On August 6th the newly formed OCONA-under the auspices of the various Okyeman Associations within Continental USA and CANADA held its inaugural ceremony at the SLIGO Adventist School, 8300 Carrol Avenue, Takoma Park, Maryland with the theme of PROMOTING UNITY including other relevant issues concerning Okyeman (Abuakwa, Kotoku and Bosome. The Okyeman Association of Washington Metro under the leadership of Nana Yaa Larbi played a major row as host of the ceremony.

The high-profile event began with the arrival of delegates from chapter membership within Continental USA and CANADA. Initial meeting was held by the Presidents and other representatives from the various chapters at the Vista Garden Market Place (AVALAR Smart Choice Realty office) to review accomplishments to-date and other parameter required to make OCONA a formidable organization. An open forum Chaired by Kwame Otieku, the facilitator of OCONA affairs was held immediately after the leadership meeting. This forum served as questions and answers session for general membership to understand OCONA and its goals and aspiration, expectations and trend of moving OCONA forward to become an exemplary Non-profit organization.

The main event held at the SLIGO ADVENTIST School was a spectacle…a thing of beauty! The bride of Okyeman was really up with over five hundred participants in their elegant cultural outfits at the event. The Master of ceremony Kofi Ayim, editor of AMANDLA news magazine, New Jersey was fantastic. The keynote speech was delivered by the Ghana Ambassador to the USA His Excellency Daniel Ohene Agyekum, who analyzed in his address the “giant” step taken by OCONA and path way to sustain this organization.

The interim president of OCONA, Clement Asare also had the opportunity to introduce the leadership within OCONA- Presidents and representatives from the various chapters. Mr. Clement highlighted some of OCONA’s accomplishments to-date:

- Establishment of principal office in the State of Maryland, - Constitution and By-Laws governing OCONA has been promulgated as of October 11, 2010,

- Federal Tax Identification # has been assigned

- Operating under the Tax Exempt status as determined by the US government Federal Income Tax under section 501 c (3) of the Internal Revenue Code

Mr. Clement stressed the need to be inclusive; and asked Akyem descendants to join their local chapters.

The climax of the event was the abbreviated OHUM festival orchestrated by the Elder Kwabena Asare of Philadelphia; and the team from Toronto led by Kwabena Asare Yeboah, President and Webmaster Febian Frimpong.

The ceremony ended with music and dance to the latest highlife hits! Members of Association attended were Okyeman Associations from Massachusetts, Maryland, Virginia, Chicago, Ohio, Atlanta, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut and Toronto Canada. For any information please call the President Mr. Clement Asare, PRO Mr. Maxwell Danso Abiam on 847-287-3456 and 774-253-7563 or visit our website at www.okyemancouncil.com .

Maxwell Danso Abiam (PRO)