From Sebastian R. Freiku
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, has advised Asantes in North America to live in peace, unity, and love and support one another. The King also admonished Asantes in the Diaspora to pull their resources together for the common good of Asanteman.
The Omanhene of the Tepa Traditional Area, Dr. Nana Adusei Atwenewaa Ampem I, gave the advice while representing the Asantehene at a durbar marking the biggest gathering of Asante natives in Washington recently.
The day, dubbed, ‘Asante Day 2014′ is celebrated to promote and celebrate the unity, history and culture of the Asante people, demonstrate their continued allegiance to the Golden Stool, and to raise funds for some developmental projects in the Asanteman Areas of Ghana.
It was organised by the Asanteman Council of North America (ACONA), and hosted by the Asanteman Association of the Washington Metropolitan Area.
The goal for this year’s event was to raise funds to improve maternal care in Asanteman by acquiring hospital beds and mattresses for maternity wards of clinics and health facilities.
Nana Adusei Atwenewaa Ampem I was accompanied by a retinue of chiefs and queenmothers from Ghana, including Nana Amoah Gyaami Ofori Panin III, Otumfuo Danpankesehene/Aprabohene, Nana Obuo Gyau, Bechem Adumhene, Nana Bonti Marfo, Agogo Adontenhene, Nana Nimo Wiredu Ampem I, Asokore Nyanfa Kontihene, and Nana Nti Yeboah Sakyi, Nana Serwaa Brakatu (Adum Afrancho Nkosuohemaa), and Nana Nimo Twumwaa Achiaa (Kwaaman Aboafuohemaa).
Mrs. Susan O. Kodua-Brobbey, an oncology nurse practitioner, entreated the gathering to be conscious of their health and maintain healthy lifestyles for a prolonged lifespan.
She congratulated ACONA for choosing to raise funds to help improve maternal health in Asanteman, and acknowledged the role of President Kwasi Agyemang, host of the association, the Executive Council, Council of Elders, and the Asante Day 2014 Planning Committee towards a successful Asante Day 2014 celebration.
Dr. Philip Bannor, a medical practitioner, who presided over the durbar, admonished Asantes to be knowledgeable about Asante culture, in order to preserve and promote it.
A grand Fundraising Dinner/Dance at the Springfield Hilton climaxed the Asante Day 2014 celebrations, where almost 500 attendees had the pleasure and honour of dining and sharing the dancing floor with Otumfuo’s representative and other Asante royals and dignitaries.
The Fundraising Dinner/Dance event was chaired by Mr. Charles N. Ofori, CPA, who encouraged the attendees to donate generously to the worthy cause identified by ACONA.
Several organisations and individuals, including the Edusei Foundation, George and Angela Owusu Foundation, Mr. Charles N. Ofori, CPA, Dr. Philip Bannor, Ms Antoinette Duah, Ms Sophia Kyerematen, and Mr. Gabby Kyerematen among others, made contributions and pledges to support the cause.
Among the highlights of the congress this year was the selection of Nana Adu Poku, Asantefuohene of Cincinnati, Ohio, as the new ACONA President, who took over from Nana Acheampong Tieku, Asantefuohene of New York.
ACONA also accepted the Asanteman Association of New York’s request to host Asante Day 2015.