Kwakwaduam Association of New York celebrated its Annual Fundraising Dinner Dance over the MLK weekend in the Bronx. The theme for the fundraising was “Enhancing Maternal Care in the Akuapem Region of Ghana“ and was to raise money to buy Electronic Fetal Doppler Stethoscopes for fetal monitoring during labor and enhance the quality of work done by midwives in the Akuapem region of Ghana with the ultimate aim of reducing needless intrapartum stillbirths. Enough Funds to purchase 100 of such Electronic Fetal Doppler Stethoscopes was raised at the function. With a lot more promises expected.
Dr. Kwame Aniapam Boafo, a Gynecologist at Albert Einstein Medical College and Consultant to Kwakwaduam launched the Fund raising campaign and illustrated the difference between the Pinard Fetoscope currently being used by most of the Midwifes and the Electronic Dopplers and empasized the need to reduce the intrapartum stillbirths. He said Kwakwaduam needed to do the appropriate Research to buttress and substantiate its fundraising efforts.
The Chairman for the occasion was Dr. Stephen Asiedu. He indicated that the stillbirth rate in Ghana was 22 per 1000 live births and that the fundraising was most appropriate. He said this was a sharp contrast to a rate of 3 in developing countries. He applauded Kwakwaduam for all the work it had done over the years and pledged his support for the Organization.
The President of the Organization Mr. Mark Saforo said Kwakwaduam continues to do well and thanked all those who have supported the Organization over the years. He said Kwakwaduam membership was open to all those who share the vision of the Organization that the best part of every person’s life is what he or she gave back to society. He enumerated the impressive list of projects undertaken by Kwakwaduam over the years. He thanked his Executive for a work well done and recognized some dignitaries present (Lawyer Victor Essien, Dr. Tesfa Young, Fred Dwamena, Mr. Kuwait, Nana Nyaadu, Ms Patience Iminike CEO of Pioneer Home Care and Robert Tetteh the Ablade President to mention a few) Awards were presented to deserving members of the Community and Members of Kwakwaduam. Community Service awards went to Dr. Kofi Adu, Nana Yaa Boahemaa I and Dr. Baah Asante. The Friends of Kwakwaduam Award went to Nana Afwireng, Ms Joana Ayisi and Col (Rtd) Twumasi Ankrah and Ms Mabel Oforiwa, Mr. Kwabena Asante received awards for their contribution to the success of the Organization. Dr. Kofi Boateng CEO of the Harlem Development Corporation , New York, praised Kwakwaduam for the classy function and reiterated the need for Ghanaians Living Abroad to organize so as to able to vote in Ghana to effect a contribution to the development of Ghana. He was given an Award for his Community Leadership. He said Kwakwaduam stood apart from other Organization for its quality The function was classy, well organized and fun filled. The food was excellent and DJ Rockson kept everybody dancing all night. Media activity was provided by FAWEB Solutions, not to mention the MC Patrick Akosah who was electrifying.