The GaDangme Association of the Washington DC Metropolitan Area’s 40th Anniversary Thanksgiving Service, held on September 28, 2025, at Ebenezer Methodist Church, 5112 Berwyn Road, College Park, Maryland 20740, United States, represented a profound and sacred milestone in the life of a community that has, for four decades, remained steadfast in its mission to preserve heritage, strengthen unity, and uphold faith. The Thanksgiving Service was not merely an event on the association’s 40th-anniversary calendar but a deeply spiritual gathering that encapsulated gratitude, reflection, and divine acknowledgment of a journey that began with vision and determination, and an Open Health Walk and Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign on Saturday, October 19, 2024, at Burnt Mills West Park, 10701 Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, Maryland, followed by donations to the Shelter for Abused Children, Teshie Orphanage, and the D-Rose Foundation, all in Accra.
According to the Chairwoman of the GaDangme Association of the Washington DC Metropolitan Area, Rowina Naa Odarkai Lamptey Moses, the Thanksgiving Service was the culmination of forty years of collective resilience, sacrifice, and progress, a moment to lift hearts and voices in praise for the grace that has sustained the community through challenges, transitions, and triumphs. This celebration of faith and heritage stands as a testament to the unbreakable bond between the GaDangme people and the God who has guided their path from humble beginnings to enduring significance in the diaspora. The officiating ministers present were The Very Rev. Isaac Kwabena Boamah, The Very Rev. Kofi Bart-Martin, The Very Rev. Dr. Casely Essamuah, Rev. Dr. John Kweku Abaka France, Rev. Ebo Edumadzie Quainoo, Rev. Jonathan Obeng Andam, and Lawyer Moses Foh-Amoaning, President of the Methodist Church Boys’ Brigade Ghana Council.
The 40th Anniversary Thanksgiving Service was a service of gratitude that took place the day after the Dinner Dance, held on September 27, 2025, at the Holiday Inn, College Park, 10000 Baltimore Avenue, Maryland 20740. The dinner also marked an extraordinary milestone in the life of an association dedicated to preserving culture, promoting unity, and empowering generations of GaDangme descendants living far from their ancestral homeland.
A Thanksgiving reception followed on the first floor of the Ebenezer Methodist Church premises after the service. Members and guests gathered for the vibrant reception and enjoyed a delightful meal featuring a variety of comforting Ghanaian and continental dishes. The culinary highlight was a beautifully decorated anniversary cake, which served as a centerpiece for the celebration. The shared meal fostered an atmosphere of open conversation and connection among long-time members and new visitors alike. The reception served as a beautiful testament to the power of faith and the strength of an association united in gratitude for God’s many blessings over the past 40 years.
When the association was founded decades ago, it emerged not only as a social and cultural network but also as a community deeply rooted in faith. The GaDangme people, whose traditions are interwoven with both cultural heritage and Christian belief, have always placed gratitude to God at the center of their gatherings. The founding members, who met in small living rooms and community halls across the Washington DC area, carried with them the conviction that no endeavor prospers without divine favor. They understood that building a community in a foreign land required not only human effort but divine grace. Through the years, that faith has carried them through trials and triumphs alike, through economic hardships, challenges of assimilation, generational shifts, and transitions in leadership. The 40th Anniversary Thanksgiving Service was, therefore, more than a ceremonial act of worship; it was the spiritual expression of a people acknowledging that their strength and unity have been sustained by something greater than themselves.
As members gathered for the Thanksgiving Service, the atmosphere was filled with reverence and joy. The venue radiated the beauty of both tradition and devotion. The colors of the GaDangme identity, symbolic of heritage, culture, and pride, blended harmoniously with the solemnity of worship. The anniversary cloth and traditional attire reflected not only elegance but respect for ancestry and faith. The voices of choirs rose in harmony, filling the air with hymns and songs that blended the rhythms of Ghanaian praise with the depth of Christian worship. It was a scene of beauty and emotion, where culture met spirituality, and where every song, prayer, and gesture embodied thanksgiving. The service brought together generations, the elders who laid the foundation of the association, the youth who represent its future, and families who stand as bridges between past and present. Together, they lifted their hearts in praise, united in gratitude for the journey that has brought them this far.
