Our History

One beautiful day in 1984, about 40 years ago, Mr. Fred Agbota brought the idea during a conversation while socializing with Mr. Yaw Kuma, Mr. Sam Sapari, and others in Mr. Kuma’s house for the Ewes to get together in support of each other. This information was shared with others who reached out to those Ewes they knew in town. From thereon, any time they heard of an Ewe coming into town, they reached out to them to support and encourage them. Mr. Kuma and the group began to grow and out of this humble beginning of twelve friends, the Ewe Association of Dallas was born.

There were asylum seekers from Togo who also arrived at the time and some of them also joined the group. Meetings were held in Mr. Kuma’s house to socialize and make merry until the group decided to formalize the meeting since they had outgrown being in the house.

The first formal meeting was held at the St. Stephens Presbyterian Church at Graweyler by courtesy of Mr. Azu who was a member of that church at the time. The meeting place moved to the Methodist Church premises on Park Row in Arlington and presently we meet at the Northgate United Methodist Church in Irving Texas. The name Ewe Association of Dallas called EAD for short was formalized in May of 1988. The association continues to grow and it is one of the active and vibrant African groups in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex with members from Ghana, Togo, and Benin.

The Group expanded its base by joining other Ewe Associations in The Council of Ewe Associations In North America (CEANA) in 1990, to promote Ewe culture in North America and participates in various programs and projects in Ewe land.

EAD were the pace setters/ pioneers when they hosted the Annual CEANA convention in 2001 at a hotel for all participating members to be in one place during the convention. This was the first time that the hosting city decided to host the CEANA members in a hotel instead of in people’s homes as was being done in the years prior and now hosting CEANA annual conventions in a hotel has become the norm accepted by all. Dallas also hosted CEANA again in 2008.

The Ewe Association was also very instrumental in forming the Council of Ghanaian Associations (COGA) here in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex which oversee the various collaborative activities for the various Ghanaian member Groups in the planning and celebration of Ghana’s Independence Day activities starting with Ghana @50, Carols services during the Christmas season, Graduation awards ceremonies and Ghana-fest for our communities.

Leadership

The first president of the group was Mr. John Von Bankuson, and Mr. Selorm Fiagome was secretary. Mr. Bankuson was succeeded by Mr. Isaac Kuma, and then Mr. Fred Nfojo, Mr, Enock Azu followed by the rest. The Association has thrived and survived and is still growing strong due to able leadership, the love and support of members.

Funding

There were several ideas about investments and raising funds and so the Ganeva club was formed, and members contributed $50 monthly. During the downturn of the economy investment was going down and so it was liquidated. Used car sales and Real Estate were also some ideas considered for the generation of income for the group in the initial stages. Presently, the association raises funds through the collection of monthly dues of $20 each. Also, members volunteering to work at the Cowboy’s stadium by selling ice-cream at a concession stand.

Social Responsibility

Some medical and hospital equipment were delivered to Ho hospital in Ghana. Dunenyo is an offshoot of EAD. Dunenyo is a registered 501c organization that is used to raise funds to support the community and volunteer efforts by the association and so any donation made to and through Dunenyo is tax deductible. We also volunteer hours to support various community and charity activities such as the Food Bank “The Bridge” in Plano and Mission Arlington. We also donate to various churches and other organizations such as the Ghana Nurses Association, COGA, University of North Texas (UNT) African Cultural Festival – College of Music which also support Ghana-Fest activities organized by COGA. We also donate to support fundraiser which CEANA uses to support various projects in the Volta Region of Ghana and awards scholarships to needy students in the region. EAD also awards scholarships to our High School graduates of members to encourage them to further their education.

Constitution

There were efforts made to craft the constitution and by-laws which governs the association members when Mr. Fred became president, and this document is solidly in place and working effectively. The constitution is amended as and when necessary.

Meetings

The Group meets on the first Saturday of each month from 6PM to 8PM and always welcomes new members and visitors.