The idea to
form an association that would bring all Ewes
together in the Chicago Metropolitan area for the
common purpose was hatched at the residence of Dr. &
Mrs. Samuel Oklu located at 5483 South Hyde Park in
August 1974. Present at the meeting were the
following: Mr. Gilbert Kodzo Ntow, Mrs. Comfort
Kokuma, Mr. Julius Kokuma, Mr Yaphet Sampram, Mr.
Sampson Ababio, Mr. Kofi G. Agbley, and Mr. Lawrence
Kofi Asimah.
The first meeting was of the new association was
held in September 1974 in the basement of Mr.
Gilbert Ntow located at 6824 Harper. The new name of
the association called Milenovisi Habobo on a
suggestion of Mrs. Comfort Kokuma, was adopted at
this meeting. Present at the meeting were the
following: Dr. George Abatso, Dr. Emmanuel Bansa,
Dr. Francis Kokuma (Deceased), Ms.& Mrs KudzoAdigbli,
Mr. Edmond Kwaku Agbeko (deceased), Dr. Evans
Fiakpui, Dr.Richard Nyako and Mr. Kafui Amegashie.
The 1st officers elected at that meeting were: Dr.
Samuel Oklu as Chairman, Mr. Kafui Amegashie as
Secretary and Mr. Gilbert Ntow as the Treasurer. The
chairman remained in his position till 1976.
The founding was quite a historical landmark as it
was the first African ethnic community association
in North America. It paved the way for the growth of
African Associations based on ethnic identities
through out the United States.
As the idea of incorporation became seriously
considered and discussed, a committee was setup to
compile existing constitution with other statements;
byelaws and regulation that helped reaffirm the
Association as it became incorporated in November
1996 as Milenovisi Habobo Inc. of Metropolitan
Chicago. The members of the constitution update
committee included Mr. Clement Timpo as President,
Mr. David Kportufe as Secretary and J.K. Adigbli as
a member. In November 1996, a formal updated
constitution was re-adopted. Mr. Clement Timpo
continued as President following these changes. Thus
the list of presidents of the Ewe Association since
then follows in the order as shown below:
Mr. Kwame Ampofo (1982-1990)
Mr. Clement Timpo (1991-1998)
Mr.Charles Hodogbey (1999-2000)
Ms. Patience Adigbli (2001-2002)
Dr. Mark Kutame (2003-2010)
Mr. McGeoffreyAgbenorxevi Kutor (2011 – Present)
The constitution also provided for a traditional
council with the first chief (Dufia) as Togbe Venya
I (Kwame Ampofo). Members of his council included
Tog be Kudzo Adigbli Fiato,(Chief’s father), Togbe
Kafui Amegashie, Asafoatse, Togbe Akotsu Sampram,
Zikpuito (Stool Father), Amega Kodzo Ntow, Tsiami
(Linguist), Amega Kofi Fiadzigbe, Amega Kofi Boahene,
Dr. Evans Fiakpui, Amega Dr. E.Bansa and Amega Dr.
K. Tita Pongo as the Dume Metsitsi (Elders).
The first Queen mother (Nyonufia) appointed was Mama
Abra Amexo (Mrs. Comfort Bediako). Unable to perform
her responsibilities due to debilitating illness,
Ms. Salma Tahir was appointed regent (Nyonufia Tefe
Nola). On the passing of the queen mother, Ms. Salma
Tahir became Nyonufia with the following as members
of her council: Dada Patience Adigbli, Mamano
(Mother of the Queen mother), Dada Otilia Tette,
Tsami (Linguist). The elders (Dume Nyonutsitsi)
included Dada Comfort Kokuma, Dada B. Mante-Konku,
Dada Matilda Bosiako and Dada Lucy Dekayie.
Today, the Ewe Association faces many challenges.
The association does not receive the full
endorsement it once enjoyed. Dr Samuel Oklu put it
succinctly when he noted in 1995 during the 21st
Anniversary celebration of the association that the
association had “fallen back to a more or less
fringe status”. There are several sub-ethnic
divisions among Ewe Community. Dr. Oklu once again
captured the existence of the association vis-a-vis
the subgroups that these subgroup interests will
only acquire meaning if it leads to the promotion of
the larger group interests