North America Brong Ahafo Day In Chicago

The North America citizens of Brong Ahafo converged in Chicago, Illinois at the Independence Day weekend (July 2-3, 2011). This event was the first-ever convention of Brong Ahafo Associations of North America (COBAANA) after the formal inauguration in Toronto, Canada on May 29, 2010.

The delegates to the first-ever convention came from Denver, Colorado; Columbus, Ohio; Washington DC; Worcester, Massachusetts; New York, NY; Toronto, Canada; Calgary, Canada; and Chicago the hosting Association. The convention was held at Chicago Marriott Midway and it was full of fun, joy, and enthusiasm. The theme for the keynote address was “Basic Hygiene and Environmental Health” and delivered by Dr Gabriel Amoateng-Boahen of Chicago. Dr Amoateng-Boahen stressed the need for COBAANA to adopt either a Pediatric or Maternity ward at the Regional Hospital in Sunyani. He also made a passionate appeal to COBAANA members to encourage families and friends back home in the Brong Ahafo Region to embark on weekly family and neighborhood general cleaning/communal labor because such regular environmental cleaning will undoubtedly improve the health of the community and especially, curb malaria. Sound health according to him, will reduce health bills and also ensure continued economic progress and longevity among our people. To stay focused with our commitment and assistance to our beloved region, Dr Amoateng-Boahen suggested a 4-Year Action Plan (Year 1- 2011: “Basic Hygiene and Environmental Health”; Year 2- 2012: Formal and Informal Education; Year 3- 2013: Empowerment; and Year 4-2014: Domestic Violence).

The Chairman of COBAANA, Mr Kwasi Amponsa-Yeboah of Chicago, welcoming the gathering mentioned the recent achievements in the Brong Ahafo Region especially, in the field of sports: Aduana Football Club of Dormaa Ahenkro won the 2010 Premier League and Chelsea Football Club of Berekum, the current Premier League champions of Ghana. The Chairman introduced the Executives of COBAANA: Alex Ankomah, Vice Chairman; Paul Gyau, General Secretary; Padmore Gyau, Assistant Secretary; Samuel Tandoh, Publicity Officer; Mina Annan, Assistant Publicity Officer; Francis Apraku, Treasurer; and Daniel Kofi Asante, Financial Secretary. Three individuals were honored with awards for their outstanding and dedicated services to COBAANA. They were Thomas Tuah of Toronto, Joseph Ntow-Duku of Toronto, and Ben Kodom-Ayensu of Chicago. The gathering was entertained by Adwoa Yeboah-Bremang and Jeremy Asiedu with a spectacular cultural performance. There was also the classic cultural dance by Nana Yaw Adu Gyamfi and Ohemaa Abena Pokuaa, chief and queen mother of the Brong Ahafo Association of Chicago respectively. The other traditional chiefs and elders among the delegates supported the classic cultural dance to give an impressionist view of the rich Brong Ahafo culture. As part of the fund raising event, Mr Charles Bofa of Chicago and Miss Yaa Agyeiwaa of Toronto were crowned “Mr and Miss COBAANA 2011” respectively. Prior to the dinner dance the delegates held a meeting at the grounds of the Marriott Midway Hotel and deliberated on the way forward with COBAANA. One key issue raised was on how to forge unity among COBAANA members and also bring unregistered members on board to increase our numerical strength. The delegates discussed at length economic investment modalities and opportunities to make COBAANA economically sound to support future projects in the Brong Ahafo Region and Ghana as a whole.

A picnic serving various Ghanaian dishes and barbeque was well attended the following day (Sunday, July 3) at the Jackson Park on Stony Island Avenue.

On the whole, the first-ever COBAANA Convention was well organized, impressive and massively attended.

Source: Kwasi Amponsa-Yeboah, Chicago, Illinois, USA.