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Ghana Independence Day Anniversary Celebration in Paris

Ghanaians and friends of Ghana in and around Paris gathered last Saturday night (06/03) at the Espace de Chevreul, Nanterre, to join celebrations in Ghana and in the diasporas to mark the 53rd anniversary of Ghana's gain of independence from British colonial rule. The KENTE Dinner Dance event was organised by the Federation of Ghanaian Associations in France (FEDGHAF) in partnership with the Ghana Embassy in France and the Brussels Airline. It was a colourful and a well attended event as participants – young and old – assembled in their indigenous Kente clothes of all brands and styles.

more info and pictures soon...

Un "Léopard des neiges" à l'assaut de Vancouver !

A man who grew up in a country without snow is to become the first Ghanian to compete in the Winter Olympics later this month when he straps on his skis to tackle the Alpine downhill.

 

35-year old Kwame Nkrumah-Acheampong, aka the Snow Leopard, only saw snow for the first time five years ago and is now set to compete against the world's top skiers. After teaching himself to ski on indoor slopes in the UK, Nkrumah-Acheampong broke on the international circuit - he's the first black African skier to do so "It has been four years of heartache, sweat and a lot of tears away from my family," said Kwame after scraping through qualifying to bag a place at the Winter Olympics.

"I feel great about competing and all my friends in Ghana think it is really cool. I am very proud of my heritage and being a role model for other Africans and Ghanaians to follow their dream,” he added.

His story is similar to the Disney film, Cool Runnings, about the Jamaican bobsleigh team's debut at the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary. We’ll certainly be looking out for the Snow Leopard when the Games begin on February 12.

source : Ghanaweb

"Let's speak Twi" for the French... at last !!!

We've been expecting it for so long :  the french guide on Twi language was finally issued a couple of days ago, thanks to Dr Kofi ADU MANYAH, an eminent franco-ghanaian scientist and researcher at Strasbourg University !

This book is more than a Twi learning method, it is also an introduction to the rich Akan culture of Ghana, and can be read by anyone curious about the formerly called 'Gold Coast'.  

Dr Kofi ADU MANYAH is a Language Sciences lecturer, who also wrote, in french, "Introduction to african phonetics and phonology. Sounds of daily life : the Akan case (twi)", and co-published, in 1999, "Slaveries and  bondages of yesterday and today".

On sales at your favourite bookshops, and on l'Harmattan Editions website

Support of the Region "Ile de France" for a new health facility Centre at Ahienya

Friday 29th of January, the French Ambassador, HE Francis HURTUT, in the name of the French Region "Ile de France", has cut the tape for the new Health Centre built at Ahienya, a community close to Dodowa where the NGO OrphanAid Africa is sustaining foster families taking care of vulnerable children. 

More than 500 persons will benefit from this new facility, amounting 58 000 euros, jointly supported by the Ghanaian authorities and some foreign donors. The French Region called "Ile de France", composed of elected members, has financed a total of 10 000 euros.

Source : www.ambafrance-gh.org - More info ...

31/01/10 - CAN 2010 - Egypt strike late to down Stars in final

From telegraph.co.uk

Egypt won the African Cup of Nations for the third time in a row yesterday after substitute Mohamed Gedo scored in the 85th minute to earn a 1-0 victory over Ghana in the final. Tournament debutant Gedo curled in a shot from within the area to give Egypt its record seventh title.

Until then it looked as if Ghana were going to win. They had played every game of the tournament at this stadium and knew how to negotiate the stodgy pitch, something the usually fluid-passing Egyptians struggled with. Ghana created a series of chances in the closing stages, the excellent Asamoah Gyan going close with two free-kicks and Agyemang Opoku not quite able to get on the end of Samuel Inkoom’s low cross.

Understandably, they were disconsolate at the final whistle. However, with four players from the side that won the World Under-20 Championship starting the game and Michael Essien to return from injury, there is no reason why this generation of Ghanaians cannot dominate the continent in the way the Egyptians have.

With Stephen Appiah, Sulley Muntari, John Mensah and John Paintsil also to return, England will be wary of meeting the Black Stars in the first knockout round in South Africa this summer.

 

Happy New Year from the SANKOFA team ! We wish you all the best for 2010, with lots of projects, enthusiasm, joy, friendship and love !

