The inaugural event of the Okwahuman Association of Ohio (OAO) joint centered in Columbus and Cincinnati was cohosted in Columbus Ohio on May 24- 25, 2014. The Columbus branch chaired by Rev. Isaac Omari Anim was established in 2003 while the Cincinnati chaired by Mr. Samuel Mensah in 2011. About 400 participants attended the event from North America.

This inaugural ceremony marked the ushering of OAO to the Okwahu United North America Association which comprised of New York (NY), New Jersey (NJ), Washington DC, Virginia (VA), Connecticut (CT), Massachusetts (MA), Illinois (IL), and Canada. At the event were the National Founding Fathers and Advisors – Mr. Ernest Oware and Mr. Somuah; the National President - Mr. Nana Ofosu; National Board of Directors and Chairmen/Representatives from the various states – Mr.Peter Ennin (CT), Mr. Philip Siaw (NJ), Mr.Fred Gyamerah alias Obrempong (NY), Mr. John Kesseh (IL), Mr. Joseph Kwame Yeboah (DC), Mr. Kofi Owusu-Saka (VA), Mr. Sasu (PA) and Mr. Dickson Obeng alias Akora Obeng (Canada). Also present were the Kwahuman Chief of Chicago (IL) - Nana Asamoah, Queen Mother of Chicago – Nana Ohemaa Akosua Asantewaa and Queen Mother of Connecticut - Nana Adoma Kyerekua. In the midst were some current Columbus and Cincinnati local executives in addition to past local and state executives. Other association which featured as this event were the Fanti Association of Columbus and Friends of Ghana (an NGO)-Columbus.

The opening prayer was by Mr.Peter Ennin (CT) while the guest speaker was Mr. Ernest Oware. Mr. Ernest Oware in his speech touched on how Kwahus should use Okwahuman Association to for the benefit of themselves and others living abroad and in Ghana. He challenged Kwahus to take this association seriously which he placed emphasis on how this association should grow to assist the whole of Ghana.

The founding members of the Columbus & Cincinnati Chapters were given awards while some honored as Patrons. Columbus Founding members were Mr. Joseph A. Yeboah, Mr. Sam Boateng, Mr. Kwabena Boamah - Acheampong, Mr. Simon Ampadu, Nana Atuobi Yiadom Boakye, and Mr. Enoch Ahenkora. Mr. Joseph A. Yeboah, Mr. Sam Boateng and Mr. Kwabena Boamah - Acheampong were honored as patrons while on the Cincinnati side Nana Amofo, Mr. Sefa Sarfo and Pastor Ntiamoah Saka were honored as patrons.

Funds were raised by Okwahuman Association of Ohio (OAO) for ongoing support project at the Kwahu hospital as well as orphanages at Kotoso and Mpraeso all in the Eastern Region to improve the living conditions and standards.

The event was crowned on Sunday May25, 2014 with a thanksgiving service at the Ramseyer Presbyterian Church of Columbus, Ohio.

The Kwahu National Congress is scheduled for August 30, - September 1, 2014 in Philadelphia, PA. This event will be parallel with the inaugural event of the PA chapter of the Kwahu Association.

Alexander Anim-Mensah, PhD

alexraymonda@yahoo.com

Dayton Ohio