Brong Ahafo Association of Columbus, Ohio Meets

The Annual Party and Dance of the Brong Ahafo Association of Columbus, Ohio was organized on Saturday, October 24 2009. It was very well attended in spite of many other Ghanaian activities scheduled that night in the Columbus area.

The ceremony was chaired by Rev. & Mrs. George Adusei-Bonsu of Pickerington, Ohio, who are themselves members of the Association. They were supported by Mr. Sampson Kontomah, a Prudential Financial Services Associate, and Dr. Bernard Oppong of Ohio Health Systems. In attendance were the Presidents and representatives of the Asantemankuo, Okyeman, and Ghanaian Veterans of Columbus. The occasion was also graced with the presence of Nana Abora Adjorku VII, Tufuhene of Agona Kwanyaako, Nana Abena Ahema III, Gyaasehemaa of Agona Swedru and Nana Gyamfi Kumanin, representative of Nana Agyemang-Badu, Omanhene of Dorma in Ghana.

In his welcome address, the President of the Brong Ahafo Association of Columbus, Nana Odeneho Osei Kwabena thanked members and guests for their loyalty and support. He took the opportunity to give a brief history of the Association after which he introduced the Executive Committee members. Like most Ghanaian Associations in the Diaspora, the Brong Ahafo Association of Columbus was formed barely seven years ago with the aim of uniting members to secure for themselves the blessings of prosperity and justice in the United States, and the betterment of the Brong Ahafo Region and Ghana as a whole.

The Guest Speaker for the occasion was the Chairperson. Without mincing words, the talented and humorous former Catholic priest underscored the need for Ghanaians to belong to Diaspora associations. The Reverend Adusei-Bonsu began his remarks by reminding his audience that Ghanaian Associations in the Diaspora are formed for the purpose of fostering unity, friendship and support among members, and never intended to harm or pull down any one. “No man is an island,” he continued. “We depend on one another for our very survival, and we succeed in this endeavor through unity….. As men and women who have left our larger, traditional families back home in Ghana, there is always the urgent need to find another family here in the United States. Let us do away with our negative perceptions of Ghanaians for it is the same Ghanaian who will come to our aid when the need arises, both in joyful and sad moments….Clearly, the benefits of our membership in Ghanaian Associations are far much greater than our exit from them. Therefore, let us not allow some human failings that we may have to draw us away from one another and from noble organizations like the Brong Ahafo Association of Columbus.”

Side attractions of the event included a Kofi ne Amma silver collection, a raffle draw with prices as big as 27” Flat Screen TV, and free new membership registrations. Twelve new members were registered.

The success of the 2009 Party and Dance was a collective effort. The entire members of the Brong Ahafo Association of Columbus deserve a pat on their shoulders. Miss Dora Temma and the women of the Association cannot be left out for providing such delicious meals in abundance. The organizational skills of Christopher Baah, the Organizing Secretary, were also displayed. Even at 4 a.m., the dance floor was still full. DJ Ericko was at his best. The Prudential Insurance Company of America in Columbus, Ohio was the sole sponsor of the event.

For more information on the financial services provided by Prudential, you may please contact Sampson Kontomah at (614) 472-2707 ext. 7233 or sampson.kontomah@prudential.com. Those interested in joining or knowing more about the Brong Ahafo Association of Columbus can contact the President at (614) 260-6687 or owusu.marvin@yahoo.com or the Secretary at danielsante@scbcglobal.net.