Launching of the 1st High Vibes festival in Accra - Nov. 2009

Ghanaian Dance Show at Chocolate Trade Fair in Paris

The 15^th edition of the annual Chocolate Trade Fair ("Salon du Chocolat") at Paris reached its climax last weekend (17/18-10-09) with attendance at its peak. This acclaimed Trade Fair attracted chocolate manufacturers and confectionaries from all walks of life – from Sao Tome & Principe to Luxembourg. Though the Monde Selection award winning Golden Tree Chocolate from Ghana was not found on the exposition stands, the country’s name was mentioned, with precision by the MC of the animation stage, as the second world leading exporter of Cocoa - the main raw material that makes chocolate. This was during the splendid Ghanaian dance performances portrayed by the young dancers of the "Association Préparons l’Avenir de nos Enfants" (APAE).

More pictures ? Just click here !

The association, based at St. Brice near Paris, was headed by the dynamic Mrs. Mary Amoako, a social worker of Ghanaian origin. The public at the fair were entertained to a well choreographic ‘highlife’ dancing steps and body movements that was a delight to watch.

Surely, the dancing group of APAE will be there next year for the 16^th edition of the fair, and we also expect to see a Ghanaian stand exhibiting one of the finest chocolates in the world. So, over to you Cocoa Processing Company, producer of Golden Tree chocolates; Kuapa KoKoo, joint owners of Divine chocolate; and Omanhene Cocoa Beans Company, producer of Omanhene chocolate ! The commercial/business affairs section of the Ghana Embassy in France should assist in this direction to promote processed cocoa products of Ghana, and to enhance the Ghanaian economy.

From 4th to 7th June, Afriqu'à Muret 2009 : come and meet us there !

"Our children" special entertainment night with APAE !

The franco-ghanaian Madam Mary Amoako has done it again ! That Saturday 9th May was a special occasion for the children of the Association "Préparons l’Avenir de nos Enfants" (APAE).

More pictures ? Just click here !

As president of APAE, Madam Amoako galvanised the 70 children that the association works with to give a tremendous entertaining performances at the Silvia Monfort theatre in Saint Brice, a suburb north of Paris. This was the 3^rd edition of their annual ‘Special Night’. The town hall theatre was filled to capacity as the children and other guest artists treated the public to a variety of entertaining performances featuring cat-walk fashion show, traditional dances from Africa and the Caribbean, contemporary hip-hop dances, recital of folk tales from Africa, a drama , and a gospel music concert. The public was amazed and impressed by the performances of the children. APAE through its educational support programme for the children, mostly of ethnic minority background, have exposed the children to extra-curriculum activities that gave them the opportunity to excel, thrive and grow within their communities. Our children need solid socio-cultural foundation to develop their abilities and capacities, and APAE exists to offer this foundation to these children.

Madam Amoako in her brief comment expressed appreciation to the Saint Brice local authority for their support. She also thanked other invited artists, the volunteers of APAE, the technicians of Silvia Monfort theatre, the parents of the children, and other partner associations for their participation and contribution in making the nights’ event a success. She looks forward to the same support and enthusiasm for next years’ programme.

A section of the Ghanaian community were there to support and encourage their compatriot, Madam Amoako, for the good work she is doing for, and with the children. Among them were Mr Ohene-Akonor, President of SANKOFA, Mr Patrick Dumorine, Webmaster of GHACIF, Mrs Gina Takie-Tagoe, a professional dancer (who also performed this night), Mrs Ntim-Akoto Dosia, a writer of children novels, Mr Jake Kwaku Yirenkyi Anderson, a photographer and anthropologist (author of the pictures of the show !), Mr Alex Baker, a renowned veteran pianist (who also performed on the nights’ gospel concert), and many others.

A library for the village of Batabi : BOA, here we go !

Batabi Oyoko Akwaaba was inaugurated last Friday 27th March in Cenon, near Bordeaux. This association, also named BOA and led with passion by Michèle Ouvrard, its president, aims to implement development projects in the village of Batabi, located in the Eastern Region of Ghana. Her first objective is to create there a multimedia and bilingual english-french library, and to rehabilitate the school of the village : 

more info on www.myspace.com/associationbatabi

SANKOFA and GHACIF attended the inauguration in solidarity with BOA, as well as many artists who entertained participants to soul, funk, and traditional african music and dance, within an atmosphere of friendship and solidarity. The President of GHACIF Hon. Michael Osei-Mensah gave a speech in appreciation of what BOA and the community of Cenon is doing towards the educational development of the needy children of Batabi. GHACIF motivated them in this noble effort by the award of certificates of recognition.

The call for donation of items for the children of Batabi was well responded with lots of clothes, games, and books to fill the shelfs of the village library !

Click here and watch some pictures of this memorable event !

Reserve your copies of Asanteman Calendar 2009 !

