Washington DC -- The fourth annual fundraising event organized by the largest ethnic group in the Washington Metro area; The Asante Association- was a great success. In attendance were the President of the Association ?Mr. A. Kofi Afful; His Excellency Dr. and Mrs. Kwame Bawuah Edusei- Ghana's Ambassador to the United States; Ms. Irene Osei- Chairperson for the occasion; Brig. General Oppong-Kyekyeku- Military Attache at the Embassy of Ghana; Mrs. Mary Damuah- Chairperson of the Council of Ghanaian Associations; Nana Kofi Agyenim Boateng- Asantefuohene; Nana Ama Achiaa- Asantefuohemaa; Nana Akwasi Mensah- Asanteman Kuo hene; Nana Afua Buor- Asanteman Kuo hemaa along with most of the Washington Ghanaian dignitaries and over four hundred friends and supporters. The Corporate sponsor for the event was; MoneyGram International. MoneyGram has become a major participant in developing a healthy partnership with the Ghanaian community. The goal of the fundraising event was to raise funds to sponsor selected secondary school students with financial difficulties for one academic year via the Otumfuo Education Fund. The fees will be paid directly to the schools to eliminate any administrative expenses. The theme of the President,s message to all was Unity amongst Asantes and Ghanaians. The President, Mr. A. Kofi Afful reminded his audience that the core tenets of the Asante Association- "? uniting all Asantes, to support each other and work towards Asante development", was not negotiable. He further challenged the leadership of other splinter asante associations to work towards becoming one umbrella Association. He recognized the leadership of these associations who were present for this grand occasion. Mr. Kofi Afful questioned why the community had not effectively leveraged its presence in the metro area to build our own cultural center "GHANA HOUSE'- a center to showcase our culture and serve as a center for all our functions socially and politically. His Excellency Ambassador Dr. Bawuah Edusei, the Guest of Honor for the occasion in his address stressed the importance of recognizing the numerous economic opportunities back home and the need to seek them out before the train leaves us out. This dynamic Ambassador thanked the Asante Association for putting on such a successful event and especially directing some of the proceeds towards education in Ghana. The Chairperson for the evening Ms. Irene Osei, a local business person, encouraged the youth to work hard to fulfill their ambitions and dreams. She further encouraged the community to patronize Ghanaian businesses. She stressed on the importance of teaching our rich culture to our children. The evening's side show included the Asante Association's youthful cultural performance under the tutelage of Nana Akosua Barnieh. They put on an excellent show indeed. Live entertainment was provided by 'Kassa Afrika Band' and the famous Deejay-VEJAY. The dance floor was packed throughout the night. This was the talk of the town as most of the attendees came to show off their beautiful Kente patterns and style. It was a great evening for a great cause that was executed with precision by the event organizers, Mr. Akwasi Owusu, Nana Nimo Twumwaa Achaa and their dedicated entertainment committee members. I suspect The Krobeans- Asante Association will have to seek a bigger hall to accommodate the crown that will descend on next year's gala event. This fundraising dance is the best I have attended in a long while and that seemed to be the overwhelming consensus. Kudos to the Asante Association of the Washington Metropolitan Area. KROBEA ASANTE ! YE BO HO BAN!