• Profile / History
• Highlights / Achievements
• Constitution

A Brief History Of The Council
By Gil Jones-Quartey

"We, the members of the various Ghanaian Associations in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area, in due recognition of our common National Heritage and shared aspirations, do hereby resolve to form the Council of Ghanaian Associations, to promote and preserve our heritage and to seek the general welfare and prosperity pf our member-organizations, while at the same time maintaining the autonomy of each association." (Preamble to the Council's Constitution)

The inauguration of the Council of Ghanaian Associations and the swearing-in of its executives in August 1990, 'by H. E. Ambassador Eric Otoo, marked the realization of the dreams of many Ghanaians who, over the preceding eight years, had hoped for, and worked diligently towards the formation of an umbrella organization. By 1980, the one "National" organization, the Ghana Community Association (GHACA), which had been operating since 1968, had seen its best years, and as significant internal turmoil threatened its existence, the community responded with the formation of myriad ethnic groups through the mid-80s.

While this phenomenon was proceeding at full throttle, the need to have these groups operate under a unifying organization has taken expression. Two isolated unification attempts were made in 1982 and 1984 without much headway. It was not until October 5, 1985 that the seminal event took place: twenty four representatives of the twelve existing associations met at the Howard Inn, operated by Howard University, at the invitation of Joseph Agyeman-Gyau, to begin working on the protocols for the unification that almost everybody desired.

The status and role of GHACA under an umbrella organization had been, and remained a contentious problem at the October 1985 and subsequent meetings (November 9, 1985 and October 18, 1986) of the community leaders. In spite of continuing difficulties, the various associations successfully co-hosted the March, 1987 Independence Dance.

However, at a conference in Arlington, Virginia, on May 7, 1987, GHACA faced a clear choice: to become one of the many associations under the umbrella or disband. The community had clearly reached a crossroads, and while GHACA was mulling over its options, plans for the new configuration were shelved.

A year of frustrating activity went by before another meeting was convened in March, 1988, by a much smaller group, including Mohammed Baba, Kudjo Ave, Sam Agyeman-Duah, Timothy Cudjoe, Nii Okai-Adjei and Gil Jones-Quartey. In quick succession, meetings were held by this group, which called itself the "Leadership Conference" on May 7, and May 21, 1988. The work of the Leadership Conference gathered tremendous momentum and significance. By February 11, 1989, it embraced all the ethnic and pan-ethnic groups, such as Ebusua, United Women of Ghana, and, indeed, GHACA. On that day, the Leadership Conference became the Council of Ghanaian Associations; work on its guidelines and Constitution then began in earnest.

After much debate and careful deliberation, the first Draft Constitution was ratified. Responding to certain developments and perceptions, the Constitution has been amended since then to reflect the wishes of the representative organizations. (GHACA formally resigned from the Council in 1993) The goals and objectives of the Council include:

1. The promotion of Ghanaian customs and culture through educational     programs
2. Serving as the mouthpiece of all member-organizations
3. Coordinating activities of member-organizations
4. Resolving conflicts among member-organizations
5. Establishing and maintaining relations with other umbrella Ghanaian     organizations in the United States and Canada
6. Celebrating Ghana's Independence, and
7. Holding jointly sponsored activities (such as the successful Ghana Bazaar in     1992). The Council believes that all the objectives will be accomplished with the     ongoing interest, support and involvement of the community.

Since its inauguration, the Council has received support, counsel, and encouragement from His Excellencies, Ambassador Eric Otoo, Ambassador Dr. Joseph Abbey, Ambassador Ekwow Spio - Garbrah, and Ambassador Koby Koomson. Each of them has served as the official Patron of the Council, and each has encouraged the Council to expand its membership to include a variety of organizations.

The Council warmly welcomes His Excellency, Ambassador Alan Kyerematen and his wife Madam Patricia Kyerematen to Washington, D.C we look forward to a mutually-rewarding relationship in the interest of all Ghanaians here and elsewhere.

