Citizens of Brong Ahafo in diaspora converge in Toronto, Canada, this Memorial Day weekend to inaugurate the Brong Ahafo Association of North America (COBAANA). In attendance to grace the occasion were the Regional Minister Honorable Kwadwo Nyamekye Marfo, Osahene Kwaku Aterkyi II, Omanhene of Kukom and President of Brong Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs. and Nana Abena Boatemaa Ohemaa of Domase I and also doubles as the President of Brong Ahafo Queen Mothers’ Association.The following Brong Ahafo Associations in the United States were present. The Branh Ahafo Associations of Chicago, Illinois. Denver, Colorado. Columbus, Ohio. Washington DC and Worcester, Massachusetts.
The theme of the event was Promoting Education in the Brong-Ahafo Region of Ghana.The Hon. Minister of the Region, Kwadwo Nyamekye Marfo stressed that the government was doing its part in building educational infrastructure and programs for the kids to stay in school. He pleaded with Brong-Ahafo citizens in the Diaspora to do their best to help their kith and kin back home. Mr. Nyamekye praised both the past administration of Ghana led by His Excellency John Agyekm Kufour the current administration led by John Evans Attah Mills for the construction of road infrastructure and many projects currently under construction in the region. He extended greetings from the President and people of Ghana, and citizens of the Brand-Ahafo Region to members of COBAANA. Mr. Nyamekye further appealed to members of COBAANA and individuals to come home to invest in development projects to supplement the efforts of the government.
Osahene Nana Aterkyi’s message was of unity and advised the citizens of the region to unite and eschew any rumors of diversity. He spoke at length about land litigation and chieftaincy disputes in the region.
Hon Nyamekye Marfo led the swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected COBAANA Executives Kwasi Amponsa-Yeboah, Chairman, Alex Ankomah Vice Chairman, Paul Gyau. Secretary. Padmore Gyan Asst. Secretary, Samuel Tandoh, Publicity Officer, Francis Apraku,Treasurer, and Daniel Kofi Asante, Financial Secretary.
The chairman of the event was Dr.Twum Barima and also present was the Consul General of Toronto Hon. Kwadwo Mawutor. Dr. Twum Barima expressed his sincere gratitude to the COBAANA leadership for bringing together sons and daughters of Brong Ahafo. He also congratulated Aduana Stars for making the region proud by winning the Ghana Premier League.
A thanksgiving church service presided by Rt. Rev. Peter Acheampong was held at the United Methodist Church and was followed by a town hall meeting of questions and answers by Hon Kwadwo Nyamekye Marfo and Osahene Nana Kwaku Aterkyi. At this meeting the Consul General of Toronto Hon. Kwadwo Mawutor recounted his sorrowful experience as a diplomat in Senegal where some of the youth (dominantly from the Brong Ahafo Region) lost their lives by trying dangerously to enter Europe without legal documentation. A picnic serving various Ghanaian dishes and barbecue was well attended.
This first COBAANA gathering was well organized, impressive and massively attended.