A full colour A2 (40cm x 60 cm) laminated photo calendar, illustrated with 13 exclusive photos of the King of Ashanti, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, by award-winning Paris-based Ghanaian photographer and designer, Jake Kwaku Yirenkyi Anderson.

zoom calendar

Meet the artist in person for your 'autographed' calendars at a special ceremony in Paris soon.

A new President elected in Ghana !

From allAfrica.com (5 January 2009)

Opposition presidential challenger John Atta Mills has won Ghana's presidency at his third attempt, returning the National Democratic Congress (NDC) founded by former President Jerry Rawlings to power after eight years out of office.

The chairman of the Electoral Commission of Ghana, Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, announced in Accra on Saturday that Atta Mills had won 50.23 percent of the vote, while Nana Akufo-Addo of the National Patriotic Party (NPP) won 49.77 percent.

The African Elections Project (AEP) reports from Accra that the commission's certified results showed that the NDC won 4,521,032 votes and the NPP 4,480,446 votes. The commission said 72.91 percent of the country's 12,472,758 voters had cast ballots.

Atta Mills previously lost two elections to the now outgoing President John Kufuor - first in 2000, when Rawlings' term of office came to an end, and again in 2004. His election marks the second successive victory of an opposition candidate at the end of an outgoing president's term of office. (...)

Read the full article

Havana Cafe Party on 24th December : you are invited !

Brand New : the 2009 edition of the 'Petit Futé' French Guide on GHANA !

Freshly printed, the latest edition of the only guide on Ghana written in French : lots of 'what to do', 'what to see', so that you enjoy your stay in Ghana ! Sold eveywhere, more info on www.petitfute.com

High-Life Reggae Night with Kwesi SELASSIE at Toulouse !

In a last minute arrangement to express Ghana-Guinea friendship and solidarity due to this years' 50 anniversary celebration of Guinean independance, SANKOFA managed to get Ghana-Canadian reggae maestro Kwesi SELASSIE to share the stage with Toulouse based Guinean reggae star SOULEYMANE in a concert that took place on the 24th of october at the Havana Cafe in Ramonville, a suburb of Toulouse. Though attendance was below expectation, the two artists and their musicians entertained the sparsely crowd to a spectacular dub soul, funky and high-life reggae tunes mostly from their latest albums. Most of the spectators left with a copy of these new albums personnaly signed by the artists. Watch the pictures !

Kwesi SELASSIE wearing the Ghana flag

SELASSIE and SOULEYMANE resolved to collaborate for another joint show next year, probably touring other cities in France. We look forward to promote these artists again in the near future.

Enoch EFFAH : stronger than ever !

11^th October :  launching of "Ghana, country of Gold and Kente" exhibition

Saturday 11th October, “la Maison des Associations” of Toulouse was thrown into a festive mood draped in the colours of Africa, on the occasion of the launching of a one week photo exhibition under the theme « Ghana, country of Gold and Kente » organized by SANKOFA. 

Mr. Jean-Paul MAKENGO, deputy mayor of Toulouse in charge of Socio-cultural diversity and integration, appreciated this unprecedented and exhilarating image of Africa, through the eye of the photographer Jake Kwaku Yirenkyi ANDERSON on traditions very present in a country which was called before its independence, in 1957, the Gold Coast. And gold, there is always in Ghana, as testified by the golden jewels and ornaments of the traditional leaders and their court when they strut about, whilst also draped in the precious hand weaved Kente clothes, on festive occasions which can gather thousands of people. Jake's photographs radiate energy and life, and their realism draws us away in a festive mood.

After a visit of the exhibition, commented by the author, the numerous invited guests met around a friendly cocktail which extended into the night, interpose with steps of traditional Ghanaian dance and “Highlife”.

pictures of the event here

Many thanks to all those who joined us for that special event, especially Michael OSEI-MENSAH, president of GHACIF in Paris, Michèle AYISI, president of the Batabi Oyoko Akwaaba association in Bordeaux, and Kofi ANSAH, founder of the Kundum traditional group in Bordeaux too.

The exhibition in Toulouse is now over, it will soon find another welcoming place and impress new visitors. And even many more photos are to come, as Jake collected so many pictures of his beloved native land, and Ghana self keeps so many secrets to reveal ...

Photo exhibition on GHANA at Toulouse, 11-18 october 2008

SANKOFA in collaboration with Jake Kwaku Yirenkyi ANDERSON a Franco-Ghanaian photographer and anthropologist, invites you all to come and have a look at our  Photo Exhibition on the theme  "Ghana , a country of Gold & Kente" from 11th to 18th October, 2008 at "La Maison des Associations" of Toulouse

For all further information contact SANKOFA (05 61 20 55 26 / 06 72 25 64 39)

SAM'AFRICA from 05^th to 07^th september 2008 : SANKOFA was there !

