Atlanta the glamorous capital of the south is buzzing with excitement – the Ghana Okuapemman Odwira /Ohum Festival is coming and everyone is in a frenzy. For the first time in the history of the Okuapemman Association of USA & Canada; the festival is being celebrated in Atlanta, Georgia which boost of being the world headquarters for internationally acclaimed companies such as CNN News, Cola Cola and Delta Airlines.

The Atlanta Chapter of the Okuapemman Association of USA & Canada will be hosting this year’s Odwira festival which promises to be an elegant celebration with a rich flair of cultural pageantry and extravagance at its peak. This years’ festival will be held on Sept 1st, 2007 at the Kappa Omega Canter; 3850 Stone Rd SW Atlanta, GA 30331 from 8p.m. - 3a.m.

The term "Odwira" is an Akan (African dialect) word which means “purification” and its true significance is the annual thanksgiving to God for his merciful care and protection; customary purification of the land and people by the chiefs and priests for the spiritual and social renewal to face the trials and triumphs of another year. Instituted by the 19th King (Omanhene) of Akropong, Nana Addo Dankwa 1(1811-1835); the Akuapem Odwira/Ohum festival was first celebrated in October 1826. This followed the capture of the artifacts (pertaining to the celebration of Odwira) by Akuapem forces from the hitherto invincible Ashanti army during the historic battle of Katamansu near Dodowa in 1826.

Due to the traditional importance of the Odwira/Ohum festival, the Okuapemman Association of USA & Canada which is made up of mostly citizens of the Akuapem region in Ghana, West Africa - envisioned the prudence of having such a festival in North America. Through the association’s relentless efforts, the festival is celebrated every year in a North American city to highlight the rich cultural heritage of the Akuapem region, generate funds to improve the socio-economic state of the Akuapem region and Ghana as a whole and to foster the brotherly love of the all Akuapems in the diaspora.

Throughout the years the twenty-year old Okuapemman Association of USA & Canada has embarked on various projects which have revamped the Akuapem region in Ghana. During their first years of existence, they concentrated on supporting the Medical establishments in the Akuapem region by equipping Tetteh Quarshie Memorial Hospital, Akosombo Hospital and the various clinics in the Akuapem and Asougya areas. Then they turned their attention on the education aspect of the Akuapem community and supplied books and built classrooms for towns all over the eastern region. Their current project which is to build a modern era cafeteria for the Presbyterian University at Akropong has taken off with great enthusiasm. The National Secretariat has embarked on a worldwide quest to raise funds to support this worthy cause – for more information on this project and other endeavors of the association please email the national secretariat at: osadav01@yahoo.com

The hosting chapter is inviting everyone to be a part of this once in a lifetime historic event – Come and witness a flamboyant adornment at the chieftaincy parade, traditional drumming and dancing, authentic African arts, plenty of food, drinks and dancing all night. A fund-raising will be held in support of current projects we are supporting such as; Rehabilitating the water supply system in the Eastern Region and establishing an educational scholarship exchange program.

Come! Be a part of this great African Cultural Tradition and Extravagancy! For more information visit www.okuapemmanatlanta.org