Someone You Should Know: The Relentless Community Spirit of Paa Kwasi Sam

In the heart of Chicago’s Ghanaian community, one name echoes with quiet strength and enduring impact: Paa Kwasi Sam. A man of unwavering commitment and boundless generosity, he has become a pillar of service, leadership, and transformation. His legacy is etched not in titles alone, but in the lives he has touched and the institutions he has uplifted.

Long before he assumed the presidency of the Ghana National Council of Metropolitan Chicago (GNC), the Okuapeaman Fekuw of Chicago, and the Okuapeman Association of USA and Canada (OKUSACA), Paa Kwasi was already a force in the community. He was the kind of leader who didn’t wait for a title to serve. Whether it was a funeral, a naming ceremony, or an outdoor celebration, he would often attend two to five events in a single evening simply to lend his presence and support. His devotion was never performative,it was personal, consistent, and deeply felt.

As Business Manager of the GNC, he helped reshape GhanaFest into a vibrant cultural showcase that drew thousands annually. But it was during his tenure as Vice President and later President from 2017 to 2022 that his leadership truly flourished. When he and President Ebenezer Nsiah took office, they inherited a council in financial distress, saddled with over $10,000 in debt and no reserves or bank account.

Undeterred, Paa Kwasi, alongside Steve Dei and a former president, mobilized resources and relationships. They secured a $15,000 donation from a trusted friend, and later, through a midnight strategy session in Flossmoor, persuaded Mrs. Beatrice Tayui to contribute an additional $10,000 later. Mrs. Tayui’s wise counsel also led them to implement structural reforms that would ensure the council’s long-term sustainability.

Under Paa Kwasi’s stewardship, GhanaFest became a marquee event, drawing nearly 5,000 attendees each year to Washington Park. Families from across the United States marked the last Saturday of July as a cultural pilgrimage to Chicago. The festival featured top-tier artists from Ghana and became a beacon of pride for the diaspora, until the pandemic temporarily paused its momentum. But Paa and his team responded with a flamboyant virtual celebration, preserving the spirit of the event.

His impact extended beyond the festival. When the council faced repeated financial losses from organizing Ghana’s Independence Day celebrations, Paa Kwasi and two fellow executives used their own funds to host the event. Their efforts yielded a profit of over $6,000, the second highest in the council’s history , after Ghana@50.

Perhaps most telling is the transformation of GhanaFest’s financial trajectory. Before Paa Kwasi’s presidency, the festival had suffered five consecutive years of losses despite gate charges started under John Henry Assabill ‘s regime . Under his leadership, it not only broke even but once generated a profit of over $35,000. The question lingered: what had gone wrong in the years before, and how did one man help turn it all around?

The answer lies in his character. Paa Kwasi Sam is not just a capable administrator, he is a servant , and an astute leader! He never missed meetings, never turned away from a call for help, and never put himself above the mission. His time, energy, and resources were always at the disposal of the community. He gave not because he had to, but because he believed in the power of unity, culture, and a shared purpose.

Paa inherited a situation when the Illinois Attorney General’s office wrote to the council to stop soliciting funds in the state. With the help of dedicated former GNC president , Paa was able to resolve the situation and successfully registered the GNC with the Illinois Charitable Trust Department.

Today, the Ghana National Council stands as a model association in North America, thanks in no small part to his vision and sacrifice. His legacy is not confined to financial reports or event attendance; it lives in the renewed spirit of a community that found its rhythm again under his guidance.

Paa Kwasi Sam is, quite simply, a gem.
A man whose humanity shines through every act of service.A leader whose story deserves to be known, remembered, and celebrated.

He is someone you should know.

Sankofaonline / Steve Dei