Ghana’s Ambassador To Norway Inaugurates National Union of Ghanaians In Norway

Ghana’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Norway, H.E. Mrs. Jennifer Lartey, has inaugurated the National Union of Ghanaians in Norway (NUGN).

The colourful event and end of the year get-together took place on [Saturday] December 4, 2021 at Lyngbø Sportsklubb, Gravdalsveien9, 5165 Laksevågin Bergen, Norway.

The purpose of the National Union is to create a platform for networking and collaboration amongst the local and regional unions in Norway.

In addition, the union will work for the welfare and common good of all Ghanaians living in Norway. 

The formation of the union will also collaborate with Ghana’s Embassy in Oslo, Norway to champion the interests of Ghana and Ghanaians in Norway regardless of which political party is in charge of affairs in Ghana.

The NUGN in Norway will also support national ‘nonpartisan’ developmental projects in Ghana as a way of giving back to the Ghanaian society and be the voice and representative of all Ghanaian associations/unions in Norway in the planned larger Ghanaian Union.

Addressing the gathering, Mrs. Jennifer Lartey commended the various Associations and Unions for spear-heading the agenda for the inauguration of the national union.

“You may recall that in the latter part of 2019, I made a clarion call for the various Ghanaian Unions and Associations in the respective cities in Norway to consider forming an umbrella body that will have one voice, one passion and one agenda to represent the Ghanaian Diaspora in Norway.  This was following my attendance at a similar launch of the Council of Ghanaian Associations in Denmark where I saw at first-hand, the importance and benefits of such a Union. It therefore gives me great joy to witness the inauguration and launch our own National Union” Mrs Lartey stressed on the importance of the union.

In all, eight (8) members from the various unions were appointed to serve on the Board of the National Union of Ghanaians in Norway. They are, Lawrence Newman (President), GiftyOhenewaaNordbø (Vice President) of Ghana Union Vestland, Bergen; Charles Ohene Nti (President), William Amoah (Secretary) from Association of Ghanaians in Rogaland.

The rest are, John Kwadwo Osei-Tutu (President), Samuel Senanu (Secretary) of Ghanaians Association of Trøndelag and Stephen Zamore (President), Joseph Kyei-Boateng (Secretary), of Ghana Union of Norway, Agder, Kristiansand. 

However, Gifty Ohenewaa is Co-ordinator/Chairperson for the Board of the NUGN. Joseph Kyei-Boateng is Secretary to the board and he is being assisted by Samuel Senanu, the rest are board members.

Mr. Lawrence Newman, the President of Ghana Union Vestland, who spoke on behalf of the Board of the NUGN assured that the union will champion the interest of Ghanaians in Norway and also intendits support back home in Ghana.

He added that leadership roles will be rotated among the local unions every two years as there will be two representatives from every local union on the NUGN Board. The two representatives will be the President and any other member nominated by the local union to be represented on the national board for effective networking and collaboration.

The Ambassador, H.E. Mrs. Jennifer Lartey was accompanied by Mr. Steve Lartey (First gentleman of the Embassy) Mr. Charles Kwakye-Marfo, Head of Chancery, NanaAntwi Baffour, Head of Consular section, Vincent Mrimba, the Culture Director at Bergen Kommune, Joe Aseerwatham, VestlandsInnvadreråd, Prof Ragnhild Overå, UiB, representatives from the local Unions in Stavanger, Trondheim, Kristiansand, Tromsø, Harstad, Executives and members of the Ghana Union, Vestlandet.