Passions ...
“IN EVERLASTING MEMORY OF THE ANGUISH OF OUR ANCESTORS
May those who died rest in peace.
May those who return find their roots.
May humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity.
We the living vow to uphold this.”
[Memorial Plaque at the Cape Coast (Slave Dungeons) Castle ]
...they were queens, princesses, emperors, warriors ...
“A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.” ― Marcus Garvey.
The PEOPLE of ancient Egypt, Nubia, Punt, Aksum, etc. were (negroid) Africans, pioneers of the civilization which influenced the Greek and then the Roman, Persia, and the Middle East Kingdoms.
The pyramids were built by Africans in Egypt, Nubia, and Aksum.
Mathematics (Euclid), Architecture, Medicine (Djoser), Writing (Hieroglyphics), Shipbuilding with Papyrus reeds originated in Ancient Egypt. Agriculture, irrigation, textiles were all developed in black Africa.
In order to rewrite the role and history of black negros in the development of civilization, Napoleon in 1799, like other European academics tried to erase the black African nature of the civilization of Egypt in buildings, masonry, mechanics of the pyramids on the sphinx by “using his canon to blow the black African nose of the sphinx”.
UCC Residents Virtual Community
No one lights a candle and puts it under a basket.
The idea of the University of Cape Coast Residents Virtual Community (UCC RVC) was conceived with the creation of the first community WhatsApp group on August 13th, 2020. Our Memorial Service on Sunday, August 30th, 2020 would thus be the birthday of the Community.
This is a community of past and current residents with a shared experience of having lived on the University of Cape Coast campus, and have been brought up with a set of common core values. We are now scattered across the globe, but using social media, we seek to reunite as a virtual community. To reconnect, interact, help develop each other and to pursue those shared core values, goals and ideals we grew up with, for our own common good and for posterity...
Task Groups:
To discern the purpose of God for bringing the Faith Committee group together and to plan for the spiritual upliftment of the ‘Virtual Community’
Health & Welfare (Mens sana in corpore sano)
To plan information sessions and follow-up programs/ projects to advance the goals of our community by harnessing resources to help address members’ needs, and conduct campaigns to benefit UCC Campus and surrounding communities.
To help build our Virtual Community infrastructure by providing tools to supplement WhatsApp and Zoom, and identifying and adopting additional tools that could serve a “portal” to enable members access all wonderful content and relationships we are building. Secondly, to contribute to the larger IT infrastructure development discourse, especially in Ghana.
Writers (“Naked Stylus”)
“In order to harness the strength on this platform for telling our story, and other interests ensuing no doubt, we invite for membership of a special interest group.” He/she who fails to write own (hi)story becomes the footnote of ‘Christopher Columbus’s ‘long tale’
In addition to exchanging knowledge and insights on finance and taxes, the committee will be brainstorming about creative resource mobilization for concrete community projects
Join us on any of our two WhatsApp platforms for “Time With God” Every Sunday At 8:00 - 8:15 PM GMT (then uploaded to YouTube)
Join our: Facebook Group / Photo Album (WhatsApp) / LinkedIn Group
A Safe Space for Truth Telling (a prerequisite for reconciliation and healing)
As a Board Member of the Sandy Spring Slave Museum, my personal aspiration is to help Focus and Promote the African heritage; assist in Bridging the information gap that perpetuates the ignorance and divisiveness, while Highlighting the heritage of our African American families and their invaluable role in the building of America.
The Museum is a historical gem, an agent for transformative change, helping perfect our Union, by contributing to the building of bridges; a needed concerted effort to overcome centuries of systemic racism -- a menace eating at the heart of humanity.
EMANCIPATION DAY ✊🏿
“CELEBRATION | EDUCATION | CONNECTION” Sat. Nov. 6, 2021 from 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
SANDY SPRING SLAVE MUSEUM & AFRICAN ART GALLERY, INC. 18524 Brooke Rd * Sandy Spring, MD 20860
Creating Safe Spaces for Dialogue to help overcome centuries of systemic injustice 🌍🤲
“The Real Juneteenth” - Reynauld Smith (Museum Resident Historian)
My dear family and friends,
An invaluable caution passed down from our forefathers is: “No one tests the depth of the river with both feet.” Another favorite African proverb is: "A broomstick can easily be broken, but when broomsticks are tied together to become a broom, the broom will bend but not break." As a people of African descent, I want us to go far together. This requires dedication and patience.
To be ready for meaningful dialogue, one should accept and meet people where they are today. One may not always be welcomed. Although I consider myself “enough” of an African American, many of my African American friends and colleagues see me as an outsider and that "BLM" can hardly be my cause. Unfortunately, at a time when we need to come together, we are still operating at arm's length.
I lived 25 of my formative years in the shadows of the Cape Coast and the Elmina slave dungeons, where more than 75% of our brothers and sisters were sold into slavery. The pledge that our elders left us on the memorial plaque at the Cape Coast Castle still guides my life:
“May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots. May humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We, the living, vow to uphold this.”
