The Speaker of Parliament, Mr Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has commended the Council of Ewe Associations of North America (CEANA) for its dedication to ensuring the development of Eweland.
He said government alone could not extend development projects to all parts of the country, considering the current level of economic challenges Ghana and the rest of the world were grappling with, therefore, efforts by CEANA to complement government’s work were commendable.
Mr Bagbin said this during CEANA’s 30th Anniversary convention as the Guest Speaker, held in Atlanta, United States of America (USA).
The four-day event, with focus on finding innovative ways of improving agriculture to make it attractive for the youth, took place from August 31 to September 4, on the theme: “Empowering Our Youth Towards Innovative Entrepreneurship in Transformational Agriculture.”
He urged CEANA and its associate organisations not to rest on their oars, but to continue the good work towards massive transformation, not only for Eweland but for Ghana as a whole.
Mr Bagbin called for effective collaboration between government agencies and non-governmental organisations towards the improvement of the socio-economic conditions of the citizenry.
Dr Archibald Letsa, the Volta Regional Minister, reiterated the need for a multi-stakeholder engagement to build an improved agriculture system in Ghana and the rest of Africa to ensure food security.
He said oftentimes individuals wanted to acquire huge resources before supporting a worthy course, which resulted in delays, and called for support for the Association to improve the lot of Eweland and Ghana in its entirety.
Dr Tsatsu E. Nyamadi, President of CEANA, in his welcome address, commended the Council of Representatives and the leadership of the various branches and the committees for working hard to sustain the gains made.
He used the opportunity to reach out to more people, especially Ewes across the globe, to support the Association and help raise funds to undertake more developmental projects.
Dr Nyamadi commended all donors for recently completed projects, including an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Library at Lolobi, a foot bridge at Agordoe, in Ghana, as well as a three-unit classroom block with offices and ancillary facilities at Davou, Togo.
The Association, established as a not-for- profit organisation, has been awarding scholarships to deserving students in Ghana, Togo, and Benin since 2002, with over 300 scholarships awarded to date.
Togbi Agbelorm, the Chief of Salo in the Volta Region, praised the team spirit and togetherness of all Ewes across the USA and Canada to help in the development of their motherland.
He is also known as Nana Ofei Asamani I, the Nkosuohene of Akwamufie in the Eastern region, and the CEANA representative in Ghana, Togo and Benin.
He recommended that future CEANA conventions be held on rotational basis with Ghana hosting the next one to bring all Ewes in the diaspora home to contribute to development.
The colourful event, attended by more than 800 participants from the 19 branches of the association worldwide, was graced by Mr Emmanuel Kwesi Bedzrah, the Member of Parliament for Ho West, and Chairman of the Volta Parliamentary Caucus, and Madam Della Sowah, the MP for Kpando, among other dignitaries.
GNA