Brong-Ahafo Citizens Converge in Worcester, USA for Schools under Trees Fundraising Gala

Dormaahene Nana Agyemang Badu II will lead a delegation of Chiefs, Queenmothers and other dignitaries from Brong Ahafo region to the 7th Annual COBAANA Convention of Brong Ahafo citizens of North America on September 3 - 5, 2016.

The overlord of Dormaaman has become the spiritual head for the Association of Brong Ahafo citizens because of the unique way this Association came into being. He was on a visit to North America during the inauguration of Brong Ahafo Association of Denver, Colorado on July 19, 2003 when the idea was first discussed to unite all Brong Ahafo Associations of North America into one umbrella organization called The Council of Brong Ahafo Association of North America (COBAANA). He gave his royal blessing to this organization and his advice for Brong Ahafo citizens in Diaspora to always strive to unite our people has forever defined the purpose of COBAANA.

The delegation from Ghana will include the Regional Minister, Honorable Eric Opoku, and his Deputy, Honorable Justice Samuel Adjei. Also included are Nana Ansah Adu Baah, Omanhene of Yamfo; Nana Serwaa Nyarko, Queenmother of Duayaw Nkwanta; Nana Adwoa Gyamena Serwaa, Queenmother of Bechem, and Nana Yeboah Pene II, Queenmother of Chiraa.
In unity we have discovered our mission and all the success and accomplishments over the last seven years can be attributed to the selfless leadership of COBAANA. We are all witnesses of the fruits of unity and generosity of our people. The yearly COBAANA Convention has become more of a pilgrimage for all Brong Ahafo citizens in North America. Each year, one city is chosen to host our annual convention during which we renew the values and unique Brong Ahafo identity that continue to define who we are. At the conclusion of each convention, important decisions about how we can raise funds to support various projects in Brong Ahafo are taken. A few of such philanthropic projects are worth mentioning.
At the Convention in Columbus, OH in September 2013 the Ohio chapter was tasked to lead our effort to resource the Sunyani Government Hospital with equipment and supplies. Mr. Daniel Asante and his team of selfless Columbus chapter members were able to procure and ship hospital equipment worth $131,000.00 on behalf of COBAANA to the Hospital in June 2014.
The Columbus Chapter, through the ingenuity of Nana Odeneho Osei Kwabena, a former President of the Brong-Ahafo Association of Columbus, also invited Dr. Jacob Abebrese and Mr. Abraham Asare-Bediako, Medical Director and Administrator, respectively, to Columbus, Ohio. Their mission, among others, was to facilitate collaboration between the Sunyani Hospital and US health institutions, particularly the Ohio State University Medical Centre and Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, OH. An educational tour of the two hospitals was an eye-opening as well.
COBAANA is in the process of compiling a database of Brong Ahafo citizens with healthcare background to donate free time in promoting best practices in healthcare delivery in Ghana. It also intends to adapt various wards at the Sunyani Regional Hospital to upgrade them into international standard to help our people access healthcare at the only government referral hospital in B/A with more dignity and comfort.
As Labor Day draws near, Brong Ahafo citizens are getting ready to assemble at Worcester, MA for our 7th Annual Convention. It promises to be memorable and historic with Nana Agyemang Badu chairing the convention. It will be refreshing to welcome all the Chiefs and Queenmothers who are coming to see what a fine Organization we have put together since the last time Nana Agyemang Badu II was here. The activities of the Convention include a town hall meeting during which the Chiefs, Queenmothers and Government officials from Brong Ahafo will have the chance to update our citizens of the state of Brong Ahafo Region today.
Nana Agyemang Badu will lead a fundraising in support of COBAANA’s project to build a four-unit classroom block at Ayakomaso near Dumasua on the Sunyani-Berekum Road. At the COBAANA Convention held in Toronto, Canada in 2015, our members voted to take up the challenge to provide a decent school building to remove a school from conducting classes under trees. A search team put together after the Toronto Convention in May 25, 2015 identified a school at Ayakomaso as one such school that needs our help and support. All donations and pledges to be made at the Worcester Convention will go towards building a four-unit classroom at Ayakomaso.
Brong Ahafo, this region that only came into existence some fifty years ago, is on the move. Through love, dedication and hard work of our people this dynamic region has never looked back and intends to look into the future with hope and great expectation. The bread basket of Ghana is throwing an invitation to all Ghanaians and well-wishers in North America and beyond to join us in Worcester to celebrate our Region and support a worthy cause.
The Chairman of COBAANA-2016 Worcester Convention Planning Committee, Mr. Padmore Amankwah Gyau assured participants of a very successful event. Mr. Jones Yeboah, is the Chairman of the Brong Ahafo Association of Worcester and he will have the arduous task to provide delicious food, fine entertainment and fun for all.

All roads lead to Worcester this Labor Day weekend. Come and support a noble cause: “Our brothers and sisters in Ghana need our support to educate the next generation of noble Ghanaian citizens. Please come and support Ayakomaso School Project.

For further information on COBAANA-2016, please contact Mr. Jones Yeboah (Chairman of Worcester Chapter) at 1-508-615-3768, and Mr. Padmore Amankwah Gyau (Planning Committee Chairman) at 508-762-7044.

Thomas Kyeremeh
Assistant General Secretary
(COBAANA)
Kofipat25@gmail.com