Association’s vision 2020 on 2-frontal development efforts, says report.

Amsterdam-Holland-- The year 2011 marked a historic turning point in the running of Switzerland chapter of Kwahu Europe Association, inaugurated in Zurich about 7 years ago, with a slight increase of about 40% on its membership drive program.

While strenuous efforts were made to reach large segments of Kwahu citizens in Switzerland, “our membership drive program, apparently achieved greater results in canton Zurich, with minor responses from other regions:-Romande/Italian sections, the association says in its annual report released at a recent conference of Kwahu Europe Association held in Amsterdam, with delegates drawn from seven (7) countries-- Britain, Holland, Italy, France, Switzerland, Germany and France.

The report indicates, however, that relentless forts were still being initiated under a new code of ‘get-in-touch’, in a move to reach all—Kwahu citizens in Switzerland. “Under this program, various medium of communications are being explored, and will be exploited, including direct telephone calls, leaflets and personal contacts to be able to reach our brothers and sisters. Part of this our mobilization plans will also be geared to attracting the YOUTH: finally, forming a youth wing of the society.

“In this respect, a special committee is being set up to explore/examine healthy youth programs, which will be more attractive and convincing, to help bring our young ones into the association’s premises. Apart from these local efforts to reach the Kwahus in Swiss, the association feels happy to be associated with mobilization, meetings or conferences of Kwahu Europe activities; which we, meeting here today bear witness to its fruitful results; uniting members from 7 European countries”.

The report suggested that serious efforts should be made to reach Kwahu Citizens in the Scandinavian countries, like Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland.

Briefly, says the report, in the year 2006 the association was able to ferry 2 ambulances to Ghana, which went directly to Kwahu Government Hospital and its sister medical centre at Agogo Presbyterian Hospital. These ambulances to our knowledge are still operating, serving to provide needed medical attention to many in Kwahus and Ashanti Region and other commuters.

“We will pause here to also express our sincere thanks to Messrs. Medtronic Inc, for allocation of a number of computers to the Association. Apparently, it took a long period of time to re-program the machines to suit the environment; additionally, the association had to purchases flat screens to fully equip the computers. So far, the machines have been shipped to Ghana: just last week, we received the news that they’ve been taken delivery at the Tema Harbor. I will pause here to express my sincere gratitude and thanks to all members for contributing in cash or in kind to the effort”.

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Report 2 Amsterdam:

On the Association’s Vision 2020, the report says, it will Focus on a 2-front developmental effort:-

1. Provision for infrastructural development 2. Human Resources Development.

“Our mobilization efforts should not be geared or be focused to lay infrastructures for development only in Kwahu traditional area; part of the program should be directed to human resources development, encouraging members in the Diaspora to up-grade their status; while creating awareness for entrepreneurship involvement and practices.

“It should direct our descendants or children to gainful formation and opportunities, to enable them, gain a sound standing, gain deep roots, advance in their chosen fields of endeavor; awareness should be created to direct our wards to undertake studies/professions, not ignoring the immense opportunities/benefits in multi-billion dollar industries in sports, in its various fields, like football/tennis/golf/boxing/athletics: Arts/Entertainment with exploitation of golden opportunities in music and cinema”

The report cited high achievements of. Football players like Prince Boateng (AC-Milan), Asamoah-Gyan, singers like the Street-rapper Kwae-Kese, Becca, actress Jackie Appiah and Dancer Abigail Dawson, indicating “such diamond prospect must be exploited to the full for the benefit of society.

The report points out that, career/professional choices “turn to raise very complex questions, especially for our children or wards with roots in 2 continents, at times due to matters relating to ‘clash of cultures’ a terminology defined by social experts and commentators:

“such phenomenon, leads to crisis, confusion, despondency and frustration; but we should in our determination through application of sound management practices, and ‘by creating the best out of a bad situation’, reverse seemingly failures into success.

“Some of the parents have successfully taken bold steps in these trying times, through application of stern measures and financial sacrifices, to upgrade level of their wards. It should become one of the main objectives of the ‘Think Tank’ of experts, as suggested by the President, to undertake such advisory exercise to give counseling and guidance, enabling our wards to achieve their set objectives”.

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Report 3 Amsterdam:

Touching on education, the association says, in Switzerland, like elsewhere in Europe, educational facilities or programs have been stretched/outlined with back-up financial packages, to assist all those, willing to up-grade their learning capabilities -- including Adult education programs—The government provides such programs to assist all, without any form of discrimination, choices of color or creed. The courses ranges from financial management, banking, and salesmanship to cooking, coupled with studies in various languages, to programs in computer studies and sciences, commerce. We should have to take advantage of existing programs.

In Ghana, while we’ve been struggling for infrastructural services, in the form of construction/rehabilitation of schools, we feel serious efforts should be geared in the effective and proper formation of the end product”, that’s the pupil or student. Ghana turns about 50,000 graduates yearly from the country's tertiary institutions with about 42% remaining unemployed for a long period of time. With the availability of funds, some of these graduates could be hired, to reinforce teaching staff, to expand instructions in the various fields of schooling on the lines of the American Peace Corps program. We can, at the same time, stimulate undergraduates take up teaching appointments during vacation periods in schools in the Kwahu area.

“We will also seize the opportunity to plead with this house, on this platform not to ignore the effectiveness of scholarship awards to qualified respondents, in our efforts to enhance specialized training programs”.

On Heath: “We’re appealing to this house for the 2nd time, to examine opportunities offered under Ghana’s National health Insurance program, to enable respondents have access to insurance coverage; for the biggest human asset we can have in life, therefore is health. Undoubtedly, we can assist our folks acquire health insurance policy though NHIS agents in our community.

“Clause No 1, under the health policy gives an indication that; - children under the age of 18 Whose parents/guardians are contributors, are not required to pay contributions to the fund, but must register, paying 4 Ghs. Clause 3: Residents of 70 years and over are exempted from payment of contributions, but must register with payment of 4 GHS, adding 1,000 Euros will offer health insurance cover to over 500 people, enabling them to have access to quality health care.”

End.