|
Ghana
Golden Jubilee Interfaith Service and Cultural Celebration
Kobina Annan, Jr.
Ghanadot
On Saturday June 30, 2007 National Council of
Ghanaian Associations (NCOGA) held a special Ghana Golden
Jubilee interfaith service and cultural celebration. The
event took place at the African Burial Ground in lower
Manhattan, NY.
Many participants gathered at the park to pay homage to our
ancestors for their sacrifice to help make Ghana a reputable
country.
The African Burial Ground has become a place of symbolic,
cultural significance since 1990's when construction workers
discovered a Slave burial ground in that area, an area
covering about 26 acres of lower Manhattan including the
Wall Street enclave.
Subsequent research established that one of the slaves
buried there had links traceable to Ghana through DNA
analysis and also a Bead around her waist, which was
exclusive to a tribe in the Akan area in Ghana, hence the
cultural significance of the park to Ghanaians in the metro
area.
The opening prayer was delivered by Ghanaian Pastor George
Abossi, followed by the National Anthems of Ghana and the
United States by community leader Ms. Toni Gbologa. After
the prayers participants marched to the burial ground site.
Nii Akotwer Glover a leader in the Ghanaian community, and
an ordained Wulomo, the Fetish Priest of the Ga people in
Accra gave a traditional prayer and poured libation.
It was emotional to watch as some participants chanted and
cried. After the prayers the celebration started with music
and a social gathering.
Sponsors of the event included VIGO International Money
Transfer, North American Airlines, Money Gram International
Money Transfer, and Royal Maroc Airlines.
Picture from the ancestral burial ground
(photo by Kobina Annan, Jr) |