Some two decades ago, on my wedding day in Cape Coast, I stood before my late father, my dear Mother, my mother-in-law, my sister-in-law, the Gyan-Johnson clan and all family and well wishers , and committed myself to being a bridge builder, uniting our fractured community on both sides of the Atlantic. My life experience has given me some perspective on how best to be an agent for transformative change and to help perfect our union - the Union of People of African Descent.
On joining forces with Dr. Winston Anderson, founder of the Sandy Spring Slave Museum and African Art Gallery, I sought to create safe spaces for dialogue to help build a common front for overcoming centuries of systemic racism, which is rooted in the original sin of the Transatlantic Slave Trade.
The Black N Black documentary film and panel discussion, scheduled for Sunday, May 16th at 5pm EST, is a kickoff event for the Building Bridges initiative. We invite you to be at the table as we shape this safe space. In the tradition of South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation process, championed by Madiba (Nelson Mandela) and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, we start this process with a gesture of atonement. This spirit of reconciliation is also anchored in the wisdom of a pioneer bridge builder himself, the late Marcus Mosiah Garvey, who proclaimed: “Liberate the minds of men (and women) and ultimately you will liberate the bodies of men (and women).” ["Emancipate yourself from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our minds,"],
WE INVITE YOU TO JOIN US BUILD BRIDGES AND HEAL OUR WORLD THROUGH DIALOGUE.
With Ubuntu Love,
Kojo Krom (Albert Gyan)
"A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots." - Marcus Mosiah Garvey
"Divided we are weak. United we could be one of the greatest forces for good in the world" - Kwame Nkrumah
Pan African Festival TT *
Building Bridges: Africa and the Diaspora
[graphic - P.S. Spencer.]Re-establishing Long Lost Links of Kinship Ghana and Trinidad & Tobago: PanaFest & Emancipation Day
On going consultations with parties (incl. UCC RVC) in the diaspora and in Ghana - The Year of Return and Panafest - and the Wakanda City of Return, Cape Coast)
“Building A Culture of Encounter: Opening Wide Our Hearts”
None of us can afford to operate in fragmented groups, from the dark corners of our respective communities. "A broomstick can easily be broken, but when broomsticks are tied together to become a broom, the broom will bend but not break." Each of us is very much obligated to help in gathering the broomsticks to build this Broom; a bendable but unbreakable Broom.
"Together with Christ" | "One in the Spirit One in the Lord"
ANEC
Preparing for 4th ANEC [2023] In Houston Texas August 5 - 8, 2021
ANEC - AFRICAN NATIONAL EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS·ANEC is an initiative of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee on Cultural Diversity in the Church/Subcommittee on Pastoral Care of Migrants, Refugees, and Travelers (PCMRT) to give African Catholics a SPACE to help build and grow the Church. 
NAACUS
National Association of African Catholics in the USA
An apostolate by Africans, for Africans, with Africans, in African Catholic communities within the continental USA approved and promoted by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Inspired by the African proverb: "A broomstick can easily be broken, but when broomsticks are tied together to become a broom, the broom will bend but not break."
ACA of DMV
African Catholic Association in the DC/MD/VA
“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares”. (Hebrews 13:2)One in the Spirit One in the Lord
grassroots
APSU 78/80
Our group is pioneering a process of promoting the culture of more efficient giving back no matter how small starting with our alma mater. Any time is a good time to give back.
The Class of APSU 1978/80 is part of the St. Augustine’s Past Students’ Union (APSU) the Alumni Association of St. Augustine's College, Cape Coast Ghana, a Premier Catholic School.
APSU USA
Promoting a culture of more efficient giving to our alma mater by facilitating the building of an Endowment Fund. Help the consolidation of an alumni association - APSU USA Alumni Association. This is to provide a formidable support structure and program to leverage the knowledge, the expertise, the networks and the financial widow's mite of alums (APSUnians), as we strive to make impactful social change both at home and in whatever corner of the world we find ourselves. APSU USA Website
national association of african catholics in the usa
Inspired by the African proverb: "A broomstick can easily be broken, but when broomsticks are tied together to become a broom, the broom will bend but not break." This is an endeavor of tying Broomsticks into a bendable but unbreakable Broom. Together we HOPE to emerge from the dark shadows and be seen and heard for who we are; an integral part of the Church and the human family .
