OKUAPEMMAN ASSOCIATION OF USA & CANADA (OKUSACA)
27TH ANNUAL ODWIRA/OHUM FESTIVAL & FUNDRAISING EVENT
AT WASHINGTON DC METRO AREA.

The Okuapemman Association of USA and Canada (OKUSACA) proudly announce the 27th Annual Odwira/Ohum celebration and Fundraising Event at the Labor Day Weekend from Friday, August 31st, 2012 through Sunday, September 2nd, 2012. This year’s celebration, hosted by our local Washington DC Chapter, will culminate in a Cultural Extravaganza at the Hilton Hotel Ballroom (Alexandra Mark Center), 5000 Seminary Road, Virginia, 22311 (near Washington DC) on Saturday night, September 1st, 2012.

A capacity crowd of about 600 participants from Ghana, Canada and several Cities in the United States are expected. The Theme for this year’s event is: “Youth Empowerment-OKUSACA’s Future”.

Founded in 1985, OKUSACA, with its Secretariat in New York, is the umbrella Organization of the various non-profit Okuapemman Chapters incorporated in the United States of America and Canada by and for the people of Akuapem, Akwamu, Anum and Boso (popularly known as Asuogya)descent, dedicated to foster close social, cultural and economic inter-relationships between its members and host communities and also, organize activities aimed at improving the quality of lives of the people living in the Akuapem and Asuogyaman areas in particular and Ghana in general.
On behalf of the National Secretariat, I have the honor and pleasure to extend invitation to the general public, especially, Akuapemfo and Asuogyamanfo domiciled in Virginia, Maryland and Washington DC areas to join us in this year’s celebration to grace the occasion and support our Fundraising appeal which is in aid of the rehabilitation of the sadly dilapidated Pediatric Ward of Tetteh Quarshie Memorial Hospital at Mampong-Akuapem. In addition, a humanitarian appeal from the Akuapem District Council through the DCE has been received to come to the aid of some under-privileged school children attending school under tree shelters and other hazardous conditions in some parts of the Akuapem District. In view of this, OKUSACA is inviting donations from philanthropic persons and Organizations to assist our efforts to provide improved living conditions for our folks back home. Please, visit our Website at www.okusaca.com to donate generously towards this appeal.
The Executives of the local Washington DC Chapter of the Association have made a special arrangement for a tour of Washington DC Metro including the surrounding Capitol Building as a special attraction in this year’s celebration package.
For the first time in the history of OKUSACA annual Odwira/Ohum celebration, special attention will be devoted to the Youth to step up the organization of the Youth Wing to attract the youth from all the Chapters of the Organization. In view of this, there will be a Youth Forum where Motivational Speakers have been invited to speak on relevant and interesting topics. In addition, the National Secretariat has donated a Trophy to be presented to the winner of OKUSACA Youth Quiz competition which will be the first of its nature.
The epic of the entire weekend celebration will be the electrifying Saturday night event at the Ballroom of The Hilton Hotel to showcase the cultural extravaganza of Odwira / Ohum festival of the people of Akuapem / Asuogya descent amid the cultural pomp and pageantry witnessed by the capacity crowd of over Seven hundred revelers, gorgeously dressed OKUSACA ladies and gentlemen in their Anniversary cloth, resplendent Traditional Ghanaian Chiefs, Queens and linquists, adorned with their full regalia, parading to the melody of Fontomfrom drumming and dancing, reminiscent of a typical Akuapem / Asuogya Durbar. It will be an amazing sight in a life-time experience befitting an anniversary celebration.
The night event will be chaired by Mrs. Dorice Enchill from Washington DC Metro Area and will be supported by the following Co-chairpersons: Mr. Clarence Wright and Dr. Adu Asa-Awuku (from New Jersey); Mrs. Iris B. Owusu (from Houston, TX), Mr. Eric Sarpong, Mrs Georgina Anoff and Nana Osei Boakye Yiadom II (from New York); Mr. Richard D. Ntifo (from Atlanta, GA); Mr. Kwame Agyiri Kwakye and Mr. William Ofori Asiamah (from Toronto, Canada); Mr. Osei B. Bosompem (from Columbus, OH);
Mr. Francis Adofo (from PA); Dr. Samuel Amoako Attah, Mrs. Gifty Kotey and Mr. & Mrs. Bentsi Enchill (from Wash. DC Metro Area).
I, also, wish to inform our well-wishers, of the expected attendance of representatives of Okuapehene Oseadeeyo Addo Dankwa III; Otwasuo Osae Nyampong IV, representing Asuogyaman Traditional Council to showcase Akuapem/Asuogya Culture to the world. Also invited to join the celebration is a delegation of Ghana Government representatives in the persons of Hon. Mr. Victor Smith, Eastern Regional Minister; Hon. Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, Minister of Local Government & Rural Development, Minister at the Presidency, Hon. Dr. Kwasi Apea-Kubi and the District Chief Executive from Akuapem Hon.George Opare Addo. Ghana’s Ambassador to the US, His Excellency Daniel Ohene Agyekum and Ghana’s permanent representative to the United Nations, H.E. Kenneth Kanda have been invited as Guests of honor .
A special OKUSACA non-denominational Thanksgiving and Communion Service will be held on Sunday morning at the Hotel’s Pastoral Room and will be jointly-officiated by Rev. Alfred Ainooson, from A.M.E.Zion Church , Wash. DC Metro Area and Rev. Dr. Francis Kumi Dwamena, from Ghana Presbyterian Church at Manhattan, New York. Immediately thereafter, shuttle buses, vans and cars will transport all OKUSACA guests and delegates to the nearby plush State Park at 8999 Fort Hunt Road, Alexandria, Virginia 22308 for a grand family picnic to round-off a spectacular weekend of fun and pleasure before dispersal of OKUSACA 27th Anniversary celebrants from far and near. There will be plenty of assorted varieties of Ghanaian and Caribbean foods, a generously open bar of chilled beverages, and infectious free-for-all dancing to Ghanaian and foreign music.

Source: Mr. David N. Osafo
OKUSACA National Secretariat, NY.