Italy- (Brescia) -Kwahuman Europe, with its headquarters in London, is rounding off its Easter long inaugural activities with a regional conference in Zurich-Swizterland, on Saturday June 12.

A statement issued by the secretary of the association, Mr. . Kwabena Asante, in Italy says the association, with its focus on community development in Ghana, especially Kwahu Traditional Area, will review the association’s inaugural activities, held amid pomp and pageantry in Amsterdam, during the last Easter celebration.

Among items on the association’s top agenda include development and management of Tomo-Nii childrens home and improvement of amenities at Atibie-Kwahu government hospital and its plans to explore means to assist farmers in Afram plains and also assisting in advancing progress in educational institutions in the area. The Association, which includes member countries of Switzerland, Italy, France, Belgium,Germany, Holland, United Kingdom, is also examining plans to undertake construction of student hostels to house students of the Abetifi Presbyterian University, and other institutions in the traditional area.

Kwahu citizens resident in Europe, this year celebrated Easter in a gland style at a large gathering held at the sophisticated Biljmer Sports Centrum in Amsterdam. The occasion which was used to inaugurate Kwahuman Europe – a union which has become the unified mouth-piece of National Kwahuman Associations across the continent – was also used to raise funds for the Tomo-Ni childrens home in Kwahu Obomeng.

The inauguration of the association was attended by all the member countries of Kwahuman Europe. Special invited guests were, Member of Parliament for Kwahu Mpraeso Honourable Seth Acheampong, Nana Anim Baree who represents Kwahu Omanhene, Nana Dassebre Akuamoah Boateng, in the diaspora and Mr Steve Darkwa, who is the General Secretary of Kwahu United of North America and vice President of Kwahuman Association of New York.

The gleeful display of Ghanaian traditional drumming and dancing, including the popular “Kete and Adowa” dance highlighted the occasion which was attended by various local chiefs in their colorful traditional dress, which added more colour to the activities.

Dr. Abena Agyepong, Swiss-based analytical psychologist is the President of the association, with Mr. Kwaku Asante of London, as the association’s deputy President, with Mr. Kwabena Asante of Italy as its National Executive Secretary. Mr. Seth Acheampong who was the guest speaker, congratulated all members of the association for their foresight ad efforts in organizing such an august organization, which he said would help promote Ghana’s image abroad, foster unity among the diasporas and also enable them to c focus their attention to the development needs of Ghana and Africa as a whole. He told the gathering that Africa needs intensive private entrepreneurship to help accelerate development and industrialization programmes in Africa, adding in Ghana investment opportunities exists to help enhance incomes, and urged the Diasporas to seize opportunities to invest in areas of agriculture, education, health, telecommunication etc.

In her Inaugural speech, Dr. Agyepong thanked all members who were at the gathering, for spending some time out of their tight schedules to be part of this history and appealed to them work hard towards membership drive, to encourage others to register with the organization.

Doctor Keller cautioned member countries that the workload “will begin after the inauguration of the union” and asked the various executives not to relent in their efforts, eschew negative tendencies which would turn the clock of organization and development backwards.

“the inaugural ceremony is only the beginning, the workload is huge; we have to close our ranks, work relentlessly to be able to achieve our set objectives, mainly being, helping ourselves and focusing on development efforts to help in the Kwahu Traditional Area, and added: “ this is a challenge to me and the entire executives and members”.

Delivering a message from Kwahu United of North America, Mr. Steve Darkwa,the General Secretary of Kwahu United of North America, congratulated the current executive officers of Kwahuman Europe for the speed with which they have brought this young union this far.He expressed the hope that once the union is inaugurated, it will co-ordinate with Kwahu United of North America in the execution of meaningful projects that will benefit the people in the Kwahu Traditional area.

Highlight of the Celebration was the election of Miss Kwahuman Europe , a beauty contest which was well attended by people of all walks of life in and around Amsterdam. Miss Italy,Miss Georgina Konadu who won the Miss Kwahuman Italy, beauty pageant in a hotly contested competition , came first to snatch the Kwahuman Europe crown.The Runner-up place went to MissFranceline Asamoah of Kwahuman France.Miss Rita Kyei of Kwahuman Holland was adjudged the second Runner-up.For her Prize Miss Georgina Konadu won a return Ticket, Dusseldorf-Accra-Dusseldorf which was provided by the main sponsor of the event, NOVA travel and tours based in Amsterdam.Other sponsors included Unity Money Transfer,Trans African Travels,Girls Girls beauty saloon and Lady Hill sounds all of Amsterdam.

In a short address,Miss Konadu said she was going to use her crown to improve the standard of education in the Kwahu Traditional Area.She said the results of the BSCE for 2010 was so appalling that there was the need to intervene before it got out of control. The president of the association, Dr. Keller congratulated the contestants for having participated in the contest. She said the most important part of the contest was the contestants courage and enthusiasms to participate to grace the occasion and also to enhance the image of womanhood. She advised them to promote the good image of Ghanaian women by holding the ideals of good moral standing in the various communities in Europe and continue to serve as a solid role models for others to emulate.

Nana Kwame Ampadu 1, a known Ghanaian composer and singer, himself a Kwahu Citizen, sang his relics, receiving standing ovation from the audience at the association’s gala night held to raise fund for the orphanage. He was supported by another popular Ghanaian singer, Daasebre Dwamena and two other DJ’S, Cudwo of Holland and Bobby of Italy. End.

From David K forson aka Kwabena Asante, Italy.