Second Asante Congress scheduled for August

Kumasi, June 10, GNA - The four-day second biennial Asante Congress would be held from August 2-6 this year in Kumasi. The congress under the theme "Celebrating the Vision and Heroism of Obaa Yaa Asantewaa" is dedicated to the memory of Nana Yaa Asantewaa, Queenmother of Ejisu, who led the Asantes in a war against the British in 1900.

It would be organised as part of the centenary celebration of her heroism. Addressing a news conference in Kumasi last Friday, Nana Owusu Aduenin II, Denyasehene and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Congress, said all Asante groups, associations, societies and traditional councils would be represented by 10 delegates.

He said that the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, would perform the official opening on Thursday, August three adding that the congress would be climaxed with a durbar of chiefs on Saturday, August five. Mr Kofi Osei Akuoko, Acting Executive Secretary of the Congress, said that it is a deliberative body for Asanteman, which discusses and crystallise issues to be implemented by appropriate bodies, institutions and agencies. He said that some aspects of the communiqu? issued at the last congress in 1998 are being implemented and bearing fruits.

The first congress was held under the theme "Development initiatives in the 21st century". Mr Akuoko said that the congress is to bring all Asantes and friends of Asantes together, harness resources and map out strategies for the development of Asanteman.