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MINUTES – GDI 2007 SUMMIT –
NEW YORK
GaDangmes from around the world gathered in New
York, NY for the 7th annual GaDangme International (GDI)
summit on Memorial Day weekend (May 25th through May
28th, 2007)
Delegates and member organizations from Atlanta, New
Jersey, New York, Philadelphia, Delaware,
Washington/California, North Carolina, Amsterdam
(Holland) and Ghana were present.
Mr. Isaac Nortey of New York, the moderator,
introduced Adelaide Sackeyfio of New York who gave
the exhortation and welcomed participants. She later
blessed the occasion with the opening prayers.
Nii Akushey, Wulomo of New Jersey performed a
masterful libation.
The president of the GDI, Mr. Lance Amoo of Southern
California and Seattle was introduced. Mr. Amo said
GaDangmes from around the world have come to the
summit because they care for the welfare of fellow
GaDangmes. He gave a general report on the
achievements of the GDI within the last year and
called on GaDangmes to stay the course.
SPEAKERS
Hon. Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, Minister of Tourism &
Diasporan Affairs
Jake recounted the significant roles played by
GaDangmes to Ghana’s independence and development
(three of the Big Six were GaDangmes). He said
GaDangmes are the most hospitable people in the
world. Jake said GaDangmes brought Dr. Nkrumah to
Ghana and urged GaDangmes to be active in all the
political parties. He wondered why GaDangmes are
generally discouraged from politics. He said
GaDangmes have turned their backs on the NPP, a
party they helped to start. “If you don’t get into
politics, you will be ruled by fools” Jake stated.
He said GaDangmes, who were once the intelligentsia
have now sunk into irrelevance; He called for a
solid GaDangme middle class to help reverse this
unfortunate trend.
He said GaDangmes are divided everywhere; in Ghana
and abroad. He cited the divisions brought about by
the installations of a Ga and Gbese Mantse. He also
questioned the need to have two GDI summits on the
same date. He urged unity among GaDangmes if they
are to make any progress.
Jake, who announced at the summit that he is seeking
his party’s nomination for the president of Ghana in
the 2008 general elections said GaDangmes are
sitting on the most valuable real estate in Ghana
and yet poor. He stated that the destruction of
Makola Market and the construction of the Tema
Harbor eroded the wealth base of GaDangmes.
He said the King Tackie Tawiah Memorial Market and
other projects might help GaDangmes.
He mentioned the deplorable and hopeless conditions
in James Town where some sleep on the streets and 12
year-olds having babies.
Ghana’s economy is not at pace with its population,
Jake said. He said the last 20 years have been
characterized by bad governance.
Hon. Mr. Joseph Emmanuel Allotey-Pappoe
Mr. Allotey –Pappoe thanked the GDI for their
support during the Late Ga Mantse’s funeral in
Accra. He paid glowing tribute to Dr. K.B. Asante,
president of the GaDangme Council in Accra. He said
K.B. Asante, whose father is a Kwahu and the mother
from Otublohun continues to lead the Council ably.
K.B. Asante made sure the Redevelopment Plans for
Accra was in the interest of GaDangmes, Mr.
Allotey-Pappoe reported. He outlined the objectives
of the GaDangme Council, and said the Council is for
all GaDangmes. He said the Gadangme Council is
dedicated to promoting GaDangme unity and heritage
of their common ancestry. He said since Gas form
about 8% of Ghana’s population, at has always been
necessary to form alliances with others. He said
this “Ablekuma” policy is a strategy. He asked
GaDangmes to adopt a strategy to deal with their
numerous challenges. He also stated the unique
contributions of GaDangmes to Ghana’s developments
Mr. Allotey-Pappoe said most GaDangme history is not
recorded, and stated that before Yaa Asantewaa,
there was Dode Akaibi Mr.
Allotey-Pappoe called for the creation of an
“Assembly of GaDangme Chiefs” Such a body would
comprise of the youth and the chiefs, among others.
He said the Ga Traditional Council (GTC) is a
government creation and that the Ga Mantse stool is
not a paramountcy .
On education he said most GaDangmes are financially
handicapped, affecting the education of their
children and called for the formation of a “GaDangme
Education Trust” He decried the practice of sending
GaDangme teachers outside the Gadangme area, thereby
creating shortages of GaDangme teachers .Ga is the
first indigenous written language in Ghana, he said;
He called for efforts and funds to teach and write
Ga and Dangme languages. He suggested the reprinting
of old GaDangme books such as “Adotey Shalen Kome”
He said the division within the GDI is of major
concern in Accra and pledged to lead the unity
efforts. He called for a unity summit as soon as
possible.
Dr. Benjamin Dodoo, New York
Dr. Dodoo urged GaDangmes to dig into their own
history to learn more about themselves. He called
for just compensation for GaDangme lands and a
special tax for people coming to Accra. Such a tax,
he suggested could be used to build GaDangme
schools. He said the Ga and Dangme language was even
spoken during biblical times and GaDangmes have a
unique culture.
Dr. Dodoo said the contribution of GaDangmes in
sports, especially boxing is unequalled in Africa!
He mentioned that Bukom alone has produced more
boxing champions than anywhere in Africa.
Dr. Dodoo estimated about one million people speak
Ga and Dangme in Ghana.
