Assembly Resolution No. 849

BY: M. of A. Blake

COMMEMORATING the 63rd Anniversary of the
Independence of Ghana

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
pay just tribute to the cultural heritage of the ethnic groups which
comprise and contribute to the richness and diversity of the community
of the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 63rd Anniversary of the Independence of Ghana; and

WHEREAS, America is home to hundreds of thousands of people of
Ghanaian heritage, including those who were born on this soil, those
whose family emigrated here for economic opportunity and those who have
recently traced their roots to ancestors taken from Ghana as part of the
Transatlantic slave trade; and

WHEREAS, The United States and Ghana share a long history with Kwame
Nkrumah, Ghana's first President, who studied at several American
universities, working alongside Civil Rights leaders before becoming
President of the first sub-Saharan African country to gain independence
from colonization on March 6, 1957; and

WHEREAS, Today, the relationship between the two countries has
deepened with the most recent successful execution of Ghana's "Year of
Return" celebration which occurred in December of 2019; this widely
publicized celebratory event commemorated 400 years of the first
enslaved Africans arriving in Jamestown, Virginia, who hailed from
Ghana's shores; and

WHEREAS, Extraordinarily, more than one billion dollars was poured
into the country during last year's celebration as a result of the mass
migration of African Americans, fellow Africans, Caribbean, and
Afro-Latinos who visited the country to celebrate this historic moment;
and

WHEREAS, The Bronx, New York is home to the largest community of
Ghanaians compared to any other state in the U.S.; the City of New York
is host to many businesses run by Ghanaian entrepreneurs, investors, and
creatives; and

WHEREAS, Ghanaians have also demonstrated their civic and political
engagement by running for office, holding key government positions, and
becoming active voices within their unions; and

WHEREAS, Ghana is among the top five African countries with a
fast-growing immigrant population in the United States;
Ghanaian-Americans are an important fabric in the tapestry of America
and in all parts of this great State; and

WHEREAS, The culture is difficult to ignore with its rich food, the
iconic Kente cloth, storytelling, inventions, architecture and its
dominance on the music scene; and

WHEREAS, The 63rd Anniversary of Ghana's Independence provides an
opportunity to recognize the significance of their contributions to the
quality and character of life, and, through events and activities, for
all people to gain a greater appreciation of Ghanaian history and
traditions, and of the role Ghanaians have played, and will continue to
play, in our society; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is pleased to have this opportunity
to recognize such events of significance which foster ethnic pride and
exemplify the cultural diversity that represents and strengthens the
fabric of the people and the State of New York; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 63rd Anniversary of the Independence of Ghana.