Okuapemman Association of USA and Canada (OKUSACA) At Dallas for the celebration of 2011 Odwira/Ohum Festival

Kings, Chiefs and Queen mother's from the Traditional areas of Akuapem and Asuogya as well as their citizens living throughout the United States of America and Canada gathered at Dallas, Texas from September 2nd-5th, 2011 to celebrate their rich history and culture dating back to at least 1240 A.D at the Odwira/Ohum festival and Dance at the plush Westin Hotel Grand Ballroom at 4545 West John Carpenter Freeway in Irving, Texas 75063. Among the celebrants were the Clergy, His grace Bishop George Ofori-Nyadu, Rev. Dr. Lartey as well as Rev. Isaac Boafo, Royals, Ministers of State, State Representatives, business executive, executives of Council of Ghana Associations DFW (COGA-DFW) as well as local Royals. OKUSACA received a Proclamation from the Office of the Mayor of Irving in recognition of OKUSACA as a non-profit benevolent Organization for the community.

Among the Royal dignitaries invited from Ghana, to grace the occasion include our Akuapem Divisional Chiefs from Nifa, Benkum, Adonten, Kuronti, Gyase, Kyidom and Asuogya. Also invited from Ghana are the Government representatives; Hon. Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development; Hon. Dr. Kwasi A. Apea-Kubi, Eastern Regional Minister and the three District Chief Executives of Akuapem and Asuogya. The Ghanaian Ambassador to the United States, His Excellency Hon. Daniel Ohene Agyekum was also invited from the nation's capital of Washington DC. There is no doubt that Dallas-2011 event was very successful and well attended. This event will go down in the annals of OKUSACA as one of the occasions which saw an array of Political Giants and powerful Traditional Kings and Queen mothers from Ghana and North America that has never happened in Ethnic Association gatherings anywhere in the world.

For the first time in the history of OKUSACA, this year's event was chaired by a Royal King from the Asuogya Traditional Area of Ghana and a Business Executive Nana Osae Nyampong VI, Kamenahene of Akwamu who delivered the keynote address and chaired the function.

Among the distinguished personalities invited to attend this important function were Mr. Patrick Acheampong, former Inspector General of Police (IGP) and Dr. (Nana) La-Kumi Sasraku, a renowned Dentist domiciled at Toronto, Canada. The Odwira/Ohum festival is a traditional celebration of the first fruits in the Akuapem/Asuogya regions in Ghana. It is a time for homecoming and thanksgiving. This year's annual event was hosted by the Dallas-Fort worth Chapter of the National Okuapemman Association of USA and Canada. Other Chapters include New York, Chicago, Washington DC, Toronto, Atlanta, New Jersey, and Columbus, OH It is important to emphasize that, the main objective of inviting the Akuapem Divisional Chiefs and the Government Representatives to this year's celebration is that, OKUSACA Board of Trustees, the Executive Committee and the general membership, as concerned Akuapem citizens in the diaspora, respectfully offer a humble neutral platform away from home to facilitate confidential brainstorming and a hopeful resolution of the long lingering Akuapem Chieftaincy dispute which has undoubtedly hindered social cohesion and economic development within the Traditional Area. OKUSACA as a neutral facilitator of the resolution process which began last year in New York during the celebration of our Silver Jubilee is determined to bring amicable settlement of this unfortunate prevailing dispute. This process is in consonance with the Theme of the Dallas event; “Strengthening Akuapem Unity- Dallas 2011” as well as our Fekuw Slogan: “OFIE—BIAKOYE.”

The epic of the Dallas event was crowned Saturday night where there was the parade of Royals as they made their entrances. This was a sight to behold, a feast for the senses to behold the splendor of the Royal Regalia consisting of colorful Kente Cloth, Gold crowns, jewelry and sandals.

The Odwira/Ohum Dance on Saturday night caps 3 days of Executives and Town hall meetings, negotiations, fundraising, development projects and other charitable projects.

OKUSACA Odwira Dance featured one of the greatest entertainers in the past, G-Man as well as Mr. Boafo Papafio and our traditional Linguist Nana Dogo as the MCs for the occasion. The entire Dallas-Fort Worth communities as well as residents from the state of Texas were invited to celebrate the occasion. In another development, OKUSACA has donated a number of Medical Supplies worth over $1000.00 to Tetteh Quarshie Memorial Hospital at Mampong Akuapem in Ghana. These items were received by the Hospital Administrator, Mrs. Divine Nartey on behalf of the hospital. She expressed her profound gratitude to OKUSACA for their continued support because it was only last year that the entire Children's Ward of the Hospital was rehabilitated by OKUSACA at a total cost of about $10,000.00. OKUSACA is thankful to the New Jersey Chapter, which donated the bulk of the Medical Supplies and requests other Chapters to emulate this exemplary gesture.

There was a powerful Thanksgiving service to commemorate the occasion. It was led by His grace Bishop George Ofori-Nyadu, Rev. Dr Lartey, Rev. Boafo and Evangelist Mercy. In attendance were His Excellency Daniel Ohene Adjekum, Honorable Ofosu Ampofo, ministers of state, traditional chiefs as well as the national president of OKUSACA Mr. & Mrs. Godwin Larbi.

The chiefs, ministers of state as well as delegates were entertained right after the church service by the host, Dallas Forth Worth chapter of OKUSACA with Barbecue Picnic on Sunday. There was a superb array of authentic and sumptuous home-made food and assorted drinks plus a bash of selected Ghanaian Music to round up a weekend of fun and pleasure before departure.

Founded in 1985, Okuapemman Association of USA and Canada (OKUSACA) has its main objectives as promoting unity among citizens of Akuapem, Akwamu and Anum-Boso Traditional areas; community service, education and embarking on new projects as well as supporting ongoing developments in these traditional areas. OKUSACA has lived up to its keen expectations by its fervent financial donations for the enhancement of health and education in our Traditional areas in Ghana.

Even though OKUSACA have shown many gestures and as a result have won many local and international accolades, we are determined not to bask on our past laurels but rather accomplish more for the people of Ghana during the coming years. Special thanks to the Coordinators at the National Secretariat and members of the untiring Board of Trustees for zealously coordinating these activities of the organization. Indeed OKUSACA is indebted to the able leadership of the current National Coordinating Chairman-Mr. Godwin Larbi (Washington); the National Coordinating Secretary-Mr. David Ntifo Osafo (New York) and the National Coordinating Treasurer-Mr. Eugene Adum Kwapong (New York); for handling the affairs of OKUSACA. Our profound gratitude also goes to Mr. Oduro Koranteng-Asante, host; the president of the Dallas Forth Worth chapter, Mrs. Margaret S. Ampofo, Washington D. C. chapter; Mr. Kakra Tham, Dallas chapter, Col. (Rtd.) Prince Twumasi Ankrah, from New York and Mr. & Mrs . Opare as well as the entire members of the Dallas chapter for their unflinching support and advisory role in the organization.

The celebration is also in commemoration of the unity of the Akuapem state. The event was a huge success, although the Dallas chapter is very young but nonetheless very remarkable. The event was colorful and vibrant part of the Akuapem culture. Each year the Odwira festivals and durbars are held in various parts of the country to celebrate the heritage of the people. 2012 annual Odwira event will be hosted by the Washington DC chapter. Make your bookings now for this event which is coming on in the nation’s capital.

To contact OKUSACA for constructive suggestions, donations, registration, etc., please email okusaca@gmail.com or call the National Coordinating Secretary at 917-647-1293.