The Council of Ewe Associations of North America (CEANA) celebrated its 24th annual convention on Labor Day Weekend, August 31st – September 3rd 2017, at the Marriott Hotel, Tarrytown, New York. The theme, “Improving Health Delivery Systems in Eweland”, was selected to address healthcare challenges that currently face the people of Eweland. The convention focused on raising funds for the various projects and programs of CEANA, including scholarship awards to high school students in Ghana, Togo and Benin.
Dr. Peter N. Abotchie, President of CEANA, opened the delegates conference with a welcome message on Friday, September 1st, with representatives from 17-member associations from cities across the United States and Canada. The President and Director of Administration, Mr. Moses Mensah, handled the agenda for the morning which included a review of activities for the year, approval of project reports and budget for the coming year. The evening was capped with a spectacular cultural performance by the host association, United Volta Association.
The General Conference, held on the morning of Saturday, September 2nd, featured several presenters on the subjects of health, TV broadcasts and school curricula in Ewe. Mr. John Harold Ahiable shared the benefits of teaching Mathematics & Science in Ewe; Ms. Jane Kwawu spoke on improving health and safety for women and children; Ms. Dzifa Attivor, former Ghanaian Deputy Minister of Transport, delivered a presentation about the utility and the potential contribution of TV broadcasts in the Ewe language. Dr. Bernard Gadagbui spoke on good nutrition while Dr. Koku Gasinu presented on the signs, symptoms and emergency care for stroke.
Professor Seth Ablordeppey, the keynote speaker at the evening banquet, delivered a compelling presentation on the pharmacological potential of local plants to treat prevalent health conditions among the people of Eweland. The Volta Regional Minister, Dr. Archibald Letsa, spoke to outline investment opportunities in the Volta Region, and tasked CEANA’s leadership to sponsor development projects in coordination with the Regional Coordinating Council.
In his address for the evening, the President of CEANA, Dr. Peter Nat Abotchie, recalled the legislative and project accomplishments of CEANA in the past year, and also called on all Ewes to regard the task of community development in Eweland as everyone’s collective responsibility. He referenced CEANA’s completed school projects at Vui in Keta, the ongoing rehabilitation of a large clinic in Amouzoukope in Togo, as well as the upcoming footbridge project in Agordoe near Akatsi.
The highlight of the evening, the annual fundraiser and solicitation for membership of the CEANA Star Club, led by Mr. William Kumah, drew contributions and pledges from guests in attendance. The backdrop for the fundraiser was provided by video footage of the completed projects undertaken by CEANA for the past year. The evening was rounded off with the official transfer of the mandate to host the next CEANA Convention to Ewe Canadian Cultural Organization of Ontario, Toronto (ECCOO), led by Mr. Prince Gbeklui, who was sworn in as the 2nd Vice President of CEANA.
A well-attended non-denominational church service was held the next morning, officiated by Rev. Charity Goh, Rev. Dr. Peter Agbeli, Rev. Martin Osae, Rev. Grace Anku. The sermon was delivered by Rev. Ben Dotse Malor. Thereafter, convention guests converged on Georges Island Park for the annual CEANA Picnic which featured dishes from Eweland amid agbadza and borborbor music. Sunday evening was crowned with misegli loo, a rendition of a cultural pastime of evening story-telling. On Monday, September 4, 2014, convention delegates and guests departed to their various home destinations across North America, Ghana, Togo, Benin and Europe with a renewed sense of unity, friendship and purpose.
The following resolutions were adopted:
1.Scholarship awards for qualified High School students
2. Criteria and process for award of High School scholarships in the Volta Region
3. Completion of the Clinic Project in Amouzoukope
4. Construction of footbridge over rivers in Agordoe
5. Approval of ECCOO as the host of the 2018 CEANA Convention
On behalf of the CEANA Secretariat and the CEANA Council of Representatives, the President of CEANA, Dr. Peter Nat Abotchie, congratulates the delegates, guests and United Volta Association for making CEANA 2017 a success. Special appreciation goes to CEANA Vice Presidents, Dr. Tsatsu Nyamadi and Mr. Napoleon Sefordzi, and our invited dignitaries, Volta Regional Minister, Hon. Archibald Letsa, Professor Seth Ablodeppey, Ms. Dzifa Attivor, and Nana Ofei Asamani I for their immense and selfless contributions to the 2017 CEANA Convention. Appreciation for media coverage and credit goes to Reuben Hadzide, Sankofaonline.com | ACN News | Fabweb Solutions Inc.