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12.03.2007 General News

18 African-Americans Adopt Ghanaian Names

12.03.2007 LISTEN
By Clement Adzei Boye, Essikado

THE Omanhen of the Essikado Traditional Area, Nana Kobina Nketsia V, has urged Africans and people of African descent to continue to fight and rediscover their dignity and unique character among the comity of nations.

'Until we get back our dignity, the fight, the battle will not be over,' he said.

Nana Nketsia was speaking at a ceremony here last Friday at which 18 women from Oakland in the United States were given African names.

Their leader, Dr. Ruth Lone, had been renamed Araba Nketsiaba three years ago.

The Omanhen of Shama, Nana Kweku Binnah III, offered water, drinks, traditional meal of mashed yam and eggs to the women to signify their initiation into the African society.

Nana Nketsia said 'the European paradigm of development is affecting our values. We need to regain our values and maintain them.'

He observed that there were many facets of African life that had been eroded by European way of expression and life, saying, 'we need to be re-awakened and hold on to our values'.

Nana Nketsia said that, already attempts were being made to create a sense of awareness in the present generation so that they will appreciate African values. 'It’s all about African values and that’s what Africa personality is about.' The Executive Secretary of PANAFEST Foundation the pan-African Historical Theatre Festival.

Rabbi Kohain Nathanyah Halevi said that the naming ceremony was one of the processes through which those in the Diaspora could be re-connected and re-united with Africa and their roots.

'We need to be born again as Africans,' he said.

'This generation and the ancestors here are happy about this re-union taking place,' he added.

The group donated some surgical items to the Regional Directorate of Health services.

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