UNION OF GHANAIAN ASSOCIATIONS IN GERMANY  (UGAG)

NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVES COUNCIL (NRC) MEETING IN

                  STUTTGART   -  2nd SEPTEMBER,  2006.

The meeting started at 1345 hrs with an opening prayer by Pastor Osei Kankam and the singing of the National Anthem. After self-introduction of delegates, Mr. David Kpakpo Acquaye of Stuttgart was elected to take the chair as porter.

Welcome Address: 

In his welcome address, Mr. Kwaku Appiah, the host president, urged member unions to redouble their efforts in order to move Ugag forward. He particularly was not happy with the passive attitude of some member unions, esp. from the „north“ and called on all to get more involved in Ugag’s activities.

He announced that his Union which had previously agreed to host this meeting for only 50 Euro instead of the 150  Euro part payment by Ugag was now hosting it free of charge.This drew an applause from delegates.

Address by UGAG’s Vice President: 

Mr: Ato Annobil, the Vice President of Ugag,  thanked  Mr. Kwaku Appiah, and his Union-Stuttgart, for hosting this meeting at their own costs. He informed delegates of the absence of Mr. Kwame Abrefa-Busia, the president of UGAG, who is currently in Ghana on holidays, Mr. Victor Boadu, the President of Ghana Union Berlin, who is representing UGAG at the inauguration of the Ghanaian Women’s Association in Berlin today and Mr. Peter Osei Sampene, the Financial Secretary. He also excussed the absence of Mr. Berko Ampofo and Mr Commey Bortsie who was sudendly taken ill.

The Vice President made mention of a number of activities that has taken place since our last meeting in Cologne, among others, the Football World Championsip here in Germany and thanked all  who, despite the disaster in ticket management by our FA, still all came out in their numbers to give our Black Stars the needed support. He expressed  his disappointment and, of course, UGAG’s disappointment, of how UGAG and the Embassy were sidelined when it came to distribution of tickets for the Football World Championship and hoped that something of this nature will not reoccur.

Mr. Ato Annobil, thanked  the Ghana Union Karlsruhe, Asante Union,  Brong Ahafo Union, Ga Union and the Church of Pentecost, all from Stuttgart, who were first time observers at our NRC-Meeting. He told these etnic groups that  the Ghana Unions is  in no way competing with them, but is rather aiming at bringing these bodies  together.

He hoped that they will all be attending the next meeting as full members.

Minutes form the last NRC_Meeting in Cologne::

Minutes was read by Mr. Alfred Aganah, the General Secretary. Mr. Darkey of Stuttgart moved for the acceptance of the minutes and was seconded by Mr. Akwasi Poku Edusei of Mannheim/Ludwigshafen.

Matters arrising from the minutes:

On the question of  meeting reduction, Mr. George E. Haizel of Mannheim/Ludwigshafen stated that a reduction in the number of meetings a year is reasonable because the problem is with the Local Unions and not UGAG. He explained that the Local Unions spent more money on UGAG than on their own unions. 

Mr. Oppong of Karlsruhe observed that it will do us no good, for if we reduced the number of our meetings, we may end up saving a few Euros but most of our problems will remain unsolved. Rather, he suggested the organization of activities that could generate funds for UGAG.

Mr. Kwaku Appiah was of the opinion that a healthy UGAG could be of help to Local Unions  and urged all to take their responsibilities seriously.

Mr. Thomas Appiah of Stuttgart reminded delegates of the need to pay our dues regularly. He critisized the NRC’s objection to a suggestion, at our last meeting in Cologne, that dues be paid through the bank and asked for a reconsideration of this matter. Mr. Kwaku Amponsem of Mannheim/Ludwigshafen and Mr. Owusu Sekyere of Freiburg both were of Mr.Thomas Appiah’s oppinion.

At this point, Rev. Kankam of the Church of Pentecost Stuttgart, who and his group were attending this meeting as observers asked to take leave. He thanked the NRC and  NEC for inviting them to this delegates conference and reminded union leaders that it was not easy to administer people but hoped with God’s guidience, we shall go through. He wished the meeting well.

14.45 hrs  The arrival of Hon. J.H. Mensah, Senior Minister and MP for Sunyani/ East, whose participation in this delegates conference was made known only some few hours ago. He was accompanied by Mr. P.B. Antwi Consular General, Ghana Embassy, Berlin.

 Address by a representative of the Ghana Embassy.

Mr. P.B. Antwi, in his address, welcomed Hon. J.H. Mensah to the conference and excused H.E. Mr. Kesse, Ghana’ new Ambassador to Germany who, he said, would have liked to be with us, but is currently out of the country. He hinted that H.E. intends to tour  Germany to meet with Ghanaians

Concerning the forthcoming 50 years of Ghana’s Independence, Mr. P.B.Antwi asked UGAG to come out with suggestions as to how it will want to celebrate the occassion.

