By Fuvi Kloku
Bolingbrook, Illinois — December 27, 2025
The First Presbyterian Church Hall in Bolingbrook came alive with culture, unity, and celebration. It was here that the Southern Volta Association (SVA) held its 2025 Christmas Party , an evening rich with tradition, philanthropy, and the unmistakable warmth of a community that has grown far beyond its humble beginnings.
What began nine years ago in basements and small rented rooms has now blossomed into a 200‑capacity hall , celebrating identity, purpose, and shared destiny. And on this night, the SVA told its story with pride.
The evening opened with a Ewe hymn , a gentle, melodic reminder that “how good and beautiful it is when brothers and sisters dwell together in unity.” The hall fell into a reverent hush as voices rose, weaving together the spirit of home and the promise of togetherness in the diaspora. It was more than a song. It was a declaration.
The SVA President ,Mr. Donatus Kotogbor, delivered a stirring address that traced the association’s journey from a modest group of 14 to a thriving family of 56 active dues‑paying members. A growth he described as both humbling and inspiring. “We began as a small circle determined to preserve the culture of the Southern Volta,” he said. “Today, we are a community , open, welcoming, and committed to values that bind us together.” He outlined the association’s core principles, agreed upon by all members: unity and mutual support; respect and dignity for all regardless of status or title; honesty, loyalty, and transparent conflict resolution; and equality in benefits and opportunities. “You don’t see head table,” he emphasized.It means “No hierarchy of importance. Whether you are a Chief , “Egwe”, or a newcomer, we are all equal and one people.”
The SVA’s impact in recent years has gone far beyond celebration. In Ghana, the association donated items to the tune of $2,000 to the Ho Leprosarium, another $2,000 to tidal‑wave victims in the Volta Region The organization donated $3,000 to CEANA to provide assistance to communities affected by the Volta Dam spillage.
In the United States, members volunteered at the Feed My Starving Children. They packaged 25,272 meals , enough to feed 69 malnourished children across Asia and Africa recently .
The association also supported members facing bereavement, illness, graduations, birthdays, and weddings, while strengthening its brand through banners, cultural cloth, and community presence.
The evening was masterfully guided by Mama Sedudzi (Empress Mawusi), whose poise, humor, and effortless command of the room kept the program flowing with grace and energy.
What began as a local cultural group has matured into a charitable force, now proudly registered as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit entity .
This year’s picnic Dzenkple was served and it became the star of the menu.
At the Christmas party, the tradition continued, tables overflowed with food and drinks, each dish carrying the aroma of home. The Angelic Voices of SVA filled the hall with Christmas carols, their harmonies lifting spirits and reminding all present of the season’s meaning. And in a touching moment, the association celebrated Mr. Annani Akollor, whose 80th birthday fell on the very day of the event. The hall erupted in applause as he was honored , a living bridge between generations.
President Kotogbor outlined a bold roadmap for the years ahead: expanded community support for orphanages, schoolchildren, and hospitals in Ghana; collaboration with other Ghanaian associations in Chicago; and increased volunteer programs. He emphasized member welfare and capacity building, including health partnerships with the Ghana Community Clinic and the Ghana Nurses Association Illinois, as well as financial literacy programs and strengthened welfare support. He reaffirmed the association’s commitment to cultural preservation, using events like the Christmas party and annual picnic to teach, celebrate, and pass on Southern Volta traditions.
The presence of dignitaries , including the GNC President-elect ,Mr. Effah Ameyaw, Reverend Dzifanu Agbenya “ The Messanger “ , Rev. Fr. Pius Kokose and Rev. Fr. Samuel Bagyo and other and elders in the community, underscored the association’s growing influence. But perhaps the most powerful symbol of SVA’s future was the 32 children in attendance , all gifted Christmas presents, represents the next custodians of the culture.
From basements to banquet halls. From 14 members to 56. From local gatherings to international charity. From cultural preservation to community transformation. The Southern Volta Association’s 2025 Christmas celebration was more than a party , it was a testament to what unity, purpose, and cultural pride can build. As the night drew to a close, President Kotogbor thanked his executives, members, guests, and the wider community. And as laughter echoed and music lingered, one truth was unmistakable: SVA is not just growing , it is rising.
