Chief Executive Officer Appointed

The Office of African Nova Scotian Affairs (ANSA)has its first chief executive officer.

Wayn Hamilton, currently the interim executive director, was appointed CEO, today, Sept. 28 in the Red Chamber of Province House. He was appointed by Premier John Hamm and welcomed to the position by Barry Barnet, Minister of African Nova Scotian Affairs, and various members of the African Nova Scotian community.

Mr. Hamilton has been with ANSA since November 2003. He was previously assigned to the Department of Education, where he was working as a student service consultant in the African Canadian Services Division.

Born in Beechville, Halifax Co., Mr. Hamilton holds undergraduate degrees in arts and education from Dalhousie and a master of arts in community development from the University of Guelph.

While at the Department of Education, Mr. Hamilton was involved in developing programs aimed at keeping Black students in school. Before joining the Department of Education, he was the assistant director of the International Education Centre at Saint Mary's University. He also worked with CUSO West Africa in Sierra Leone, Nigeria and Ghana.

"I am extremely pleased that Wayn has agreed to take on this challenge permanently," said Mr. Barnet. "Wayn has a solid background in community development, race relations, and his involvement in educational issues related to young African Nova Scotians is vast. He will see this office thrive and establish itself as an important part of the African Nova Scotian community and the provincial government."

ANSA now has a new office and is in the process of hiring staff.

The Office of African Nova Scotian Affairs' mandate is to assist, support and enhance the provincial government's delivery of services to African Nova Scotians. It is also to be a partner in developing innovative solutions that lead to self-reliance and sustainability for African Nova Scotian communities.