Report of ADAC Launch

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The African Diaspora Association of Canada (ADAC) was officially launched on June 2, 2008, in Ottawa. The celebration was a great success and the large turnout of over 200 guests was beyond expectation. Guests included parliamentarians, senators, diplomats, sponsors, representatives of companies that do business in Africa, NGOs, African Diaspora organizations, and members of the African-Canadian community in Ottawa and Montreal.

Among our invited guests were:

1. Hon. Jason Kenney, M.P. and Secretary of State (Multiculturalism and Canadian Identity).
2. Hon. Prof. Irwin Cotler, M.P. and Chairman of the Subcommittee on Human Rights and International Development of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade.
3. Hon. Johanne Deschamps, M.P. and Member of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development,
4. Hon. Mauril Bélanger, M.P. and Vice-Chairman of the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage.
5. David Angell, Director General for the Africa Bureau at the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT).
6. Giselle Morin-Labatut, Senior Program Specialist at the International Development and Research Council.
7. Simone Thibault, Executive Director of the Centertown Community Health Centre.
8. Lucien Bradet, CEO and President of the Canadian Council on Africa.
9. David Smith, renowned philanthropist and restauranteur.
10. H.E. Bawoumondom Amelete, Dean of the African Diplomatic Missions in Canada and Ambassador of the Togolese Republic to Canada.
11. H.E. Peter Allan Kallaghe, High Commissioner of the United Republic of Tanzania.
12. H.E. Dr. Abraham Nkomo, High Commissioner of the Republic of South Africa.
13. Nowetu Luti, Counsellor of the High Commission of the Republic of South Africa.
14. H.E. Ahmed Ali Jarrud, Ambassador of the Great Socialist People's Libyan Jamahiriya.
15. Sadik Bin Sadik, First Counsellor of the Embassy of the Great Socialist People's Libyan Jamahiriya.
16. Meskaouni, Second Minister at the Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco.
17. Eric S. Ratsimbazafy, First Counsellor of the Embassy of Madagascar.
18. Adah Geoffrey Edache, Minister of Chancery, High Commission of Nigeria.
19. Lerato Khutlong & Tumelo Raboletsi of the High Commission, Kingdom of Lesotho.
20. Melvin Foote, CEO of the Constituency for Africa in Washington, DC.
21. Temesghen Hailu, President, Association for Higher Education and Development.
22. Dr. Abdullah Hassen, President, South African Rainbow Association of South Africa.
23. Ezra Ncwana, Chairperson of the Interim Committee, which gave birth to ADAC.
24. Dr. Youvi Bouka, Vice-President of the Force Leadership Africain.
25. Keith Charles, President and Chairperson, Black Canadian Scholarship Fund.
26. Chris Harris, President, Jamaican (Ottawa) Community Association.
27. Godwin Ifedi, President, Black History Ottawa.
28. June Girvan, Director, J’Nikira Dinqinesh Education Centre.
29. Sarah Onyango, Talk Show Host, CHUO 89.1FM & Board member, Black History Ottawa
30. Denise Siele, Radio Talk Show Host, Nexus Africa, CHIN – CJLL 97.9FM.
31. Fred Sherman, Radio Talk Show Host, Nexus Africa, CHIN – CJLL 97.9FM.

The Main Event in the A.S. Haydon Hall from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Jocelyne Constant, MC, introduced our speakers and performers for the evening as she called upon them. Sandra Griffith-Bonaparte graced the occasion with an emotional rendition of the Canadian National Anthem, with most people singing in chorus. Speeches were delivered in the two official languages. Matshela Molepo, President of ADAC, briefed the audience on the formation and objectives of the organization and introduced our executive and board members.

Hon. Jason Kenney (CPC), Secretary for Multiculturalism and Canadian Identity, welcomed the creation of ADAC and pledged his government’s support for ADAC’s objectives. Hon. Irwing Cotler (LPC) and Hon. Vivian Barbot (BQ) echoed similar sentiments and pledged to strengthen relations between their respective parties and ADAC. Messages of support and pledges of collaboration with ADAC from sister organizations were also delivered by Melvin Foote, CEO of the Washington-based Constituency for Africa, and Youvi Bouka, Vice-President & Treasurer of the Montreal-based Force Leadership Africain. The Dean of the African Diplomatic Missions and the Ambassador of the Togolese Republic, H.E. Bawoumondom Amelete, wished ADAC success and offered to establish stronger ties between African and Caribbean Diplomatic Missions and ADAC. The MC also read messages of support from Hon. Paul Dewar (NDP) and Hon. Jean Augustine, Fairness Commissioner, Province of Ontario.

Finally, Lucien Bradet, CEO and President of the Canadian Council on Africa, delivered the keynote address. He spoke about the catastrophic effects of the brain drain on African countries and the role that ADAC could play in their socio-economic development. The speeches were punctuated by a solo performance of “Old Man River” rendered by Sandra Griffith-Bonaparte and a medley arranged and rendered by the sextet, Impassioned 4 Him.

The Reception in the Jean Piggot Hall

David Smith, philanthropist and owner of the Deli Restaurant on Rideau Street, donated food for the occasion. Volunteers, mainly youth from the Ottawa African-Canadian community, served the meal and drinks to our guests. The reception offered an excellent opportunity for networking and photo ops. ADAC members established new links and strengthened old ones with representatives of the government, diplomatic missions, NGOs, and fraternal organizations.

Throughout the evening, volunteers helped prepare the halls, served meals and refreshments, and cleaned up after the celebration. Justin Laku and Mante Molepo took photos.

Sponsors

ADAC would like to thank the following for their generous financial and material support:

1. International Development and Research Council. (IDRC).
2. David Smith, owner of the Deli Restaurant.
3. High Commission of the Republic of South Africa in Ottawa.

ADAC Volunteers and Friends

We wish to express our sincere appreciation to the following individuals for their time and effort toward a successful launch:

Jocelyne Constant (MC), Raymonde Maitland, Audrey Jorssen, Sandra Griffith-Bonaparte, Impassioned 4 Him (Kabelo Mokoena, Calciann Harris, Antoinette Brown, Buhlebenkosi Tembo, Leighton Rodney, and Janice Taylor), Mante Molepo, Justin Laku, Sem Onyalo, Nyenyezi Sanginga, Jed Ashong, David Amankwa, Stachen Frederick, Thatayaone Lekgowe, Danielle Leclair, Chidima Nzakamulilo, John Nzakamulilo, and Tinah Dembele.