Pictures of the event available now : just click here !

See the programme        Visit the festival website

Lights on Ghana in "L'Afrique Enchantée", a summer african programme on France Inter radio

Ghana happened to be the star, the Black Star, of the excellent radio programme "L'Afrique Enchantée", on France Inter radio this week !

Please don't cry : if, like us, you missed that great opportunity to travel and dream cheap on High Life rythms, a magic click on the links below will take you abroad, far far far away toward the Gold Coast. Enjoy the trip then, and give us some feed back !

Tuesday 15th July : Ghana (1)

Wednesday 16th July : Ghana (2)

Wassa'n Africa : Ghana at Launac festival (31)

The african festival of Launac went on from 5th to 6th July. SANKOFA presented a Ghana stand, with the friendly participation of two other associations : ANKAFUL and ORINOKO.

See pictures of the event ...

D-MADE Grant Competition ends in Brussels : a certificate of recognition for SANKOFA as a finalist of the competition

The President of SANKOFA, Mr Alfred OHENE-AKONOR, returned last Wednesday (26/06) from Brussels Belgium after participating in a 2 day (23-24 June, 2008) finalists event of the World Bank initiated Development Marketplace for African Diaspora in Europe (D-MADE). This distinctive programme seeks to showcase and celebrate some of the admirable efforts that seek new ways to reduce poverty in sub-Saharan Africa, led by its own children : its Diaspora.

D-MADE is a competitive grant program that rewards creative and innovative development projects through recognition, grant prizes, cross-learning and networking. The initiative aims at supporting best entrepreneurial ideas by African Diaspora residing in Europe for projects implemented with a partner in sub-Saharan Africa. The theme for this first edition is “Promoting Diaspora Investment Projects and Innovative Entrepreneurial Activities in Africa”.

SANKOFA reached the final stage of the competition of 70 finalist projects (there were 6 from Ghana) after its project on ‘Improved Drinking Water Source’ was chosen from a pool of 507 applicants who responded to an open call for proposals during the fall of 2007.

Sixteen laureates were finally selected and awarded grant prizes ranging from €15,000 to €40,000. The rest of the finalists all received a certificate of recognition for their business ideas.

Read the press release about this event

Sod cuting : KUMASI roads and urban development project financed by the French Agency for Development (AFD)

His Excellency John Agyekom Kufuor, President of Ghana, and His Excellency Pierre Jacquemot, French Ambassador to Ghana, jointly cut the sod of the Kumasi Roads and Urban Development Project on Saturday 21st of June, 2008. The total cost of this project amounts to 37 million Euros. 

The objective of the project is to eliminate one of the main traffic bottlenecks at the entrance of the City through the construction of the south-east missing link of the ring road of Kumasi, the enlargement of the Lake Road and the construction of an interchange between the by-pass and the Lake Road.

Enoch EFFAH, Kickboxing World Champion visits Ghana

The heavyweight kickboxing world champion, french of ghanaian origin, received a heroe's welcome on his arrival at the Kotoka International Airport of Accra, on the 3rd of June.

While back in France, Enoch intends to maintain the links with Ghana to help develop french kickboxing over there. In Ghana, the only sporting hall dedicated to that sport is named after... Enoch Effah !

See the full report on Enoch Effah's journey in Ghana (Ghacif website)

Visit of French MPs and businessmen in Ghana

A delegation of four French members of Parliament paid an official visit to Ghana from Thursday 5th to Friday 6th of June. The delegation met the Vice President, Ministers at the Presidency, some members of Parliament, Hon. Gyan Baffour, Minister of State at the ministry of Finance and Economic planning. They visited the Campus of the University of Ghana at Legon where is situated the recently opened “Maison Française”.

An important delegation of French businessmen, organised by MEDEF (French Business Confederation), also visited Ghana from the 10th to the 12th of June. That visit had three main objectives :

• evaluating the general business climate in Ghana and promoting exchange & investments opportunities
• strengthening the relationship between MEDEF and its Ghanaian counterpart, the Private Enterprise Foundation (PEF). A Memorandum of Understanding will be signed in this perspective between both organisations
• interactions with the French business community based in Ghana.

More info on the French embassy website

SANKOFA SOUL CONTEST Finals

Friday 05th JUNE, Agyei Osei went on stage for the finals of the Sankofa Soul Contest. He didn't win, but his course was remarkable indeed. We'll hear from him again for sure ! See you then Agyei, and may your voice lead you far !

