Traditional chiefs in the Ghanaian community were present at the renaming of Victoria Street to Ghanaian Way

Victoria Street, a one-way exit off Route 22 East that bisects Empire Street and empties into Frelinghuysen, is now known as "Ghanaian Way." The proclamation of "Ghanaian Way" by Newark Municipal Council is to honor the Ghanaian community in Newark, New Jersey.

The naming ceremony, held June 25, was characterized with pomp and pageantry and attracted Ghanaian and other Africans from the tri-state metro area to the Washington DC metro area. The event also attracted elected officials and other luminaries who are well aware of the growing Ghanaian community in New Jersey's largest city.

This was the second time that the West Africans had gathered at the same location for a celebration. Last year hundreds poured there after Ghana defeated the United States 2-1 in the World Cup quarter-final match.

Incidentally, that celebration brought out Newark's finest to maintain peace and order. It was that celebration that precipitated the idea of "Ghanaian Way".

In an opening address, Councilman Ras Baraka paid tributes to Africa Heritage and said that "when we (Africans) celebrate, we call the heaven down to earth, and today we celebrate in glory to Africa that we left as kings and queens and will go back as kings and queens." He suggested: "the way we talk, walk, and dance has roots from Africa." The Southward (Newark, NJ) councilman recounted his early childhood development within the context of African personality and pride as hallmark of his family.

Congressman Donald M Payne Sr., praised the evolving democratic dispensation currently being experienced in Ghana and highlighted the struggles that many African countries had to endure to attain political independence. The Congressman's involvement in Africa and Africans in New Jersey and beyond is an open book.

A crowd of Ghanaians assembled at the venue for the renaming of Victoria Street to Ghanaian Way

New Jersey State Assemblywoman Cleopatra Tucker paid tributes to her late City and State legislator Donald "Nana Kofi" for his keen interest in Ghana. The late city councilman and state assemblyman Tucker had long time affiliation to Ghana and Ghanaian community in his constituents.

Councilwoman-at-large Mildred Crump, known among her peers as "Ghana girl" praised her colleague Councilman Baraka and the Newark Municipal Council for steering the proposed idea into fruition.

"It is not about Victoria anymore, it's about us," she crowed, a point hammered home by Newark Municipal Council President Hon. Donald Payne Jr. The crowd went wild in joy when the Council President ended his speech with "and Ghanaian Way is the right way."