The National Council of Ghanaian Associations (NCOGA), the main umbrella body of Ghanaian Associations in the United States of America (USA) has decided to dedicate this year’s Family Day Picnic and Mini Cultural Festival to the memory of the late President John Evans Atta Mills in recognition of his selfless and dedicated service to Ghana. This important event on the NCOGA calendar is held annually to bring together members of the various Ghanaian ethnic groups in the USA in their traditional clothing, to sing and dance to music that identifies their individual uniqueness within the Ghanaian cultural mosaic.

Mr G. OforiAnor, Executive Secretary General of NCOGA, disclosed this when members of the Association called on Ghana’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the United Nations, Mr Ken Kanda at the Ghana Mission in New York to express their condolences and sympathies on the passing of President John Evans Atta Mills.

Mr Ofori Anor announced that the event will be held at Crotona Park, 1700 Crotona Avenue, Bronx, NY 10457 from 10am to 7pm on Saturday, August 18, 2018.

“Although it is little consolation at this difficult time, it should be of some satisfaction to know that in his (President Mills) passing we can celebrate the end of a very productive personal and public life.

“The measure of our late President greatness lies not in the politics of his days but in the humane and deeply spiritual contents of a character by which he touched the lives of millions.

“We are deeply saddened by his loss.  However, if the out pouring of sympathy and condolences on his loss is any indication, and it most certainly is, we can proudly and confidently say that, his indeed was a life well-lived”, the secretary general stated.

He expressed the hope that the government and people of Ghana would find the peace and comfort he laboured so hard to bring to them.

Finally, the NCOGA congratulated President John Mahama on his installation to the high office of President and expressed confidence in his capacity to successfully steer Ghana towards peace, harmony and equal opportunities.

Ambassador Kanda who was visibly overwhelmed by the death briefed the delegation about the sudden death of President Mills and preparations being made for the funeral.

He thanked them for words of sympathy and assured them that the Mission will inform them of any future programme.

Ambassador Kanda described the late President Mills as a man of peace, dignity, honour and a blessing to Ghana.

Earlier, the members signed the book of condolence in honour of President Mission.

Meanwhile, members of the diplomatic corps, the Ghanaian community among other groups continues to pour in daily to the Ghana Mission in New York to sign a book of condolence, which was opened on Thursday, July 26 in honour of the late Ghanaian.

Source: Harry Raynold

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