Strong Together
Connecting in the Community
We are all about connection. We want to create a place where you feel at home, are part of the community and can grow together. Discover activities, share stories and support each other in a warm, open climate.
Our mission and values
We believe in the power of togetherness. Our organisation focusses on fighting loneliness by creating a warm community where everyone feels welcome. We are committed to fostering social contacts and supporting our members through various activities that celebrate and strengthen Ghanaian cultural heritage.
With our events, workshops and initiatives, we not only want to build connections, but also to raise attention on the value of social support. We invite all adults to be part of this journey of discovery and to make a positive impact on our community together.
Stronger Together
Important Milestones in Our History
Historical Roots
The relationship between the Fante people and the Dutch dates back to the 17th century.
In 1637, the Dutch arrived in Elmina after learning of the economic importance of the coast through Barentz Eriksz of Medenblick. By 1642, they had taken control of Elmina from the Portuguese, becoming the dominant European presence on the central coast of what is now Ghana.
Unlike many colonial encounters elsewhere, relations between the Dutch and the Fante developed largely through peaceful cooperation and mutual benefit. Trade flourished, and social ties deepened. Intermarriages between Dutch settlers and Fante families gave rise to enduring family lineages that remain visible in Elmina today. Names such as Van Dijk, Vroom, Crabbe, Vanderpuye, Da Costa, Niezer, Bartels, Plange, Rühle, and De Heer stand as living reminders of this shared history
Elmina (Edina)
Elmina, known locally as Edina, is located on the Atlantic coast of Ghana, approximately 12 km west of Cape Coast, in today’s Central Region. It was the first European settlement in West Africa and remains a historically significant town with a population of around 35,000 people. For centuries, Elmina served as a key site of cultural exchange, commerce, and political negotiation between African states and European powers.
A Shift in Power
In 1872, following the Anglo-Dutch Treaties of 1870–1871, the Dutch formally ceded the Dutch Gold Coast to the United Kingdom. This marked the official end of Dutch political authority in the region, though cultural and familial ties endured long after.
Migration and a New Chapter
Nearly a century later, during the early 1970s, a new chapter began. As Ghana’s economy declined, many Fante people drew upon historic connections with the Netherlands and migrated there in search of opportunity. Over the following decades, the Fante community established itself primarily in Amsterdam South-East, integrating into Dutch society while maintaining strong cultural bonds.
The Birth of Mfantsiman
In 1992, tragedy struck the Bijlmermeer district of Amsterdam when a devastating plane crash deeply affected the local community. For the Fante diaspora, this moment exposed the need for collective organisation, mutual support, and cultural continuity. In response, members of the community came together to form the Mfantsiman Organisation. Its purpose was clear: - to support the social development of the Fante community in the Netherlands - to preserve and promote Fante culture - to provide guidance on Dutch laws and regulations and to support integration while maintaining identity Mfantsiman was born not from abstraction, but from necessity.
Giving Back
After 25 years of existence, Mfantsiman marked its Silver Jubilee with a renewed commitment to giving back to the society that had welcomed and sustained the community. Emphasis was placed on health awareness, recognising that wellbeing is essential for participation, contribution, and continuity. Anniversary activities included lectures on healthy living and workshops on nutrition and diet, reinforcing the idea that cultural strength and physical wellbeing go hand in hand.
meet the team