Highlights / Achievements

In addition to hosting Ghana's Independence Day Celebration the Council is always hard at
Work on a myriad fronts, as evidenced by the following events:

1995

• The Council held a formal banquet for former President Jerry J. Rawlings and the former First Lady, in a joint effort with the Ghana Development Fund (GDF) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

1997

• The Council held a successful symposium on May 10, at the Ghana Embassy, in partnership with Ghana Airways. The issues at hand included: (1) the new US Immigration Law and its impact on Ghanaians residing in this country; (2) Ways to maximize one's social security retirement benefits, etc.
  
• The Council launched a letter-writing campaign to influence parliamentary debate on the dual citizenship bill we would like to take part of the credit for its eventual passage into law.

1998

• The Council organized the much talked-about "Picnic of the Year" in late summer at Candy Cane Park. Some have estimated that there were over 500 adults and children at the picnic, including Ambassador Koby Koomson and his family who wore T-shirts made for the occasion by the Council.
  
• In the works for two years, the Council inaugurated its Scholastic Achievement Award Program. This program is a beneficiary of the Council's Education Fund. The award recipients who were selected after an essay-writing contest were: 9th Grade - Miss Ayesha Osei Agyeman, daughter of Madam Maria Sarbah and Mr. Osei Agyeman; 10th Grade - Miss Angela Akyea, daughter of Rev. and Mrs. Seth Akyea; 11th Grade - Miss Abena Asamoah, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Asamoah, and the 12th Grade winner was Miss Emma Oguamena, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Godfried Oguamena.
  
• In another collaborative venture, the Council teamed up with the GDF and NDC to hold another Formal banquet for Vice-President John Attah-Mills and his delegation.

1999

• On very short notice, the Council brought Ghanaians out in their numbers to welcome President Jerry J. Rawlings and the First Lady to Washington, DC, on the occasion of their state visit in late February. Ghanaians showed up for the formal White House Welcoming Ceremony, at Blair House, at the Prayer-Breakfast at the Hyatt-Regency Hotel, and at the Embassy to bid farewell to the President and his delegation.
  
• The Council spearheaded the local fundraising effort for Ghana's National Women Soccer Team, the Black Queens, during the Women's World Cup last summer.
  

2000

• The Council played a small role in the successful bid by Ghana Airways for landing rights at the Baltimore-Washington International (BWI) airport. In appreciation of COGA's efforts in this regard, the airline treated all Council Representatives to a paid round-trip visit to Ghana, on its maiden flight from BWI. This opportunity, needless to say, turned out to be well-earned extended vacations for most of the Representatives. In addition, Council members were special guests at the formal airport ceremonies, where the keynote address was delivered by Maryland's Lt. Governor, Kathleen Kennedy Townsend.

2001

• The Council voted to publicize its activities in the form of a Newsletter, to be published within the "The New Ghanaian" newspaper, which was recently launched under the leadership of joseph "Sonny " Vanderpuye. This "partnership" is already in full bloom.
  
• COGA was granted a. place of honor, and was one of 22 participants at the first "African and Caribbean Initiative Round Table", in the main auditorium at the Montgomery County Executive Office Building in May. The forum explored a wide variety of opportunities for Empowerment and Partnership within these two communities. The keynote address was given by the Hon. Douglas Duncan, the County Executive.
  
• The Council was featured in, the Montgomery Times Newspaper in an interview with our Chairman.
  
• The Council filed its Articles of Incorporation, and now operates as a legal organization in the State of Maryland. In addition, the International Revenue Service has granted new taxpayer identification number to the Council.
  
• In June the Council's leadership met with, and presented a plaque to our Head of state, President John Agyekum Kufour, at the Embassy during his brief visit to the US.
  
• COGA hosted a send-off party for the former Head of Chancery, Mr. Kingsley Karimu and his family, for his services to the community and to Council in particular.
  
