The National Secretariat of Okuapemman Association of USA and Canada, the Umbrella Organization which unites all the established Okuapemman chapters in North America, wishes to bring to the attention of all chapters as well as the general public that, the annual Mid-year Delegates’ Conference will be held at Columbus, Ohio from May 28th-30th, 2010. Delegates from all the chapters of the Association will be arriving at Columbus, Ohio on Friday, May 28th, 2010 for this auspicious meeting.

The Mid-year meeting of delegates and observers has a paramount objective of formulating, discussing and establishing policies for implementation by the supreme body of the National Council of the Association.

The three day conference in Columbus this year has a very unique significance. Firstly, the newly formed Ohio chapter with their exuberant leader, Mr. Joseph Obuobisa, will be inaugurated in a very tantalizing and colorful ceremony on Saturday evening May 29th, 2010. The flamboyant Executives of Ohio chapter has done a wonderful job of securing the plush Social Hall at 5885 Masonic Temple, Cleveland Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43229 for this event. Hotel accommodation has been arranged at a group rate of $55.00 per night at the Best Western Columbus North Hotel located at 888 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, Ohio 43229. The contact person is Laura Nally at 614-888-8230 Ext. 1084. For more information on travelling and hotel accommodation, please feel free to contact our Public Relations Officer, Mr. Eric Okotah, at 614-599-4646 or 614-891-4348.

Among the distinguished personalities invited to attend this important function are Dr. (Nana) La-Kumi Sasraku (Omanhene), a renowned Dentist domiciled at Toronto, Canada and Dr. Kwabena Apenteng Boateng, an established Gynecologist in Chicago, Illinois, who will be delivering the Keynote Address and Chair the function respectively.

Secondly, the National Council of the Association will hold its usual meeting on Saturday morning from 10:00am to 2:00pm to deliberate on some pending key issues, such as holding talks to revamp the deplorable conditions existing at our noble Tetteh Quarshie Memorial Hospital (TQMH) situated in our jurisdiction in Ghana.

The meeting will also plan and discuss this year’s Odwira/Ohum festival of Akuapemfo/Asuogyafo to be held in September, 2010. Remarkably, this year’s event will be hosted by the indomitable New York chapter at the “Big Apple”, New York City. Coincidentally, the Umbrella Organization will be celebrating 25years of its existence with a theme of “25 Years of Okuapemman Unity and Hope for the Future”.

When it’s all said and done on Saturday, the delegates will be entertained by the host chapter with Barbecue Picnic on Sunday where there will be a superb array of authentic and sumptuous home-made food and assorted drinks plus a bash of selected Ghanaian Music to round up a weekend of fun and pleasure before departure.

Founded in 1985, Okuapemman Association of USA and Canada (OKUSACA) has its main objectives as promoting unity among citizens of Akuapem, Akwamu and Anum-Boso Traditional areas; community service, education and embarking on new projects as well as supporting ongoing developments in these traditional areas. Undeniably, OKUSACA has lived up to its keen expectations by its fervent financial donations for the enhancement of health and education in our Traditional areas in Ghana.

Even though we have shown many gestures and as a result have won many local and international accolades, we are determined not to bask on our past laurels but rather accomplish more for the people of Ghana during the coming years. The seat of the National Secretariat of this indefatigable organization is at New York and there are two main annual events involving members of OKUSACA during the year, namely; The Mid-year Delegates’ meeting scheduled for the Memorial Day Weekend in May and the National Conference for the celebration of Odwira/Ohum festival held annually during the Labor Day Weekend in September. Special thanks to the Coordinators at the National Secretariat and members of the untiring Board of Trustees for zealously coordinating these activities of the organization. Indeed OKUSACA is indebted to the able leadership of the current National Coordinating Chairman-Mr. Raymond Ansah (Toronto); the National Coordinating Secretary-Mr. David Ntifo Osafo (New York) and the National Coordinating Treasurer-Mr. Eugene Adum Kwapong (New York); for handling the affairs of OKUSACA continuously for the past 10years. Our profound gratitude also goes to Mrs. Margaret S. Ampofo, Washington D. C. chapter; Mr. Kakra Tham, Dallas chapter and Col. (Rtd.) Prince Twumasi Ankrah, from New York, for their unflinching support and advisory role in the organization.

For more information on news and events of OKUSACA, I invite you to visit our website: www.okuapemman-usaca.org or e-mail us at osadav01@yahoo.com

Mr. David N. Osafo National Coordinating Secretary.