Minutes of NKGaLA Meeting - 10th April 2011, at the co-operative House in New Koforidua
Members present
Mr. E.T Kodua.......Chairman of NKGaLA
Mr. D. Ahanogbe......Sec. of NKGaLA
Mr. F. Gamor............Treasurer of NKGaLA
Mr. S.Y Sarpong.......Patron
Mr. Alhassan Rahaman......Organizer
Mr. Kwaku Seidu.........Muslim Community
Mr. D. Harrold..........Local council
Mr. Aguti Iddrisu........Artisans
Nana Agyekum Sarpong....Chief of New Koforidua
Nana Agyeiwaa Marfoah......Queen Mother of New Koforidua
Reps of GANKLA
Mr. Bruce Crowther......Chairman of GANKLA
Mr. Richard Watts........Sec. of GANKLA
Observer
Miss. Emelie Persson of Fairtrade Africa
MAIN DISCUSSIONS FOR THE DAY
1. THE USE OF EMAIL ADDRESS OF NEW KOFORIDUA;
It was the first issue raised which concerned the use of the personal email address of the link coordinator for official communication of the link.
This was explained as due to the fact the coordinating link has no access to the password of the email address(nkghana2006@yahoo.com) belonging to the link.
It was therefore charged on the coordinator to contact Samuel Opare, the outgone coordinator for the relay of the password to the current coordinator to enable access of the address. Failure to relinquish the password, must allow NKGALA operating from a new email address.
I must indicate here to all that our new email address is nkfairtrade2011@yahoo.com.
2. THE INSTALLATION OF SOLAR PANELS IN THE COOPERATIVE HOUSE
As an integral part of cooperative house project and also to make it Eco- friendly, it has to be installed with solar panel to generate electricity from abundant sunlight. However, according to NKGALA side of the story, the initial cost as quoted by the expects when consulted was so high they could not afford it, at least for now.
Colleagues of GANKLA also did indicate that they are much aware of that part of the project and will do their best to assist install the facility.
3. LOCAL FURNITURE
The availability of local materials which are relatively cheap must encourage the preparation of local furniture at a rather cheaper price. This was indeed reiterated by our colleagues from GANKLA.
Indeed it is gratifying to note that Bruce and Richard prepaid two tables from a local log which they bought at a much cheaper price.
4. IT EQUIPMENTS
The various IT equipments brought to the link from Garstang could not be traced during the of recent visit. The items include a laptop, desktop computer, and a webcam.
It was indicated by NKGALA that the items were in the custody of Samuel before he left. Members at the meeting, therefore agreed that he should be contacted by mail for the where about of the items.
I must say that I did contact him and he has returned 1toshiba laptop, 2webcams, 1 wireless cable and 1 battery charger.
5.LIBRARY BOOKS
Additional library books were brought to stuff the library for community use. However, some books brought earlier could not traced. It was indicated that some of these books were autographed by HARRIET LAMB and RT. HON. GORDON BROWN.
We agreed unanimously that the missing books should be searched and found at all cost.
6. DONORS LIST
We decided that, the list of all DONORS to the community house should be printed and laminated and hang in the library since the house is open for use.
That was also done and it is a great joy to see the names of all donors pasted at the library gallery.
7.BOOKING RATES
Booking rates of the cooperative house at this same meeting was reviewed upwards with immediate effect. The new rates are as follows;
FOR MEMBERS,
£6/person per day
FOR NON MEMBERS
£10/person per day
Please note that cost of feeding is NOT part of these rates, feeding cost shall be determined in due course.
8.THE FIG TREE PROJECT
The FIG TREE PROJECT was elaborately presented by Bruce to the meeting and it sounded laudable as it intended to partner New Koforidua in Ghana and Media in USA in a sort of triangular link aimed at a sustainable link for development.
9 CHOCOLATE WORKSHOP
The up-coming chocolate workshops were highlighted at the meeting by Bruce and Nkgala agreed to be part of it in July.
CLOSURE
The meeting ended at about 7;30pm with a Muslim prayer by Alhassan Rahman
Recorded by ;
WALTER
Coordinating Link
New Koforidua
The NKGaLA Committee meet with representatives from Garstang Photograph; Walter Kofi Alifo