CONSTANTINE DAVID-GNAHOUI
Deputy Secretary General for Cultural Resource Management, Travel and Tourism of the Alabama-Benin Economic Cooperative Forum. International Liaison Coordinator for the Community Connections Committee, Chairman of Jamii-Africa and General Delegate of the High Council of Beninese People Abroad
Mr. Constantine David- Gnahoui was born in Benin, West Africa and is now a resident of Silver Springs, MD. He and his delegation members from the High Council of Beninese People Abroad will be in Mobile, Alabama during the Community Connections Juneteenth Week entitled “Family Reunion”. Mr. Gnahoui’s relationship with Alabama goes back many years when he began a lifelong friendship with the late former Mayor of Prichard, John H. Smith.
Completing his Bachelor in Arts degree at the National University of Benin in 1976 with major in Translation & Interpretation. He later was sent to France where he got a Master Degree in Public Relations in 1978. From 1978 to 1980 he graduated from the National Institute ofTelecommunications in France with special emphasis on Technical Writing, Ciphering and Cryptography.His very first assignment upon his return to Benin in 1981 was at the Department of Foreign Affairs in Cotonou where he served as a Public Relations Officer and Interpreter. In that capacity, he created multi-lingual documents and reports for the office of the Foreign AffairsMinister. He helped organize international seminars and conferences as wellas assisting the Minister at official functions. From 1982 to 1987, he was appointed as a Diplomat to serve at the Benin Embassy in Washington, DC. In that capacity, he was both the Information and Cultural Affairs Officer. He assisted the Ambassador in proposing and negotiating with the World Bank and the IMF for the financing of major development projects in Benin. Most importantly, he provided assistance to Beninese citizens living, visiting or studying in the United States. He translated documents and managed classified information including contract preparation and administration.Today, Mr. Constantine Gnahoui -David is active in the private sector but he still uses his expertise and experience to provide assistance to his country in several ways. As the Chairman of the High Council of Beninese Abroad, heworks as the liaison between the Beninese government and his compatriots living abroad. He is also the chairman of Jamii-Africa which is an NGO created to bridge the gap between Africans from the Motherland and people ofAfrican origin in the diaspora. Mr. Constantine Gnahoui-David speaks several foreign languages in addition to his native African dialects.
He tells us, “I feel more than honored to be part of an organization that is making history moment by moment. The bringing together of Africa and its Diaspora for Cultural, Educational, Economic, Spiritual and Agricultural partnership is historical. Especially for an event as important as Juneteenth. My people are not aware of this history, and so it educates us to the commonalities of suffering we both share. It reunites brother to brother and sister to sister. It opens dialogue and rekindles friendships of long ago. I am also proud that the Honorable John H. Smith, my dear dear friend gave me this appointment 2 weeks before he passed away. I will insure everything he asked me to do and to carry out will be accomplished in my lifetime.”
Below is a copy of the original Letter of Appointment given to Mr. Gnahoui by John Smith
Deputy Secretary General for Cultural Resource Management, Travel and Tourism of the Alabama-Benin Economic Cooperative Forum. International Liaison Coordinator for the Community Connections Committee, Chairman of Jamii-Africa and General Delegate of the High Council of Beninese People Abroad
Mr. Constantine David- Gnahoui was born in Benin, West Africa and is now a resident of Silver Springs, MD. He and his delegation members from the High Council of Beninese People Abroad will be in Mobile, Alabama during the Community Connections Juneteenth Week entitled “Family Reunion”. Mr. Gnahoui’s relationship with Alabama goes back many years when he began a lifelong friendship with the late former Mayor of Prichard, John H. Smith.
Completing his Bachelor in Arts degree at the National University of Benin in 1976 with major in Translation & Interpretation. He later was sent to France where he got a Master Degree in Public Relations in 1978. From 1978 to 1980 he graduated from the National Institute ofTelecommunications in France with special emphasis on Technical Writing, Ciphering and Cryptography.His very first assignment upon his return to Benin in 1981 was at the Department of Foreign Affairs in Cotonou where he served as a Public Relations Officer and Interpreter. In that capacity, he created multi-lingual documents and reports for the office of the Foreign AffairsMinister. He helped organize international seminars and conferences as wellas assisting the Minister at official functions. From 1982 to 1987, he was appointed as a Diplomat to serve at the Benin Embassy in Washington, DC. In that capacity, he was both the Information and Cultural Affairs Officer. He assisted the Ambassador in proposing and negotiating with the World Bank and the IMF for the financing of major development projects in Benin. Most importantly, he provided assistance to Beninese citizens living, visiting or studying in the United States. He translated documents and managed classified information including contract preparation and administration.Today, Mr. Constantine Gnahoui -David is active in the private sector but he still uses his expertise and experience to provide assistance to his country in several ways. As the Chairman of the High Council of Beninese Abroad, heworks as the liaison between the Beninese government and his compatriots living abroad. He is also the chairman of Jamii-Africa which is an NGO created to bridge the gap between Africans from the Motherland and people ofAfrican origin in the diaspora. Mr. Constantine Gnahoui-David speaks several foreign languages in addition to his native African dialects.