This Thanksgiving Service carried an emotional depth that transcended words. It looked back on the road traveled and recognized the divine fingerprints upon their history. The early members who labored tirelessly to build the association did so often with limited resources but limitless faith. Many of them made sacrifices of time, energy, and finances, not for personal gain but for the collective well-being of their people. Through the years, their efforts bore fruit as the association expanded its reach, attracted new members, and established itself as a beacon of unity for the GaDangme diaspora. The Thanksgiving Service was, therefore, a sacred opportunity to honor those sacrifices, not only of the founders but also of every member who contributed, in ways great or small, to the association’s survival and growth. It was a chance to thank God for the hands that built, the hearts that served, and the faith that endured.
As prayers were lifted, the association remembered moments of challenge that tested their unity and faith. There were seasons when resources were scarce and participation dwindled. Yet through all these moments, the GaDangme Association never faltered in its belief that perseverance and divine guidance would see it through. This unwavering faith was the cornerstone of the Thanksgiving Service, a faith that recognizes that human strength alone could not have sustained the association for forty years in a foreign land. Members reflected on how God has not only sustained their organization but also blessed their individual lives, granting opportunities, restoring hope, and guiding families through generational change. The Thanksgiving Service was deeply personal as well as communal, as each member brought their own reasons for gratitude, for healing, provision, protection, and progress, and joined them into a collective offering of praise.
Naa Odarkai Lamptey further stated that the Thanksgiving Service also served as a spiritual homecoming for many who have been part of the association’s journey. Former leaders, long-standing members, and those who have relocated to other states returned to celebrate this milestone. There were joyful reunions and heartfelt embraces as familiar faces reconnected in the shared spirit of worship. The service reminded them that though distance may separate them physically, the bond of faith and heritage keeps them united. For the younger generation, it was a powerful moment of inheritance, a chance to witness firsthand the depth of devotion that has underpinned the association’s endurance. They saw that the strength of the GaDangme Association lies not only in its cultural pride or social activities but in its spiritual foundation. The Thanksgiving Service served as both a celebration and a transmission of values, a passing of the torch of faith from one generation to the next.
The message delivered during the Thanksgiving Service resonated deeply with the congregation. It reflected on the faithfulness of God through forty years of existence, a call to gratitude and an inspiration for the future. The sermon reminded the community that thanksgiving is not just a momentary act but a way of life, a recognition that every achievement, every blessing, and every moment of progress is a manifestation of grace. The Very Rev. Isaac Kwabena Boamah encouraged the association to continue building not only cultural strength but spiritual integrity. The message underscored that true success lies not merely in longevity but in purpose, that the association’s next forty years must be guided by the same principles of faith, unity, and service that defined its beginning.
During the service, moments of special recognition by the Chairwoman of the Association, Naa Odarkai Lamptey, brought emotion to the gathering. The association took time to honor its founders and early leaders, acknowledging their vision and devotion. Tributes were also paid to members who have passed on, recognizing that though they are no longer physically present, their spirit and contributions continue to inspire the living. The names of these departed members were spoken with reverence, accompanied by songs and prayers of remembrance. These gestures of honor served as a reminder that the story of the GaDangme Association is written not just by those who live today but by all who walked the journey before them. It is a story of continuity, of lives interwoven across generations, of a legacy that time cannot erase. The Thanksgiving Service became a bridge between the seen and the unseen, between the living and the ancestors, as gratitude flowed beyond the boundaries of time.
The Thanksgiving Service was also a platform for testimonies, a time when members shared their personal experiences of faith and gratitude. These testimonies brought life to the celebration, transforming abstract thanksgiving into tangible stories of grace. Some spoke of how the association has been a source of support during times of difficulty, and how friendships formed within its fold have brought comfort and encouragement. Others testified to God’s blessings in their families, careers, and personal lives. Each story contributed to the collective narrative of faithfulness, reinforcing the truth that the association is not just an organization, but a family sustained by divine favor. These testimonies inspired renewed faith and reminded everyone that God’s hand continues to move in their midst.
Music played a central role in the Thanksgiving Service. The melodies of Ga and other hymns filled the room, carrying the soul of the people through rhythm and song. The choir blended traditional Ghanaian instruments with modern harmonies, creating a soundscape that evoked both nostalgia and praise. Congregational singing brought unity to the moment, many voices rising as one, declaring gratitude in languages that transcend translation. Praise songs lifted the energy of the room, while worship songs drew hearts into quiet reflection. Each note was more than music; it was an offering of the heart, a language through which the association expressed what words could not capture. The sound of drums and clapping hands echoed the ancestral heartbeat of the GaDangme people, reminding everyone that worship is both spiritual and cultural, both ancient and ever new.