He also asked UGAG to suggest names of Ghanaians or Germans who have distinguished themselves in Ghana in some way,  to be honoured during the independence celebration, and forward these names to Berlin.The criterea for selecting these Ghanaians or Germans must simply be „why I think he /she should be honoured“

Mr. Antwi  said the Embassy has envisaged a number of activities during the 50 year celebration but this, he said does not discourage individual Unions from celebrating this event on thier own.

He said our country Ghana  is in the „good books“ of this country and this explains why Ghanaians wishing to naturalise as Germans have it easier than other Nationalities.

In other that this trust is not abused, he imployed all to be of  good behaviors at all times.

Address by Hon. J.H. Mensah:

The Hon. Mr. J.H. Mensah  expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome accorded him. He informed the delegates that H.E. Mr.O. Kesse, the new Ghana’s Ambassador to Germany, asked him to join us today and try to answer questions that delegates  may have.

For the degree of national conciousness, he said, Ghanaians here should continue to keep in touch with home. Hon. J.H. Mensah acknowledged the efforts Ghanaians are making to live and succeed in this country. He informed delegates of the ermoumous task the Government at home has and said, „it is a long way but, some of the way has been gone“. He joked that since his arrival and drive from Nuremberg to Stuttgart, he saw no bad road and that showed the difference between our country and Germany but asked for patience because our economy was picking up rapidly.

Hon. J.H. Mensah critisized the ghanaian press for reporting only on negative issues i.e. the cocaine problem but keeping mute on other positive developments. He also critisized the consumption of hazardous drugs like, cocaine and heroin in Ghana, which he said was one of the causes of the high rate of criminality in Ghana and noted that these dangerous drugs were not produced or cultivated in Ghana, sadly, Ghanaians had allowed themselves to be turned into messengers of these uncrupulous people. However, the security agencies at home was working had to curb this situation.

The Senior Minister and member of Parlarment for Sunyani East, announced at the conference that, Government will not turn it’s back on Ghanaians in diaspora holding foreign passports, who wish to reclaim their Ghanaian Citizenship. Government, he said, has also instructed the Electoral Commissioner to register all who are Ghanaians by birth to enable them exercise thier franchise.

The Vice President, Mr. Ato Annobil, on  be half of UGAG, expressed his sincere gratitude to Hon. J.H. Mensah, who brought fresh home news that was gratifying to hear and wished that the new ministry that has been created to take care of Ghanaians in diaspora would pick up contact with UGAG.

Hon. J.H. Mensah took a few questions after which the conference recessed for lunch.

Confirmation:

On resumption at 17.50 hrs, Nana Boahene was confirmed as a member of the Advisory Board of UGAG.

Financial Statement: 

Could not be read to members due to the absence of the Financial

Secretary.

Ghana at 50  -  Independence Celebration:

Ghana Union Mannheim/Ludwigshafen offered to host this event. Mr. Kwaku Appiah, of Stuttgart suggested that UGAG celebrates this occassion with Berlin. Mr. Amponsem said it would be very expensive for all Local Unions to travel to Berlin for this event. Decision defered to next meeting at which time we would have kown the Embassy’s plan.

Ghana – Day  2007:

This matter was also defered to the next meeting in Landshut for

decision. Mr. Thomas Appiah of Stuttgart had earlier on wondered whether UGAG was financially and physically strong enough to hold two such great occassions in the same year.

Maters concerning Local Unions and other Matters: 

Mr. Samuel Arku of Krefeld lamented over the Embassys ina bility to answer to calls from  the Local Unions citing the recent inauguration of their Union when there was no representative from the Embassy at the occassion even though, an invitation was sent to the Embassy months before the inauguration..He hoped that the Embassy would in future address these issues properly for as he put it „ their presence at our gatherences has always  encouraged us“

Mr. Owuzu-Sekyere of the Brong-Ahafo Union, suggested that the National Executive Council (NEC) of UGAG should from time to time call Press Conferences to spell out our problems to the Authorities, both at home and here.

The new Ambassador:

Delegates agreed that the NEC should visit Berlin to welcome him and thereafter, invite him to our next meeting in Landshut.

The meeting was informed of an invitation to UGAG by the Okyeman Union, Ruhrgebiet, to their inauguration on the 30th of September, 2006.

Closing remarks:

The Vice President Mr. Ato Annobil, thanked  all esp. Stuttgart for their contributions to the success of this conference today. He wished all a safe journey back home.

20.30hrs

Closing prayer and departure.

Minutes recorded by,

Alfred Aganah,

Gen.Secretary/UGAG.