It began with a spark—an idea shared between two compassionate nurses, Laura Cynthia Boakye and Mansah Larbi. Their initial curiosity to connect fellow nurses evolved into something far greater than they imagined. What started as a simple contact list has now flourished into a vibrant and forward-looking organization: Ghana Nurses Association Illinois (GNAI).
On February 23, 2025, the first virtual meeting took place via Zoom. Seventy-eight Ghanaian nurses across Illinois answered the call, drawn by a shared desire to unite, uplift, and serve. From that inaugural gathering, word-of-mouth spread, and the circle grew. Today, the Association boasts an impressive 170 members—and counting.
GNAI meets monthly, adapting to members’ demanding schedules by alternating between the third and fourth Sunday evenings. Every three months, the online squares give way to in-person hugs and handshakes. Their first face-to-face meeting on June 29, 2025, was a celebration of presence, purpose, and pride.
Now officially registered as a not-for-profit organization in the state of Illinois, GNAI is steadily working toward achieving federal nonprofit status. Steering the organization with integrity and commitment are its acting officers: Laura Cynthia Boakye (President, 630-220-5810), Mansah Larbi (Vice President and Secretary, 630-550-8290), and Patricia Akuamoah-Boateng (Treasurer, 630-276-9849). Thirteen dedicated patrons serve as moral and strategic anchors, offering seasoned wisdom and unwavering support.
While growth and visibility are important, GNAI’s heartbeat is service. The Association’s mission is simple yet powerful: to build a professional, caring network of Ghanaian nurses who invest in one another and the communities they call home. Their slogan—We care and serve with joy—is not just a tagline, but a lived experience.
GNAI stands on values that reflect their roots and aspirations:
- Their number one mission is to give back to the community.
- Engage in activities that promote community health and wellness.
- Support one another’s professional and personal development through mentoring, education, and shared leadership.
- Maintain transparency, accountability, and respect across all roles and responsibilities.
At their gatherings, whether virtual or in person, patrons and invited guests offer words of wisdom and encouragement. They urge members to stay mission-focused, rise above distractions, and lead with integrity and humility.
Dr. Abraham Oppong Agyei, visiting from Ghana, implored members to see their work as a public health mission—not just a social endeavor. Offering his skills in Occupational Health and preventive care, he reminded them of the healing power in unity and purpose. He urged them to serve the various Ghanaian organizations in Chicago and its metropolis.
At the meeting each member affirmed their pledge to uplift the Association and one another, vowing to contribute their time, their dues, and their spirit in ways that build stronger, healthier communities. The pledge carried not just as duty, but deep belief—that no one stands above another, and every voice matters.
The meeting wasn’t all business, though. They pulse with life. Ghanaian gospel music and highlife rhythms echo through the air, nourishing the soul as generously as the food gracing the tables. There’s laughter, dancing, and a shared joy that makes this Association more than an organization—it’s a family.
If you are a Ghanaian nurse living in Illinois and searching for a place where professionalism meets passion, and service is celebrated with sincerity, camaraderie and song, the door is open. Come find your home in the Ghana Nurses Association Illinois.
