2008 Odwira / Ohum Festival in Obama City

Please don’t ask me where Obama City is; Chicago City! – Hometown of “President-to-be” Barack Obama has officially been christened Obama City by we the fabulous fraternity of African descendents. Divine intervention says we will be running the white house for the next eight years so join the band-wagon now. We are commencing the royal Obama reign with a grandiose 2008 Odwira Festival in the famous windy city. Each year members of the Okuapemman Association of USA & Canada (OKUSCA) meet in one North American city to celebrate the Odwira / Ohum festival. We celebrate this historic Ghanaian traditional festival to highlight the rich cultural heritage of the Akuapem region, generate funds to improve the socio-economic state of the Akuapem region and Ghana as a whole and to foster the unequivocal love of the all Akuapems in the Diaspora.

The rambunctious Chicago Chapter of the Okuapemman Association of USA & Canada will be hosting this year’s Odwira festival which promises to be a once in a lifetime celebration with an assorted display of cultural pageantry and extravagance at its peak. This years’ festival will be held on Saturday August 30, 2008 - 9p.m. - 3a.m. at: The Grand Ballroom, 6351 S. Cottage Grove Avenue, Chicago, IL 60637 – for more details log onto www.okuapemman-usaca.org and click on the ‘news and events’ menu.

Mr. Cobby Boahene – the Planning Committee Chairperson and Mr. Ohene Anobah – The National Coordinating Chairman are rallying their members to work hard to make this year’s festival an epitome of success. Leaving no stone unturned they’ve already assembled an array of special guest such as: Mr. Emmanuel Siaw, Mamfe mmebaahenemaa Nana Yaa Kwabea, Nana Yirenkyi Bonsu - Okuapehene of Chicago, Nana Akosua Pokua - Okuapehemaa of Chicago and Mr. Dainius R. Dumbrys - Attorney for OKUSCA – this will be a Super do! In Super Chicago! Please don’t be like me and wait till the last minute to book your flight or find a means of transportation – you might end up riding a slow donkey to Chicago!

The term "Odwira" is an Akan (African dialect) word which means “purification” and its true significance is the annual thanksgiving to God for his merciful care and protection; customary purification of the land and people by the chiefs and priests for the spiritual and social renewal to face the trials and triumphs of another year. Instituted by the 19th King (Omanhene) of Akropong, Nana Addo Dankwa 1(1811-1835); the Akuapem Odwira/Ohum festival was first celebrated in October 1826.

The National Secretariat has embarked on a worldwide quest to raise funds to support the construction of the Presbyterian University at Akropong, Akuapem in Ghana. For more information on the Odwira and other endeavors of OKUSCA please email the national secretariat at: osadav01@yahoo.com or the National Coordinating Chairman at: ohene@comcast.net

Ladies and Gentlemen pack your bags and let’s meet in Chicago for a spectacular Odwira festival. Hint - come with the following items: empty stomach, brotherly / sisterly hugs, plenty of smiles and laughter, sun screen lotion, and dancing shoes!

Ofie! Biakoye!