Charles Goh Highlights CEANA’s 31 Years of Togetherness and Future Development Plans
Denver, Colorado – The recent CEANA convention in Denver marked a significant milestone as the organization celebrated 31 years of unity and progress. The keynote speaker, Mr. Charles Goh , warmly welcomed all attendees and extended heartfelt gratitude to the executives and general membership of CEANA for their remarkable developmental projects in Eweland.
Reflecting on this year’s theme, “Mina Mia Tu Ewe Dukor,” the speaker emphasized the need for CEANA, as a diaspora body, to leverage development in the region beyond occasional projects. A bold recommendation was made for CEANA to invest in a for-profit mechanized production of cassava for export, starting at Adaklu in the Volta Region. This initiative aims to secure the necessary acreage, demarcate it into manageable plots, and advertise to the youth, who would be supplied with cassava stems to cultivate and sell to a CEANA factory. An alternative out-grower model was also proposed, where individual farmers would plant cassava on their own lands and sell the produce to the factory.
Cassava, a valuable raw material for industrial starch and ethanol production, has significant export potential, with the United States and the United Kingdom accounting for about 60% of Ghana’s total cassava exports in 2018. The speaker highlighted that investing in cassava production could provide income for existing farmers, ensure food security, create jobs, generate foreign exchange earnings, and stimulate infrastructure investment. This venture would also encourage modern agricultural practices, improving productivity and efficiency, and ultimately leading to better living standards, healthcare, and educational opportunities in the region.
The keynote address also underscored the importance of sustaining the Ewe identity and culture amidst economic development. The speaker expressed concern over the diminishing salience of Ewe identity among the Gen Z population and stressed the need to cherish and preserve the culture. A call to action was made to transition from rhetoric to action, urging the community to make this project a watershed event.
Additionally, the speaker posed a thought-provoking question about whether traditional festivals in Eweland are still serving their purpose of uniting the community or if they require new concepts to make them more appealing. The speaker reminded attendees that these events were institutionalized by their forefathers to bring people together and suggested that improvements or new festivals could be introduced to engage the younger generation beyond the limits of chieftaincy’s authority. These considerations, along with many others, must be revisited for the sake of their children, identity, and culture.
In conclusion, the speaker emphasized the need for research and adaptation of customary practices to align with contemporary social behaviors. The thriving economic environment envisioned through cassava farming would support these cultural adaptations, ensuring that festivals and traditions continue to bring the community together. The speaker passionately declared, “Let’s kill ourselves fighting poverty in Eweland on our feet rather than live on our knees.”
In a generous gesture that underscored his commitment to the cause, the keynote speaker, Mr. Charles Goh, made a significant donation of $12,000 to CEANA. His contribution is set to fuel the organization’s ongoing projects and future initiatives, marking a pivotal moment in their journey towards development and unity.
The CEANA convention in Denver not only celebrated past achievements but also set a visionary path for future development, aiming to uplift the Ewe community through strategic investments and cultural preservation.
Source: SANKOFAONLINE Photo Credit: Ruben Hadzid
