The Offinsoman Union of the Washington DC Metropolitan area celebrated their annual get-to-gether in a potluck style with a picnic held on July 18th 2009 in Alexandria, Virginia – USA. The fest was overwhelmingly attended by Union members, friends and families and also visitors from different States within the United States. Offinmanfest is held annually by the Union with the motive of connecting and bonding with loved ones, bringing a sense of propensity, social belongingness and also instilled among members family orientation and intimacy. The occasion was embraced with passion and enthusiasm by the attendees. Grills were fired up, kids were playing soccer. Among other activities were games such as Ludo, Draft, Oware, etc.

The key note speaker of the event, Mr. Osei Dankwah also a native of Offinso - Ahenkro delivered a passionate speech during his address. He elaborated on the harsh condition of the health sector, lack of basic equipment for the hospital staff and also inability for the district to retain medical doctors, nurses and many other skilled staff. He shared with the members his recent visit to Offinso, and suggested many means by which we can come together as a Union to help deal with this situation. He appealed to members to make it an urgent priority to donate in any kind to help the development of Offinsoman. He asked of the members the need to see beyond their contributions, but also to research into ways and means to get different organizations on board to extend aid to the District and Ghana as a whole. He encouraged members to continue the good job of paying their dues and asked them to chip in from time to time some extra cash when possible to help tackle the poor conditions that prevail in the town.

Mr. Stephen Mensah, the secretary of the union spoke about the new developments and the initiatives being put in place to move the union to the new direction. He spoke about the new emerging technology which would reach out to every Offinsoman native throughout the world. He hinted to the members of the Unions website which is yet to be launched. He spoke about the new developments in the Union meeting program. The Union has a lineup of various guest speakers for the rest of the year’s meetings. The speakers would be touching on topics ranging from health, wellness, personal finance, education, immigration etc. He also appealed to members to come out with topics that are of importance to them so that session on the topic will be incorporated into the annual program. He urged members to visit the website frequently for updated events and programs and more so news about Offinsoman.

Mr. Owusu kwarteng, the financial secretary of the union applauded the establishment of the union’s website. He stressed on the need for the Union to entrench itself in the global platform through the use of the website to provide resourceful information to all Offinsoman natives throughout the world. He gave out a brilliant idea such as putting into force a bi-annual conference for all Offinsoman natives throughout the world. This will serve as a periodic event used to bring together the Offinsoman natives living in the Diaspora and also raise funds to finance developmental projects in the town.

The President of the Union, Mr. Isaac Owusu Ansah in his closing remarks, accentuated on the milestone of the Union’s accomplishments and the long lasting relationship that they have nurtured since the emergence of the Union. He applauded the members of their dedication, willingness and the love of giving that they have cultured for the past seven years since the Union was established. He expressed his personal appreciation and heartfelt thanks to all of the members for avouching their resilience and buoyancy, fortitude and most of all, their humanity throughout the challenges for the past years. He also reached out to the visitors and those who have met the Union for the first time and gave them an open invitation to their meetings which is held on the first Sunday of every month in Virginia/Alexandria, Industrial Park.

Offinsoman Union of Washington DC Metropolitan area is a non-profit organization set up to support and contributes to the development of the Offinso District and the nation as a whole. Membership is open to both native residents of the District and non-native members residing in the Diaspora. The Union is financed by the contributions and donations given by its members. Their overall objective is to ensure that the local citizens will have access to the basic facilities needed to make Offinso a better place to live. Their support and contributions are not only limited to extending help to the local citizens back home, but also among members and their families living in the Washington DC Metropolitan.

If you are interested in joining or visiting the Union, please contact the publicity officer of the Union, Anim Addo Sampong. Email: nafeel12000@yahoo.com or visit our website: offinsomanunion.com. Please note that there are ongoing developments on the website.

Website: offinsomanunion.com