Toulouse MANDELA Football Tournament : Ghana won Bronze !

Saturday 31^th May, 2008 the local Ghanaian football team of Toulouse (the Sankofa Flying Comets) won against Senegal (3-1) for the 3rd place in the 2008 MANDELA Football Tournament, an annual football competition regrouping local African football teams at Toulouse to foster unity and solidarity among the African communities.

Accra 13-15 May : Ghana Association of French Teachers @50

The ‘Ghana Association of French Teachers’ (GAFT), founded in 1958, is celebrating this year its 50th anniversary. On that occasion, a convention will be held from May 13th to 15th 2008 on the following topic : ‘French language in an English-speaking environment.’

see the programme...

French language teaching in Ghana : 2,7 million GHC from the French Government

On Wednesday April 23rd 2008, the Ambassador of France, H.E. Pierre Jacquemot, and the Minister for Education Science and Sports of the Republic of Ghana, H.E. Pr Dominic Kwaku Fobih, were to sign a 2.7 million Ghana cedis (1.8 million euros) agreement to implement a three-year project to “improve the French language teaching in Ghana”.

Read more ...

Inauguration of Toulouse Asanteman Kroye Kuo

Saturday 19th April, the Ghanaian community of Toulouse gathered to celebrate the inauguration of the Asanteman Kroye Kuo, an association of the Ashanti ethnic group in Toulouse.

Kufuor chairs the Alliance for Africa Foundation

Paris, March 21^st : President John Agyekum Kufuor has been named Chairman of the "Alliance for Africa Foundation", a new global effort at mobilising support to help the continent to unlock its potential and reduce poverty.

The announcement was made at a well-patronised meeting with African Ambassadors in Paris, where the initiative was formally outdoored.

The Foundation, whose priority focus is on capacity building in education with special emphasis on Vocational Training, health, agriculture and the public services is being promoted by influential leaders from across the world.

Italy, a key driving force behind the initiative, has already committed 10 million Euros as seed money for its take off.

Francophonie Day 2008 in Ghana

On March 20^th, original events across the World took place for the International Day of La Francophonie, an occasion to celebrate the French language. In Ghana, the Francophonie was celebrated too. Let’s keep in mind that Ghana is an associated member of the 'Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie' and surrounded by francophone countries (Ivory Coast, Togo, Benin, Burkina Faso …). The International Day of La Francophonie contributes to solidarity, cooperation and peace in the world. 

Click on the logo to visit the OIF Organisation internayionale de la francophonie website :

Official opening of the 'Maison Française' in Accra

The project of a French Centre with both academic and cultural missions on the Legon campus originated in 2005 in a discussion between the Vice-Chancellor and the French Ambassador. Following an agreement signed with the University of Ghana, the French Embassy has thus established the Maison Française.

The facilities include a Resource Information Centre on the pursuit of higher education studies in France, a digital language laboratory with a sitting capacity of 10 dedicated to crash courses in French for Ghanaian students wishing to get their PhD from a French University in any subject, and two offices for visiting lecturers from France or Francophone countries.

The centre will also foster debates and provide a window for French and Francophone cultures thanks to its multipurpose room with a sitting capacity of 100 to be used for colloquia, theatrical performances and film showings, and its exhibition room.

It was officially opened on the 20^th March, 2008 on Francophonie Day, followed by the Award Ceremony of the Francophonie Contest, and a conference by Ivorian philosopher, poet and novelist, Tanella Boni on “the Challenges faced by writers in Africa”.

GHACIF celebrates the 51^st anniversary of GHANA's Independence !

The Ghanaian Community in France Association (GHACIF) has colourfully celebrated the 51st anniversary of Ghana's Independence. The occasion took place last 08/03/08 at Saint-Denis La Briche near Paris. More than 300 participants, many special guests for a vibrant party, as shown on Ghacif website !  go there ...

Max Romeo concert in Villeurbanne (69): more than 500 people to support Akuakrom project in Ghana !

The 11^th of February, the association Back to Roots organised, in partnership with the music production label Sankofa Blackstar Music (Lyon), a gig with Jamaican roots reggae star Max Roméo. The proceeds of this concert will be given to the association in aid of its local development project in Akuakrom.

The main objective of the association Back to Roots is to improve the living conditions in the village of Akuakrom (centre of Ghana), by answering the primary needs of its population. After an initial trip of some members to Akuakrom in August 2007, a second trip is being planned for February 2008, to send computers and accessories to the village new school.