The Ghana National Council of Metropolitan Chicago (GNC) has formally transitioned to new leadership on Sunday, January 4, 2026, during a ceremony marked by reflection and gratitude.
Outgoing President Kassim Abubakari’s farewell address transcended a simple goodbye, offering a powerful testament to three years of principled service that delivered unprecedented stability and transformative progress.
With grace and quiet authority, Mr. Abubakari reflected on a tenure defined by integrity.
“For three years, I have served not for personal gain, but for the growth and sustainability of our community,” he stated, paying special tribute to the essential partnership of Vice President Dr. Eunice Cromwell.
His administration’s legacy is anchored by historic financial stewardship. For the first time in GNC history, the Council’s total assets exceed $25,000, with a robust $86,575.61 across all accounts, including the thriving Community Health Clinic.
This fiscal strength enabled direct community support for organizations like Enoch’s World and Women of Hope.
The era was also defined by cultural vibrancy, featuring landmark events like the record-breaking GhanaFest 2023 and subsequent celebrations.
Mr. Abubakari expressed confidence in the incoming team, noting President-Elect Effah Ameyaw and Vice President-Elect Ethel Adongo’s decade of event planning experience.
A passionate advocate for youth empowerment, he challenged the community to champion technical and vocational careers from electrical work to HVAC as pathways to durable success.
“For our youth to succeed, we must expand our thinking,” he urged.
Among his proudest achievements is the formalisation of the Ghanaian Community Health Clinic. From its origins as a 2017 health expo, it is now a fully structured GNC subsidiary, operating monthly thanks to dedicated volunteers and key partnerships facilitated by Dr. Cromwell.
In candid remarks on the sacrifices of volunteer leadership, Mr. Abubakari emphasised that “Council service is about unity, integrity, and service.”
He concluded with a call for unity, urging an end to division and misinformation, and peacefully handed authority to President Effah Ameyaw.
“May God bless our community and guide the future leadership,” he concluded, closing a chapter of remarkable progress and handing over a legacy of resilience and reform.
