HISTORY OF THE NZEMA PEOPLE
The Nzema people, located in the southwestern part of Ghana, share a rich and fascinating history that dates back centuries. The name “Nzema” is derived from the N’Zi River in Côte d’Ivoire, where the people originally lived. The Nzema migrated southward due to unrest and wars, eventually settling on Ghana’s western coast.
Led by the renowned chief, Annor Asaman, the Nzema people established permanent settlements, with Beyin becoming their central capital. Beyin was named after a tall palm tree found at their new settlement site. The Nzema faced conflicts with neighboring groups over land, but under the leadership of successive chiefs, including Annor Blay Acka and Amihere Panin, they secured their territory.
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Nzema’s history is marked by notable events, such as the building of Fort Beyin in 1691 by the Royal African Company. In later years, under the reign of King Kweku Acka, the Nzema were subject to British colonial influence, which ended King Acka’s rule due to his tyrannical practices.
Nzema’s rich cultural heritage is evident in their famous Kundum Festival, and the region is known for its unique tourist attraction, Nzulezu, a village built on water. Over time, the Nzema have split into two states, Western Nzema with its capital at Beyin, and Eastern Nzema with Atuabo as its capital. Despite their division, the Nzema people have shown resilience and unity, preserving their culture and identity for generations.
About us....
Nzema Association in the Diaspora (NAD)
The Nzema Association in the Diaspora’Inc. (NAD) was founded on September 18, 2018, as a non-profit organization with the USA Internal Revenue Services IRS 501 (C )( 3) EIN: 84-4089303 and Duns # 10-1650293.
Headquarters in Atlanta. Georgia, (USA) by the group of Nzemas in the Diaspora. This group of energetic Nzema men and women began to unify for the sake of supporting fellow Africans living in the United States, Canada, and Europe and to support the families currently residing in the Jomoro, Ellembelle, and Nzema East, specifically targeting Nzemaland of Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire West Africa where Nzema’s originally comes from. To assist with the growing need for health, education, environmental development, employment opportunities in towns and villages in and unite all Nzema’s homeland.
Approximately 2,800 Nzemas reside in the USA, 160 Nzemas reside in Canada, and others live in other developed countries. The Association intends to capitalize on the success of these industries by providing supportive services to our “motherland,” Africa, which will be accessible and economically feasible for all.
OUR MISSION AND VALUES
NAD’s mission is to foster the socio-economic well-being of the Nzema people, both in the diaspora and in their homeland, through various projects aimed at health, education, and cultural development. Registered both in Georgia and Ghana (since April 2022), NAD continues to grow in its capacity to serve as a bridge between the Nzema diaspora and their motherland.
For over 40 years, Nzema citizens in North America have sought to unite as a collective entity to advocate for their people. This led to the formation of Nzema associations across states and countries, although many dissolved over time. The Nzema Association of Georgia survived due to the dynamic leadership of Mr. Anthony Kofi Newman, who presided over the group for over 20 years. His leadership resulted in significant contributions to health and education in Nzema, including donations of school supplies and medical equipment.
The landmark Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Hospital and Research Center, a long-envisioned project, was initiated under his guidance. This hospital is named in honor of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first president and a native of Nzema. The land for the hospital has been secured in Ehoaka, and planning continues under the leadership of NAD.
MISSION
To enhance the quality and relevance of higher education, health, environment, and culture in Nzema and strengthen its contribution to Nzema’s development.
VISION
To be the leading advocate for peace in the region, higher education, a good healthy environment, infrastructure development cultural projects and preserve our cultural heritage in Nzema, with the capacity to provide support for its members in meeting local, national, continental, and global needs.
CORE VALUES
– Transparency and Accountability
– Equity and Inclusiveness
– Excellence and Professionalism
– Responsiveness
– Sustainability
– Teamwork and Collegiality
OBJECTIVES
- – To raise funds and complete the construction of the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Hospital and Research Center, a state-of-the-art medical facility to serve Nzema’s growing population and provide much-needed healthcare services to both Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire.
- – To engage and collaborate with national and international bodies to address health, environmental, and educational challenges in Nzema.
- – To foster cooperation between various Nzema associations worldwide and strengthen relationships between Nzema people, wherever they may reside.
- – To promote Nzema culture, values, and traditions while contributing to the socio-economic development of Nzema districts.
ACHIEVEMENTS
Over the past 25 years, various chapters of the Nzema Association have realized impactful charitable projects, such as:
- Nzemaland Education PUSH Project, which raised funds to provide school furniture and computers to Half Assini Secondary School, Kikam Technical School, and Insein Secondary School.
- Caring Hands Project, which donated bedsheets and medical supplies to Axim Health Care Center and Half Assini Health Care Center.
- Providing support to African families in the U.S. by assisting with funeral arrangements and repatriating deceased loved ones to Ghana.
DEMOGRAPHICS OF NZEMA
The Nzemas are Akan people numbering about 7,028,700 in Ghana, 84.547 living in Cote d’Ivoire. 51.37% are men, and 48.63% are women. Nzemaland in Ghana is politically divided into three electoral districts, namely: Jomoro, Ellembelle, and Nzema East/Gwira. Nzema Institute 7.4% of the population in the Western Region of Ghana. Due to poor sanitation and frequent rainfalls, malaria is the number one endemic disease in the Jomoro, Ellembelle, and Nzema West/Gwira Districts and Nzemas living alongside the Ghana and La Cote d’Ivoire border.
HOW WE ARE FUNDED
NAD is funded through:
- – Membership fees
- – Donations from individuals, companies, and foundations
- – Grants from local, national, and international governmental bodies
The development of strong partnerships to build this in memory of one of Africa’s. Visionary leader Kwame Nkrumah: We are in need of a Capital investment fund and possibly an Endowment fund (under consideration).
Our Strategic Plan
The NAD’s first Strategic Plan, covering Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Hospital and Research Center for the period 2022-2030, was developed and approved at the NAD. General meeting held in America in 2021. The formulation of the plan is still in process NAD 2022-2030 Strategic Plan
Followed a bottom-up and participatory process that provided an opportunity to assess the impact and
Consolidate the achievements of the first Strategic Plan.Referral hospital is proposed to be constructed at Ehoaka, in the Jomoro
Municipality Western Region, Ghana, West Africa.