"Asante Kotoko, Oh say yeey, yee, yeeeey,", obviously many Ghanaians know this popular song. Sounds like Kotoko fans singing at Kotoko and Hearts'game right? definitely not, it is the event which made so much noise in the media, historically the first ever Ashanti Unity Dance which occured in Harlem, NY on Christmas Day. If you were not there, you definitely missed something great.
Ghana's Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations Tachie-Menson transformed "Ashanti Unity Dance" with a powerful unifying speech that incorporates the mission, strategic vision, and Ghanaians authentic voice being heard at the mission, and a commitment to the common good for all Ghanaians. Minister Tachie-Menson touched on renewed effort of our democratic institution, ushering in political freedom spreading alongside economic freedom, bringing with it renewed hope for a better life, rooted in the honorable and healthy competition of effort and ideas.
The Honorable Minister in the company of Consul General S. Yaw Bimpong lauded the efforts of the organizers with a transformational mission of dance through Unity and fund raising to ensure community development in Ghana.
The organizers were; Nana Anane Amponsah, Asantefuohene cited by Mr. CNN of Ghanaweb as " a well dignified leader, great communicator and his willingness to cross barriers"; Dr. Yaw Antwi,Effiaduase President; Adomako Fofie, Effiaduase Vice-President; Yaw Oteng-Adjei, AFA (USA) inc. Chairman; Rebecca Opoku, AFA (USA) Vice Chairperson; George Bonah, AshTown Club President; Emily Abraham Ashtown Vice-President; Nana Bofah Abebrese (AshTown); Francis Nsiah-Tuffour, Amansie President; Nana Kwabena Amakye, Amansie Vice Pres.; Baafour Awuah, Suame Abusua President; Martha Boadu Suame Vice Pres.; Nana Osei Sarpong, Asanteman Association Financial Sec; Kofi Adu Boahen, Mampong Kontonkyi Chairman, Nana Assenso Kodie, Mampong Kontonkyi; Edward Mensah, Ejisuman President; Desmond Nkansah, Ejisuman Fin. Secretary and Kwame Asumeng, Ashanti Unity Dance Secretary.
Ashanti Unity Dance bustling with crowd flamboyantly dress in Christmas celebration mood with Ashanti flavor was all night long full of fun and dance to the DeeJay songs of Yellowman.
The fraternity as expressed by Asanteman Association of USA in conjunction with Asafo Fanti New Town and Amakom (AFA USA Inc), AshTown Club, (USA) inc., Amansie Kuo, Asante Mampong Kontonkyi, Suame Abusua, Ejisuman Association, Tafo Pankrono, Kwabere Kuo, Agogoman Association, Adansiman Association, and Effiaduase Association made Daasebre Anane Amponsah, the Asantefuohene indicated in his address that "Together, we have seen how we succeed when we work together. We know the way. This time is full of possibility to work together and ease the life of all Ghanaians."
Daasebre Amponsah expressed the desire to continue this historic unifying cause among all organizations to execute permanent development in Ghana. More over, Daasebre indicated his determination to seek the partnership of all like-minded non-governmental and governmental institutions to overcome economic disparity among the new immigrants from Ghana to New York. Daasebre urged all Ghanaians under 18 years old to seek free health care available under New York State Department of Health HealthStat program.(YOU HEARD IT RIGHT, FREE HEALTH CARE AVAILABLE, SO TAKE THE CHANCE)
The Yuletide season proved to be real season of giving as Philanthropist Steve Mallory, Chief Executive Officer of General Media Strategies, publisher of African-American Observer and Daily Journal contributed One Thousand US dollars ($1000 USD) to finance the on-going effort of unifying all Ghanaians in New York; Nana Amoako, Chief Executive of Lyons International (Newark) paid for all the Gulder, Guinness and Star beer used in the festivity, and Counsel Kwadwo Opoku donated computers, copy machine worth thousands of US dollars to advance the cause of Asanteman Education Fund.
The organizers took time off the dancing to pay tribute to; the Asante spiritual leader; Otumfuo Nana Osei Tutu II and Ghana's democratic leader; President John K. Kufour. These two incumbents happened to live in Ashanti New Town which blooms AshTown Club of USA.
Indefatigable efforts of Charles Nimmo N. Mensah aka Mr. CNN of Ghanaweb and Kwame Asumeng were also recognized for bringing the publicity to the media level.
On this day, Mother Ghana was proud for such a great concept. Keep hope alive.