About Us
The Ghanaian Union of Manitoba Inc. is a
non-profit organisation that brings together Ghanaians residing in
Manitoba. The Ghanaian community in Manitoba is engaged in various
professions and trades. The Union has cultural groups for different age
groups that participates regularly in the annual Folklorama Festival
held in Winnipeg.
History
The presence of Ghanaians in Manitoba dates back to the 1950's when
Ghanaian students came to University of Manitoba sponsored by the
government of Ghana to undertake graduate studies primarily at the
Faculty of Agriculture.
After the attainment of independence in Ghana on March 6, 1957, the
graduate studies programme was accelerated in order to produce the
personnel required to implement the development programmes and projects
initiated by the new government. Another goal of the government was to
replace the many expatriates serving in the Civil and Public Services
in Ghana.
Ghanaian immigrants however started coming to Manitoba in the early
1970s and the trend has continued to this date. Ghanaians are
concentrated in Winnipeg and Brandon with some isolated in Thompson,
The Pas, Lynn Lake, Neepawa and Minnedosa.
Ghanaians In Manitoba work in various fields - medical doctors,
engineers, dentists, university professors, teachers, automotive
mechanics, machinists, sheet metal workers, factory workers, nurses
etc. As opposed to communities such as the German, Ukranian, Polish,
and Jewish; the Ghanaian community is relatively young and small (est.
500)
The Ghanaian Union of Manitoba Inc. was formally organized and
incorporated on June 4, 1982 and immediately sought membership of the
Citizenship Council of Manitoba; thus becoming the first African group
to affiliate with the Council. The first cultural display and
performance given by the Ghanaian community took place at the Grant
Park Plaza in October 1982. The event was sponsored by the Citizenship
Council of Manitoba celebrating International Centre Day.
In 1985 Dr. Ishmael Bruce (a dentist), Dr. Janet Panford (a chemist) and Dr. Moses Agbanyo
(a microbiologist) teamed up to start the local Ghana Dance group. This
was an effort to get a group ready to perform during Ghana Independence
Day Celebrations and also honour requests made by other groups for
cultural performances. This initial group consisted of 6 men and 6
women.
It is interesting to note that at the 2005 Folklorama Africa
Pavilion, there were 4 different Ghanaian cultural groups with almost
30 members Dr. Bruce
between the ages of 4 and 55 performing various
Ghanaian dances including adowa, kpanlogo, takai and a blend of other Ghanaian dances.
Objectives
To come together as a group for solidarity and for the propagation of Ghanaian and African culture.
Past Presidents See the Past Presidents
Executive Members
President | - |
Anderson Assuah |
Vice-President | - |
Kwabena Ankoma Osei-Bonsu |
Secretary | - |
Naomi Armah |
Social Secretary | - |
Ronald Gyawu |
Assistant Social Secretary | - |
Alice Mensah |
Treasurer | - |
Paulina Mensah |
Financial Secretary Treasurer | - |
Prince Amankona |
Youth Coordinator | - |
Abdul Karim |
Member-At-Large |
- |
Patience Anaglate |
Member-At-Large |
- |
Tonny Gadagbui |
Past President | - |
Maggie Yeboah |
Meet the current Executive
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