(DAUSA)
“PENTEMPREM MENE SONO”

I salute you, sons and daughters of the great “PENTEMPREM MENE SONO’’ in the Diaspora particularly, and at home in general. Today we are meeting to: 1) Inaugurate the DENKYIRAMAN ASSOCIATION OF THE USA (DAUSA) and 2) to begin to mobilize our resources for the good of DENKYIRA.
First I would like to thank each and every one of you who has taken time from their busy schedules to be present on this great day. I would like to take this opportunity and make a call to action to the children, sons and daughters of this once the greatest kingdom amongst the Akan States. It is time to begin to mobilize our human and physical resources for the benefit of our State, and particularly to extend a helping hand to the people at home, especially the elderly and the youth.
I want each and every citizen, especially those in the Diaspora to be aware of the fact that the time has come for us to work together and make the necessary sacrifice and contributions for the sake of the development of Denkyira.
John F. Kennedy’s most famous call to action was “Ask not what your country can do for you – Ask what you can do for your country. “ Citizens of the great PENTEMPREM, ask not what DENKYIRAMAN can do for you, but ask what we (together) can do for the advancement, upliftment, and prosperity of Denkyira and our people. Our success or failure will be determined by us and our children, especially those of us who have been blessed by God with resources, talents and opportunities to make a change in Denkyira.
This is not a one man endeavor, but rather a mission that must be accomplished by the many rather than the few. The renowned 80/20 rule suggests that 80 percent of the work in any organization is done by 20 percent of the people. It is too often a fact that is misunderstood. The losers in this equation are not the 20 percent who do 80 percent of the work. Sure they may get tired and burn out, and we want to avoid that. The real losers in this equation are the 80 percent who never do anything. That is why member engagement is so important. Yes it helps to spread out the burden but more importantly, why should only 20% of our citizens be the ones who realize the full potential each individual has to offer. By not being fully engaged, the 80 percent also miss out on the blessings and the joy that comes from giving of themselves with respect to their time, talent and resources.
President Kennedy wasn’t just trying to make the burden lighter on the few Americans who were carrying a disproportionate load. He understood that when Americans engage the country is better for it, because working together we can do so much more than any of us can do on our own. Ecclesiastes 4:13 should serve as our reference for this call to action today: “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”
PENTEMPREM! Citizens of DENKYIRA We should not sit unconcerned and think that manna is going to fall from heaven. We cannot play the blame game anymore, by pointing fingers at who did or did not do what. And think that by sitting unconcerned all is going to be well. A rising tide raises all boats, and with the right wind of circumstances, it provides the opportunity for all to sail and reach their full potential. If conditions get worse for some, it will eventually get worse for everyone. If conditions are good, and everyone has the opportunity to reach their potential, then everyone enjoys the benefits of improved environment and circumstances.
President Obama said it best “Africans will be the best people to save Africa – “DENKYIRAN’s will be the best people to save DENKYIRA. Our state is on the downward spiral and may continue in that direction if stringent measures are not taken by the sons and daughters of DENKYIRA to correct this trend. People from outside will not fix what is broken in DENKYIRA.
A case in point worth considering is the recent “Politico de Exclusiono;” The politics of exclusion” being practiced by the current NDC regime for moving the district headquarters from JUKWA to TWIFO HEMANG. The reason behind this nefarious act is that the current administration assumes that DENKYIRA vote NPP and TWIFO-HEMANG vote NDC.
DENKYIRAMAN we cannot hang our fortune on chance. We are blessed with natural and human resources - Lawyers, doctors, engineers, journalists, business people, and many other talented people.
It is my hope and great desire that the inauguration of this great association will serve as a tool to bring all of us together and remind us that we are one people with one destiny. Together we can do a lot. We should know that the individualistic approach to nation building is deficient and not the best way to go compared to the communal approach. We are all in it together. Just as everywhere in Ghana, all our communities are plagued with teenage pregnancies, HIV, drug abuse, truancy, etc. Communal approaches to these social ills will help save our youth. It is said that “the stronger a nation the stronger its youth.” These are the leaders of tomorrow. History will judge us harshly if we the fortunate ones sit at the back of the fence and watch our youth sink to the bottom of the ocean. I therefore implore all the citizens of DENKYIRA both home and in the Diaspora to call upon their children, brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends to be part of this great movement.
Our meetings are held in Ghanata house Bronx on the last Saturday of every month. Check on our website at DENKYIRAMAN.com to communicate with members. The date for the inauguration of the association is September 22nd 2012. Sign off on your calendars and make a date to meet with your people. Don’t be left out on this memorable reunion. Bring your children, friends, neighbors to observe DENKYIRAMAN culture and let them know that you are not alone. Come on down and let us shout to the entire nation of Ghana and its leaders that the reawakening of “PENTEMPREM” has began with a bang. We will see you all in the Big Apple!

NANA ODURO-APPIAKO II
KYIDOMHENE OF DENKYIRA TRADITIONAL COUNCIL