As the service unfolded, the presence of dignitaries and guests from other associations, churches, and community organizations added to the atmosphere of celebration. Their attendance was a symbol of the respect and influence the GaDangme Association has earned over forty years of existence. Messages of goodwill and congratulations were delivered, affirming the association’s impact not only on its members but also on the broader Ghanaian and African diaspora. Leaders from Ghanaian churches in the region, community advocates, and local officials took turns expressing admiration for the association’s longevity and contributions. These expressions of solidarity highlighted the association’s reputation as a pillar of unity and cultural preservation. The Thanksgiving Service became a communal celebration, extending beyond the GaDangme people to embrace all who value heritage, faith, and community spirit.
The symbolic acts of the Thanksgiving Service carried deep meaning. The presentation of symbolic items represented continuity, unity, and divine guidance. An offering, given joyfully by members, symbolized gratitude and a renewed commitment to the association’s mission. The funds raised during the celebration were dedicated to future projects such as scholarships, community outreach, and initiatives that strengthen the next generation. This reminded the community that thanksgiving is not only about words but also about action. To give back is to participate in God’s ongoing work, ensuring that blessings received become blessings shared.
The prayers offered during the service encompassed a wide range of intentions. There were prayers of thanksgiving for forty years of existence, prayers for leadership, prayers for the youth, and prayers for the future of the association. Special intercessions were made for the homeland, Ghana, and for the GaDangme people everywhere. The association asked for divine guidance, peace, and progress, both in the diaspora and in their ancestral lands. In that sacred moment, the distance between Washington DC and Accra seemed to disappear, as the hearts of the people connected through prayer to their homeland. It was a reaffirmation of identity, faith, and unity that transcended geography.
As the service reached its climax, the sense of gratitude deepened. The atmosphere was charged with emotion as the final songs of thanksgiving were sung. Some closed their eyes in prayer, others raised their hands in worship, and many were moved to tears, tears of joy, remembrance, and awe at how far they had come. The presence of God was palpable, felt in the unity of spirit and the sincerity of gratitude. When the final benediction was pronounced, it did not signal an ending but a new beginning, a sending forth into the next phase of the association’s journey, renewed by faith and strengthened by thanksgiving.
After the service, the celebration continued in fellowship. Members gathered to share food, laughter, and conversation, turning the solemnity of worship into the warmth of community. Tables were filled with Ghanaian delicacies, and the atmosphere shifted from reverence to joy on the first floor of the church building. Children played, elders shared stories, and the entire space resonated with the sounds of life and belonging. This fellowship meal was a living expression of gratitude, a communal act that reinforced the togetherness that has defined the GaDangme Association for four decades. It served as a reminder that thanksgiving does not end at the altar but continues in the everyday act of sharing and caring for one another.
The 40th Anniversary Thanksgiving Service of the GaDangme Association of the Washington DC Metropolitan Area stood as one of the most significant moments in the history of the association. It encapsulated everything the community represents, faith, unity, culture, and gratitude. It reminded everyone present that while the association’s achievements are remarkable, its greatest strength lies in its spiritual foundation. For forty years, it has not only preserved culture but also cultivated faith; not only promoted identity but also nurtured character. This service was, therefore, both a culmination and a renewal, a celebration of where they have been and a dedication to where they are going.
As the sun went down on the day of thanksgiving, the hearts of all who attended were filled with renewed hope. They carried with them the memories of songs, prayers, and fellowship, and a deeper appreciation for what God has done through their community. The founders’ vision was honored, the present generation’s efforts celebrated, and the future entrusted into divine hands. The Thanksgiving Service will be remembered not just as an event but as a defining spiritual moment, a time when the GaDangme people, far from their homeland, stood together in gratitude and faith, declaring with one voice that all glory belongs to God.
The GaDangme Association of the Washington DC Metropolitan Area, after forty years of growth and endurance, now looks ahead with confidence, knowing that the same divine guidance that brought them this far will continue to lead them to greater heights. The Thanksgiving Service sealed this assurance in their hearts and reaffirmed their identity as a people of faith, unity, and purpose. It reminded them that though they live in the diaspora, their spirit remains rooted in both God and heritage. And as they left the sanctuary, filled with joy and reverence, they knew that the story of their community is far from over, it is only entering a new chapter, one that will be guided, as always, by grace.
The 40th Anniversary Thanksgiving Service will forever stand as a defining moment, a service to remember, a service that honors the past, celebrates the present, and ignites the future of the GaDangme Association of the Washington DC Metropolitan Area. Taptap Send, Krowbw House, and Goldstar Air, the wings of Ghana and the belly of America, were among the proud sponsors of the 40th Anniversary Celebration.