• In expression of sympathy for the families of those who died in the terrorist attack on September 11, 2001, and in keeping with the sense of loss that the U.S. and the rest of the world felt, COGA cancelled its planned annual picnic in September.
  COGA collected and donated several boxes of non-perishable foods, blankets, clothing, (including winter wear) to the Sheperd's Table Charity of Silver Spring, Maryland on December 29, 2001.
  
• The Council has demonstrated time and again that it is a fully established institution in this community, and deserves the status and respect it enjoys. This is also a reflection of the caliber of the leadership of the Council in particular, and of the representatives that the various associations send to the Council, in general there is no shortage of leadership qualities on the Council - every representative brings unique skills and experiences to the body.

2002

• On March 2, 2002, COGA completed Phase 1 of a major clean-up of the visa section and the library at the Embassy. The walls were given a fresh coat of paint; the carpet in the visa section waiting room was replaced, while the one in the library was steam-cleaned. The marble flooring between the 2 rooms was cleaned and buffed. In addition, the brass plates and handles on the doors on the first floor were polished, as were the Adinkra symbols. Phase 2 of the face-lift will include the replacement of the seats in the library, and the window blinds in both rooms. COGA is proud to have embarked on this project.
  
• The year also witnessed the Council’s hugely successful “unity festival picnic” at Bohrer Park in Gaithersburg. By conservative estimates, it was attended by at least, 500 people, mostly Ghanaians, representing the member-organizations. Gracing the occasion with his presence was H. E. Allan Kyerematen, Ghana’s Ambassador to the U.S. It was the mother of all picnics!! Among the many highlights at the picnic were the Ga-Adanme Association’s celebration of the Annual Homowo Festival, and a soccer match between the Virginia Black Stars and the Washington DC Black Stars. The victorious Virginia team was presented with a magnificent trophy by the Ambassador.
  
  The picnic was sponsored principally by Western Union, Guinness, Ghana Airways and several local Ghanaian-owned businesses. The entire event was filmed by GBC-TV for later telecast in Ghana.
  
  Winners in this year’s COGA essay competition were: Michelle Asamoah, 9th Grade, and Akua Donkor, 10th Grade. They each received a $300.00 gift certificate from Western Union, a certificate of achievement, and $100.00 from the Council.
  
  Other participants in the essay contest received consolation awards, namely: Anita Asomaning; Crystal Ofori and Andrea Acheampong. Each received $150.00 gift certificate from Western Union, $25.00 and a certificate of achievement from the Council.
  
  Congratulations to all of them.
  
  Great music was provided by Itadi Bonney and his Bakula Band.
  
• One of the Council’s most important achievements is the conceptualization, design and launching of its website: www.cogawashdc.com
  
  on December 14, 2002. The website will open COGA up to the rest of the world . The website features among other items, a profile of the Council, its Executive Officers, a list of the member-organizations, a calendar of events and a photo gallery of recent events. In addition, the site has five (5) banners for advertisements at the very low cost of $250 per banner to our advertisers.

Needless to say, the website will be updated regularly, and kept as interesting as possible. Suggestions in this regard should be channeled through the representatives of member-organizations .

Acknowledgments:

The COGA website is the brainchild of Council Chairman, Margaret S. Ampofo. Members of the Website Coordinating and Design committee are:

Gil Jones-Quartey, Ex-Officio/Chairman
Paul Gyau, Brong-Ahafo Association
Frank Kalepe, Volta Club, Inc.
Samuel Amoako-Atta, Ex-Officio
Joseph Vanderpuje, Webmaster (Designs ‘N’ Packages)

• As it did last year, the Council participated in the African-Caribbean
  Leadership Network Conference at the Montgomery County Executive Building on
  October 26, 2002. COGA was well represented by the Chairman and her
  delegation. Among the dignitaries at the conference was Kathleen Kennedy
  Townsend, outgoing Lt. Governor. It was yet another opportunity to make the
  Council’s presence felt, and gain influence. The Network’s mission is to
  enhance the African and Caribbean population’s political clout, as it
  relates to education, job opportunities, immigration, health and law
  enforcement issues.
  
