The Ghanaian Women’s Association of Georgia (GWAG); a US-based nonprofit organization was birthed out of a man’s vision. Bright Boateng, a journalist and businessman in Atlanta, originally floated the idea of forming an organization which would advance causes for women and children, with Evelyn Davis, Gifty Tamakloe, and Agnes Hayfron Barnor; a group considered to be the founding members of GWAG. They deemed the objectives to be worthwhile and held their first meeting in April 2007 to brainstorm on the way forward. On May 19 2007, the association was duly registered as a Georgia nonprofit.

Following the incorporation, the founding members determined that a provisional team with interim officers be established to begin running the association, and within a matter of weeks, they recruited 8 additional ladies to form the Organizing Committee (OC). Although from diverse backgrounds, what they shared was a common passion and commitment to make a difference in our community. Members of the OC were:

• Chairperson – Agnes Hayfron Barnor
• Co-chairperson – Pearl Aidoo
• Secretary – Adiza Harruna
• Treasurer – Judith Koranteng Ntifo

Other members included: Bright Boateng, Dinah Quaicoe, Doris Ansong, Evelyn Davis, Gifty Tamakloe, Mabel Quarshie, Momfiisa Mohammed (AD), Naami Narnor, and Yvonne Baffour.

The team began to organize and agree on the principles and practices upon which the organization would operate, and among their foremost priorities were:- drafting of by-laws, defining criteria for membership, opening a bank account, creation of a logo and website. After months spent putting the fundamentals in place, the group embarked on a PR effort to promote the association and recruit members within the Atlanta community. In March of 2008, they held their first general meeting where 15 new members signed up. April 12, 2008 saw its official inauguration and the ushering in of the following members as the new executive team for the 2008-10 term:

First Executive Team: 2008-2010:

• President – Pearl Aidoo
• Vice-President – Agnes Hayfron Barnor
• Secretary – Nana Fatima High
• PR – Adiza Harruna
• Treasurer – Judith Koranteng Ntifo

Since its inception in 2008, GWAG has engaged in various community service activities including: donating clothing to orphanages in Ghana, participating in cause-related walks with organizations such as American Cancer Society, volunteering at Medshare, Open Hand, and the Atlanta Community Food Bank. It has also sponsored girls in Ghana through Plan International. The organization has further expanded its outreach over the years and now offers services in the following key areas:

• Procurement & shipping of supplies to maternity wards in Ghana
• Adoption of maternity wards in Ghana
• Educational scholarships for female college students in Georgia
• Volunteering with organizations such as Helping Mamas, Open Hand Atlanta, My Sister’s House, among others.

Currently, the Ghanaian Women’s Association of Georgia boasts over 70 active members and a youth chapter that raises tens of thousands of dollars each year to support its programs.