He tells us, “I feel more than honored to be part of an organization that is making history moment by moment. The bringing together of Africa and its Diaspora for Cultural, Educational, Economic, Spiritual and Agricultural partnership is historical. Especially for an event as important as Juneteenth. My people are not aware of this history, and so it educates us to the commonalities of suffering we both share. It reunites brother to brother and sister to sister. It opens dialogue and rekindles friendships of long ago. I am also proud that the Honorable John H. Smith, my dear dear friend gave me this appointment 2 weeks before he passed away. I will insure everything he asked me to do and to carry out will be accomplished in my lifetime.”
Below is a copy of the original Letter of Appointment given to Mr. Gnahoui by John Smith
Alabama Benin
Trade and Economic Cooperation Forum
550 Brady Road PO Box 1028 Bay Minette, Alabama 36507
Office of the Chairman
September 15, 2006
Constantine G. David
Chairman HCBE for the
United States and Caribbean
Washington, DC 20009
Dear Constantine:
I am honored to provide you with this letter of appointment as Deputy Secretary General for Cultural Resource Management, Travel and Tourism for the Forum. The position is at will and designates you with the responsibility to plan design, organize, manage, install and evaluate all of the activities of the Forum in the United States and in Benin related to our cultural resources tourism and travel interest. You are also designated to serve Ex Officio on any committee of the Forum where these interest are discussed and your expertise is needed. The responsibilities include but are not limited to the following.
1. Coordinate the selection, evaluation, display and management of cultural and artistic exhibits, exhibit tours, directly and indirectly with museums, hotels, and convention and exhibit centers.
2. Coordinate and manage travel directly and indirectly with travel agencies, tour companies, airlines on and in behalf of the Forum
3. Conduct tour of tourist sites and destinations for visitors, students, historians and business travelers.
4. Develop programs for tourism and travel between Benin and the State of Alabama.
5. Develop linkages between the High Council and Beninese Abroad to improve our cultural bonds.
6. Coordinate and manage all artists, cultural troupes, dancers, singers etc in furtherance of the “Reconciliation Renaissance” and Spirit of Diasjazzpora.
7. Engage in all things necessary, ethical, legal, and honorable to advance the Reconciliation Renaissance and the causes of the Alabama Benin Forum.
I want to thank you for your friendship, leadership and persistence in making our movement the success it is today and for what history will remember us for. It is because of your energy and dedication to the cause of a better humanity through reconciliation that we have come this for and in the name of God I thank you.
Respectfully
John H. Smith
Chairman
Trade and Economic Cooperation Forum
550 Brady Road PO Box 1028 Bay Minette, Alabama 36507
Office of the Chairman
September 15, 2006
Constantine G. David
Chairman HCBE for the
United States and Caribbean
Washington, DC 20009
Dear Constantine:
I am honored to provide you with this letter of appointment as Deputy Secretary General for Cultural Resource Management, Travel and Tourism for the Forum. The position is at will and designates you with the responsibility to plan design, organize, manage, install and evaluate all of the activities of the Forum in the United States and in Benin related to our cultural resources tourism and travel interest. You are also designated to serve Ex Officio on any committee of the Forum where these interest are discussed and your expertise is needed. The responsibilities include but are not limited to the following.
1. Coordinate the selection, evaluation, display and management of cultural and artistic exhibits, exhibit tours, directly and indirectly with museums, hotels, and convention and exhibit centers.
2. Coordinate and manage travel directly and indirectly with travel agencies, tour companies, airlines on and in behalf of the Forum
3. Conduct tour of tourist sites and destinations for visitors, students, historians and business travelers.
4. Develop programs for tourism and travel between Benin and the State of Alabama.
5. Develop linkages between the High Council and Beninese Abroad to improve our cultural bonds.
6. Coordinate and manage all artists, cultural troupes, dancers, singers etc in furtherance of the “Reconciliation Renaissance” and Spirit of Diasjazzpora.
7. Engage in all things necessary, ethical, legal, and honorable to advance the Reconciliation Renaissance and the causes of the Alabama Benin Forum.
I want to thank you for your friendship, leadership and persistence in making our movement the success it is today and for what history will remember us for. It is because of your energy and dedication to the cause of a better humanity through reconciliation that we have come this for and in the name of God I thank you.
Respectfully
John H. Smith
Chairman
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