If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. We want to go far, so we are striving to go it together; embracing our differences, warts and all, and confronting our common and unique challenges as we work in communion to help heal and grow our Church. We will be the SALT and help perfect this Union, our common home, united in purpose connecting broken and fractured communities across our new beloved country.
african catholics association in the dc/md/va
We stand at a defining moment…our recent sorrow and shame do not define us…as people of faith who have been tossed about by waves of unsettling revelations...I know in my heart and I believe you know in your hearts as well: Jesus is in the boat with us even in turbulent times. (Ref. Archbishop Gregory's homily at his Mass of Installation)
🕯 Assisting in connecting fragmented African Catholic communities in Worship and Service in the DMV🕯 Promoting awareness of the presence of African Catholics, their cultures and respective heritage in the DMV as we contribute to building the Church and live our Catholic faith🕯 Helping member communities meet their pastoral needs and social obligations🕯 Give voice to the voiceless by echoing and amplifying the cries for help from the Mother continent
NGO Committee on ffd
NGO Committee on Financing for Development
Financing Development in the Post-2015 Era
Mobilizing the global voice of civil society for a more effective input into the international preparations for a UN declaration and follow-up process on the "Post-2015 Development Agenda" and the Third UN COnference on Financing for Development. Partnering with: A mechanism for building a joint civil society platform to generate greater civil society interest and advocacy for seeing the platform goals realized. Help facilitate the formulation of a declaration by a representative group of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) for presentation at the next United Nations Summit to launch the Post-2015 Development Agenda and at the Third International Conference on Financing for Development in 2015. Engaging representatives of NGOs from around the world in developing a statement in conjunction with the preparatory process underway at the United Nations. Provide civil society organizations monitoring the FFD process an opportunity to forge common positions across the various consultation exercises. A coordinated, coherent joint position of accredited non-governmental organizations targeting the international gathering of governments and individual Member States is more effective in raising the visibility of the social justice concerns of civil society.
adin
Africa Development Interchange Network (ADIN) at the UN
The Mandan, ND Initiative
"Health Care, Brain Drain, Technology Transfer, Migration and the Politics of Race Relations”
Besides the obvious "piracy" or “poaching” of healthcare workers from African countries, the prevailing nursing shortage in the USA encourages unethical practices in the recruitment industry that exploit nurses. The impact that this home-grown solution has on poor African countries is often ignored in the US national political discourse. In today’s political climate, it is almost impossible for elected officials to look beyond narrow local interest and adopt win-win-win pragmatic solutions to address the challenge of affordable healthcare and the issue of immigration.This is a bold civic initiative that directly confronts not just the symptoms but the root causes of a multi-facet problem from all its angles. It has started a multi-stakeholder conversation guided by the UN dialogue on international migration and development process to identify “concrete measures to strengthen coherence and cooperation at all levels, with a view to enhancing the benefits of international migration for migrants and countries alike and its important links to development, while reducing its negative implications”. It seeks to bring together the Madan community, the Vibra Hospital and the recruited nurses with ties to Africa, all with shared interests, to identify and adopt joint ventures that can provide unique solutions with positive commercial and social returns for all parties. (pending)Ghana - Diaspora SME Advocacy
Re-focusing the mobilization of resources -- seed capital and expertise -- from ODA and FDI to diaspora "remittances", and encourage investments in commercially viable social ventures. A platform to advocate for an enabling business environment for the Ghanaian Diaspora to invest in SME sustainable development business ventures and grow the Ghanaian private sector. Project Proposal: Via the UN FFD process, interfacing with the Ghana Mission Diaspora Desk in New York and the Ghanaian Diaspora community, promote the work of the Business Sector Advocacy Challenge (BUSAC) and highlight progress of private sector development and entrepreneurship in Ghana to key partners and the media in Washington, DC, and New York City .social enterprises
Residential Housing
Homeownership and affordable rents: Though the real estate market in most urban centers in Ghana is quite resilient, the high capital threshold for entry makes it impossible for middle and low-income households to buy or invest. With the banks and financial institutions facing bottlenecks that impede easy access to financial services and mortgages, affordable capital for residential accommodation is non existent; making such undertakings a high stakes venture for the privileged few individuals and companies.Current Project: A real estate venture in Takoradi partnering with a South African holding company, targeting the Ghanaian Diaspora in Europe and in the USA as investors and clients, using the timeshare financing model. Based on tested business models of the Teshie Nungua Estates and the Taysec Orchid Gardens.Health Care
A decently-equipped health facility to serve both the general public and employees of the growing oil sectorProject Proposal: Refurbishing and repurposing the Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital - a Private Public Partnership initiative with a consortium of Healthcare Professionals, Oil Companies and the Regional GovernmentTested model. India’s private health care industry.Responsible Consumption
Promote South-South trade providing quality affordable consumer ready products from Africa at competitive prices, creating local jobs, supporting responsible consumption and healthy lifestyles.Current Project: Partnership with a member of Wines of South Africa (WOSA) and a SA holding company. Slogan:“Spreading the love and health benefits of wine. Embracing new friendships and good health” (a.g.) Selling wines and promoting responsible drinking and campaigning against domestic violence.Innovative Mobile-Tech Solutions
A platform to promote innovative solutions for delivering health services and training. Affordable mobile technology for health care solutions, and teaching / training skills that are in high demand, adaptable for the African Market - Designing apps and web-based tools for solving real day-to-day problems.Pilot Project: A prototype product for wirelessly transmitting patients’ data/vitals stats to qualified healthcare professional for timely and affordable care.
Contact info:
Phone: +1 646-434-8335Email: kkgyan@gmail.com Skype: kojokrom85