Book Review: Kouassi Appiah's 'Count On Us For This Distant Journey Of Conviction-FEDGHAF'

Sammy Kouassi Appiah Vice President Federation Of Ghanaian Associations In France FEDGHA

Count On Us for this Distant Journey of Conviction-FEDGHAF

Mr, chairman, Pastors of various Ghanaian Churches in France, Distinguished Invited Guests, Nananom, Presidents of Member Associations of FEDGHAF, Fellow Ghanaians, today marks an exemplary day for Ghanaians in France in particular and for all Ghanaians in the diaspora in general.

We have most often than not met for several reasons but this session spells out an immense revelation wrapped in an astonishing feat. It is indeed revealing, thought-provoking, appealing to sound reasoning and above all, inspirational in substance.

Reading conscientiously this book, Mr. Chairman, invites feelings of nostalgia accompanied with our various means to stimulate a progressive Ghana politically, economically, socially, academically, religiously and what have you.

That is why I personally see the book worth reading to further advance in the area of synchronicity for a collective bargain. What I mean to say here is this, that our meeting here to launch this book will reverberate in the true search for the elementary devices to build the foundation that will invariably require the clarion call for the MINISTRY OF GHANAIANS IN FOREIGN LANDS.

The book exposes irrefutable information concerning our lives here in the diaspora, the struggle to acculturize, integrate and the undaunted search to emancipate.

Meanwhile, our nostalgic feeling amplifiies ceaselessly this sense of natural family attachment unable to abandon. So we are always caught in an inestricable web of constant torment , indecision, casting of self-aspersions often bordering on frustration. The life of the diasporian is always an assault course.

Mr, chairman, the lifestyle of the diasporan becomes an odyssey which imperatively leaves indellible marks of humaness. This is the driving force that promotes generosity and act as breadwinners in family circles. Recognizing this all important life changing insinct is what the author has been able to expose as fundamental reasons for uniting under several Associations and Churches.

The book describes the many attemps at tackling our problems through collective solutions. Ethnic, township and professional groupings lighten the heavy load weighing on Ghanaians in the diaspora. When the load lightens we are able to look back with a generous eye to see to some of the many problems back home.

Individual remittances keep increasing hence the aggregate national remittance data which has risen to an unimaginable level. Various associations have followed the humanitarian path by helping hospitals, schools, communities, orphanages and homes of the mentally retarded children. It is high time Ghanaians gave cognizance to the role being played by the diasporan.

The methodical analysis has really given credence to this call and that is why we should all in the first place embrace it and together sound the clarion call with the voice of unison.

The call for 2 representatives from each continent crowns the effort of the author who sees in the Ghanaian diaspora a people of experience, skilled professionals and shrewd investors whose impact can be felt back home.

But what is so interesting is that this call by the author brings into strong focus the task of umbrella groups all around the globe to create a strong force of foundation to accelerate the creation of the Ministry for Ghanaians in Foreign lands.

In furtherance of this, I surely believe the Ghanaian Churches in the diaspora will without hesitation team up their inner spiritual grace with all umbrella Associations to form the bases and act as the bedrock for genuine representations from across the world which will highlight the work being done and enhance the efforts of all associations if the call will have to be considered and heeded to by the Government.

It is only through collective manoeuvres from the diaspora that the Government can be moved towards the direction laid out by the book, “ MINISTRY OF GHANAIANS IN FOREIGN LANDS” with 2 SUBSIDIARY REPRESENTATIVES FROM EACH CONTINENT.

Let's synchronize our diversity for the full realization of this dream. Mr, Michael Osei Mensah, when you met the President in Turkey, he asked you to continue to convince him. I therefore borrow the words of Robert Frost, an American Poet and I quote:

“The woods are lovely, dark and deep
But I have promises to keep
And many miles to go before I sleep
And many miles to go before I sleep”
Rest assured, FEDGHAF is with you, count on us for this distant journey of conviction.

Thank you for a job well done.
Thank you all.
Sammy Kouassi Appiah
Vice-President, Federation Of Ghanaian Associations In France. (FEDGHAF)