Community and Business Leaders, Georgia law makers and members of the public came together to support members of the not-for-profit charitable organization Ghanaian Women’s Association of Georgia (GWAG), as they kick off their fundraising efforts to help the organization with their “giving back” agenda highlighting the heartbreaking conditions of some pregnant women in the underserved communities in Ghana.
Following a cocktail hour of guests mingling and networking amidst youth cultural drumming and dance, the ceremony was officially opened with the US and Ghana national anthems.
The event was under the theme “Bettering the Maternity Experience, One Ward at a Time.”
Ms. Gloria White and Ms. Laila Harruna who were mistresses of ceremony ushered in Mrs. Adiza Harruna, President of the organization to deliver a strong welcome message in which she reminded Ghanaians and the world at large about the G-WAG mission and vision of giving back to the community.
Mrs. Adiza Harruna highlighted the serious and common problems that result in maternal mortality rates such as the lack of medical supplies, equipment, hospital accommodation to name a few issues.
She also captured the moment to bring guests up to speed on the progress of GWAG’s past, current and upcoming maternity ward projects. She encouraged Ghanaians and friends of GWAG to get involved and help make a difference through donations and by extension, transform the lives of those in need in our underserved communities.
She added that donations received for this year’s project will go towards procuring medical equipment and supplies for the adoption the old Tamale hospital maternity ward G-WAG’s 3rd adopted ward as well as donate to beneficiaries at the maternity wards of the Ejura, Tema, Osu and Atibie government hospitals.
According to Mrs. Harruna, “We want to help reduce preventable deaths and make sure that expectant mothers get the basic care they need. It is our honor and privilege to “give back” and make a difference …Even under the best care and circumstances there is always a risk factor, maternal illness, fetal developmental complications, these are circumstances beyond our control, but with excellent care, and access to great healthcare facilities, we are very hopeful of positive outcomes …” She added “ … Giving from the heart is an immeasurable value that benefits the community and an investment in our nation’s future.
We would rather have the unborn baby have a fighting chance to live, we would rather have an expectant mother have her own bed than share a bed with another, we would rather not have a woman in labor lie on the floor and waiting her turn to deliver her baby, We would rather expectant mothers have the prenatal and antenatal care they need, than to watch them turned away to go and have babies at home”.
It is this shared interest in the welfare of our fellow human beings that drives members of G-WAG to participate and help where they can.
In her keynote address, Dr. Bertha Serwa Ayi emphasized on the need to make a difference and cited actions of the likes of Malala and Tetteh Quarshie who sewed seeds that went a long way to make a significant difference in their communities. According to Dr. Ayi “Whatever seed that you sew, you are making a difference no matter how small. Without you somethings will not get done but if … you can support in whatever way you can, it’ll go a long way to promote GWAG …”
GWAG was also very fortunate to have a special guest all the way from Ghana, Mrs. Rashida Saani Nasamu, the Chief Executive Office of the Izar Group of companies. Mrs. Rashida brought warm greetings from Ghana and gave highlights of the current situation of maternal health in Ghana. She expressed appreciation of the wonderful work of the organization. She, stated that it is easy to save and donate to the needs of mothers and babies by just putting money aside regularly instead of using these same monies to buy designer goods for our own personal enjoyment. According to Mrs. Rashida Saani Nasamu “You do not have to own a million dollars to spare a dollar.
The good thing about giving is that if you could have $10 and choose to spare a $1 or 50cents, you could also have a million dollars and can choose to spare $1 or 50cents as well … it keeps money in circulation … it is a part of our social settings as well …”
Highlights of the event were spectacular cultural performances by the youth who entertained guests to adowa and afrobeat dances while the audience reacted with several rounds of applause. Guests were also treated to some of Ghana's best cuisine and music.
The event came to a close with a vote of thanks by Dr. Adrienne Booth Johnson, who is a Marketing Executive and a member of the G-WAG board of directors. Dr. Johnson presented a special token of appreciation to Mrs. Rashida Saani Nasamu for her passion. She closed by stating that “we were all inspired to aim higher and to reach higher”.
The Ghanaian Women's Association of Georgia came about because of a few women coming together whose passion for positive change within the community far supersedes the basic idea of an improved life style. As these women’s passion grew stronger, their vision got bigger. Today G-WAG boasts of 40+ active members. The Association is here to work together, to build a stronger community and to affect the world with positive change, a few steps at a time.
Members of the Ghanaian Women