About Us

The Ghanaian Union of Manitoba Inc. is a non-profit organisation that brings together Ghanaians residing in Manitoba. The Ghanaian community in Manitoba is engaged in various professions and trades. The Union has cultural groups for different age groups that participates regularly in the annual Folklorama Festival held in Winnipeg.


History

The presence of Ghanaians in Manitoba dates back to the 1950's when Ghanaian students came to University of Manitoba sponsored by the government of Ghana to undertake graduate studies primarily at the Faculty of Agriculture.

After the attainment of independence in Ghana on March 6, 1957, the graduate studies programme was accelerated in order to produce the personnel required to implement the development programmes and projects initiated by the new government. Another goal of the government was to replace the many expatriates serving in the Civil and Public Services in Ghana.

Ghanaian immigrants however started coming to Manitoba in the early 1970s and the trend has continued to this date. Ghanaians are concentrated in Winnipeg and Brandon with some isolated in Thompson, The Pas, Lynn Lake, Neepawa and Minnedosa.

Ghanaians In Manitoba work in various fields - medical doctors, engineers, dentists, university professors, teachers, automotive mechanics, machinists, sheet metal workers, factory workers, nurses etc. As opposed to communities such as the German, Ukranian, Polish, and Jewish; the Ghanaian community is relatively young and small (est. 500)

The Ghanaian Union of Manitoba Inc. was formally organized and incorporated on June 4, 1982 and immediately sought membership of the Citizenship Council of Manitoba; thus becoming the first African group to affiliate with the Council. The first cultural display and performance given by the Ghanaian community took place at the Grant Park Plaza in October 1982. The event was sponsored by the Citizenship Council of Manitoba celebrating International Centre Day.

In 1985 Dr. Ishmael Bruce (a dentist), Dr. Janet Panford (a chemist) and Dr. Moses Agbanyo (a microbiologist) teamed up to start the local Ghana Dance group. This was an effort to get a group ready to perform during Ghana Independence Day Celebrations and also honour requests made by other groups for cultural performances. This initial group consisted of 6 men and 6 women. It is interesting to note that at the  2005 Folklorama Africa Pavilion, there were 4 different Ghanaian cultural groups with almost 30 members                 Dr. Bruce
between the ages of 4 and 55 performing various
Ghanaian dances including adowa, kpanlogo, takai and a blend of other Ghanaian dances. 


Objectives

To come together as a group for solidarity and for the propagation of Ghanaian and African culture.
 

Past Presidents

See the Past Presidents

Executive Members

Meet the current Executive