• On Dec 12th 2002, the Council attended this year’s Minority Legislative Breakfast, hosted by the Asian Political Alliance, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and the African-American Chamber Commerce, at the Bethesda Marriott Hotel.

  The purpose of the session was to define Legislative Priorities affecting the immigrant and minority communities in our metropolitan area. It was yet another opportunity for the Council’s presence to be felt.
  

  
  
  

CONSTITUTION - COUNCIL OF GHANAIAN ASSOCIATIONS

As with all Constitutions, ours reflects the Council’s organic and fundamental laws, and establishes its character and essence. The basic principles by which the Council’s internal life is organized and regulated are imbedded in the Constitution, in that, it states, clearly, the parameters of the Council’s authority and functions.

As a “living” instrument, our Constitution is subject (and responsive) to change. It does this through the formal process of Amendments.

Briefly, COGA’s Constitution was ratified and promulgated on February 17, 1990, by its thirteen founding member-organizations, with ten of the organizations being present for the official signing of the document, which had taken about two years to write.

The Council’s objectives, mission and vision are incorporated in the Constitution’s Preamble, Articles I, II, and III, section 1 (i) and (ii), offered here in their entirety.

Over the years, there have been nine (9) Amendments to the Constitution’s sixteen Articles; seventeen Bye Laws have been approved and adopted. These Bye Laws spell out the precise administrative and legal mechanisms by which the Council executes its functions and mission.

For the complete text of the Council’s Constitution, please contact the Secretary or a Representative.

PREAMBLE

We, the members of the various Ghanaian Associations in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area, in due recognition and acceptance of our common national heritage and shared aspirations, do hereby resolve to form the COUNCIL OF GHANAIAN ASSOCIATIONS to promote and preserve our heritage and to seek the general welfare and prosperity of our member-Associations, while at the same time, maintaining the autonomy of each Association."

The rules, principles and procedures embodied in this instrument shall form the constitution of the COUNCIL OF GHANAIAN ASSOCIATIONS, hereinafter referred to as the council.

ARTICLE I

NAME AND LEGAL STATUS

SECTION 1

NAME: The name of the organization shall be the council of Ghanaian Associations.

SECTION 2

LEGAL STATUS: The Council shall be a Non-Profit, charitable and voluntary organization. The Council shall not be used as to promote any political cause or to support any present or future political party or candidate.

ARTICLE II

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

(i) The Council shall be the umbrella organization for the various Ghanaian Associations in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area.

(ii) The Council shall be the mouth-piece of all member-Associations in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area.

(iii) The Council shall coordinate activities planned by member-Associations.

(iv) The Council shall promote Ghanaian culture and conduct educational programs.

(v) The Council shall serve as a mediator to resolve conflicts among member-Associations.

(vi) The Council shall encourage all Ghanaians in the metropolitan area to belong to a duly established member-Association of their choice.

(vii) The Council shall encourage and promote joint ventures and events with, and among, member-Associations.

(viii) The Council shall work in the concert with similar Ghanaian umbrella organizations in North America in matters of common interest and shall mobilize Ghanaian nationals in the interest of our nation, as deemed appropriate.

(ix) The Council shall endeavor to foster better and meaningful relations with other African national Associations with similar interests.

(x) Other provisions of the Constitution notwithstanding, the Council may engage in activities, projects, programs and take actions deemed to be in the interest of the Council and/or Ghana.

ARTICLE III

Section 1

(i) Membership in the Council shall be open to all duly established Ghanaian organizations in the Washington metropolitan area.

(ii) Ghanaian Associations herein and hereafter refer to all organizations in the metropolitan area whose membership is predominantly Ghanaian.