Dr. Dodoo, whose power point presentation chronicled
the history and contributions of GaDangmes called
for funding for such projects.
Nene Asture Benta III, Mankralo, Prampram
Nene Benta, who spoke on the topic “Chieftaincy in
Modern Ghana” said the institution of chieftaincy
have served not only as the centerpiece for
mobilizing people for communal development but also
the effective link between the people and the
central administration.
The Mankralo admitted that such a link has become
contentious and at times tenuous over the years due
largely to the progressive erosion of the power base
of chiefs upon the introduction of modern structures
of government. He said various governments from
colonial to civilian to military have one way or the
other tried to influence the role of chiefs in
political affairs.
The Mankralo said the institution of chieftaincy in
Ghana is under threat of many succession disputes
being caused by unscrupulous characters who are
non-royals but because of wealth, and sometimes
their political connections influence kingmakers to
nominate them as chiefs. This, they do by
circumventing tradition and custom which have
decreed who qualifies as a chief and thereby
creating tension in some communities.
The situation in Ga Traditional Area where after the
death and burial of the late Ga Mantse Nii Amugi II,
two ruling houses or more are contesting for the
vacant position and the least said about it the
better, he concluded.
The Mankralo also called for unity among GaDangmes.
Naa Aforkor Omaedro II
Naa Aforkor Omaedro II, Katamanso -Ta Manye called
for unity among GaDangmes and cautioned against
using the internet to insult our chiefs.
She called for tolerance and respect for our chiefs.
Nii Martey Kwao
Nii Martey Kwao, a Progress and Development chief of
Prampram announced the construction of a health
center in Prampram. This health center, according to
Nii Martey Kwao has an emergency ward and an
ambulance and is 90% complete.
He called for support for the project and also urged
unity among GaDangmes.
Nii Kwao is an event producer and a member of the
GaDangme Association of Georgia.
Dr. James Ocansey
Dr. Ocansey, president of West African Caustic Soda
and Salt Industries Ltd. (WACSSIL) invited all to
invest in his company.
WACSSIL was incorporated in Ghana in 2002 and has
acquired a large piece of land (247.6 acres) at the
Akplabanya area near the Songor Lagoon.. The project
hopes to generate 128,000 metric tons of salt per
year, with an estimated annual cash profit of $3.019
million USD; requiring a capital input $6.0 million.
The project is also expected to generate over 1000
jobs.
The company is completing requirements for a mining
license to legalize the shares. 1% of an annual
profit of $2,000,000 a year is $20,000 when the
company is in full production. For this promotion, a
share is presently being offered for $500.00.
Nii Yartey (GFM Radio)
Nii Yartey talked about how he has been able to
reach out to GaDangmes all over the world through
his weekly radio broadcast on GFM Radio. He said
both GFM Radio and Obonu FM are not GaDangme owned
and called on GaDangmes to establish their own radio
stations.
Nii Yartey wondered why the people of Ada are that
impoverished despite their salt resources.
Nii Yartey also called for unity among GaDangmes
everywhere; He said GaDangme MP’s are not even
united
Solidarity from other GaDangme Associations
Solidarity statements and greetings were received
from GaDangme associations worldwide, including the
Accra Unity Association in New York, GaDangme
Heritage, Ada Okorbi Association of New York,
GaDangme associations of Holland, North
Carolina, Tennessee,
GDI NOW A GLOBAL ORGANIZATION
The GDI amended its constitution to open membership
to not only GaDangme associations in North America,
but to GaDangme associations worldwide.
Thereafter, the GaDangme Association of Amsterdam,
Holland joined.
RESOLUTIONS
At the end of the presentations, the GDI resolved
to:
• Pursue unity with the GDI Alliance
The GDI also reaffirmed earlier resolutions namely:
• The GDI Called for the immediate halt to the
practice and policy of sending GaDangme teachers to
other regions. The GDI believes this practice
creates artificial shortage of GaDangme teachers in
the Greater Accra Region, making it possible to
teach other languages in schools in the Greater
Accra Region.
• The GDI expressed concern about non-indigenes
representing GaDangmes in the GaDangme region. It
asked the Government and Parliament to address this
issue.
• “Service Center” at the Old Accra Beach to service
and repair broken outboard motors to serve the
fishing community.
• Continue to upgrade its adopted schools:
(a) Christ The King Of Kings, by the Jamestown Beach
(b) Happy Days Academy in the Otublohun district
(C) Jewish Preparatory School in James Town.
2008 Summit Host
North Carolina will host the next summit in May 2008
New Officers
According to the constitution, elections were held
and the following were elected to a two-year term:
President: Reginald Nii Ofei Darko – New Jersey
Vice President: Edward Nii Amah Mettle – New Jersey
Executive Secretary: Reuben Nii Oto Darku – Atlanta
Assist. Executive Secretary: Torto- Morgan – Holland
Treasurer: Nii Okai Am-Quaye – Holland
Financial Secretary: Stanley Lokko – New York
Public Relations Officer: Fred Huffman –
Philadelphia/Delaware
Assist. Public Relations Officer: Delia Okai-Agbozo
– North Carolina
The summit was broadcast live worldwide on GFM
Radio.
Reuben Darku
Executive Secretary
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