AFFILIATES

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 What is MANA?
​Who Are We?  The Awutu-Effutu Association has a sister organization called the Mfantseman Kuw of California.  Both associations operate independently in Southern California.  However, for purposes of MANA, we have formed one organization under the name MfantseKuw of Southern California.  MANA is an association of persons who hail from the Central and Western Regions of Ghana but are currently living in the USA and Canada.  Over the years several factors have brought many Ghanaians into the United States, Canada, and Western Europe.  Ghanaians, like many Africans, have very strong family ties and regardless of where they live, these ties remain strong.  It is these strong family and community ties that have led to the formation of several ethnic associations here in the USA and Canada.  It is generally believed that there are Ghanaians in every state in the USA.  Recognizing the wide gap in income and wealth between Ghanaians in the Diaspora and those at home, those outside of Ghana have found it necessary to come together to harness their resources to help various home communities beyond the help individuals send to their respective families in Ghana. 
 
Our History:  MANA was formed and launched with fanfare in Denver, Colorado from July 9 – 11, 2010 with six members.  Since then it has grown to twelve members.  The following comprise the current membership.  Fante Benevolent Society of Chicago, Mfantsekuw of Southern California, Mfantseman Association of the Carolinas, Mfantseman Kuw of Colorado, Worcester (MA), Carolinas, New Jersey, and Maryland, Mfantse Associations of Minnesota and Greater Houston, Fantse Associations of Columbus –Ohio, Fantis Association of Connecticut, and the Ghana Central and Western Regions on Greater Cincinnati. Since the inauguration, MANA has been holding biennial congresses. So far congresses have been held in Los Angeles (2012), Chicago (2014), Worcester, MA (2016), and Columbus-Ohio 2018). The next Congress will be held in September from 3 – 6, 2020 in Windsor, Connecticut.

The Goals:   Various Akan slogans, such as "Dua Kor, כnnyε Kwae"; "Wonsom', Wonsom', Wכnye Nyimpa"; "Yεyε Kor a, Yegyina"; etc. all point to strength in unity.  MANA's mission states: "MANA, a non-profit organization, will unite Fante people in North America through collaboration among Fante Associations in North America and Fante leaders in Ghana.  The purpose of this relationship is to assist in the socio-cultural, educational, health and economic development of the Fante people in Ghana and elsewhere." MANA has two main goals.  The first is to bring all existing Fante organizations in the USA and Canada that are currently not part of MANA to become partners with us.  The second is to encourage all Fantes in cities and states that do not currently have formal organizations to form one and subsequently become part of MANA. 
For further information please feel free to contact the author or Kobina Lartson, Ph.D. Founding President via clartson@yahoo.co.uk. or 303.406.1943.  You can also contact Charles Blankson, Ph.D., former MANA President via cblankson@sbcglobal.net or 909.904.6628. Check out our website www.mfantsemana.org.