The President ,Executives and Advisers of the Kwahuman Europe Foundation, wish Kwahuman Associations worldwide ,Friends , wishers of Kwahuman and Ghanaians Home and Abroad a very Happy Holiday season. May the coming new year bring prosperity and goodwill among us all, as we continue to work towards our individual aspirations and that of the Kwahu traditional area and Ghana as a whole.
Looking back and reflecting on events of 2013,and the previous years, the President of the Foundation Dr., Abena Keller-Agyepong said she was grateful and thanked all members for the achievements of the Foundation since its inception as the Kwahuman Europe Union upgrading to an International registered European Foundation
Some achievements of the foundation in 2013 is as follows :
The Foundation and its members successfully donated two Mercedes Benz Ambulances and a support Benz van to the Kwahu Government Hospital and the Kwahu East Health Administration which oversees operations of five Health Centres in the Kwahu East District namely, the Kotoso Reproductive Health Centre, the St. Joseph Health Centre in Kwahu Tafo and Nkwatia, Abitifie and Pepease Health Centres.
A similar donation of Ambulances was made by Kwahuman Switzerland, a branch of the Kwahuman Europe Foundation to the Atibie and Agogo Hospitals six years ago.
The Foundation has contributed in diverse ways since its inception towards Ghana’s socioeconomic development.Computers and an X-ray machine were also donated to hospitals, schools and library in the traditional area..A current shipment of Computers for schools by Kwahuman Switzerland is on its way to Ghana.
Unfortunately the support van requested by nurses of the Government hospital in Atibie has not since July of this year been cleared.All efforts by the DSU (Diaspora Support Unit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a letter to the chief of Staff of the Government of Ghana has proven fruitless in securing the van for use by the hospital to aid nurses as transportation to the various posts in the hinterlands .The van apparently is not considered a medical vehicle and does not fall under the exemption from taxes . It has incurred a storage cost of over 250 thousand Cedis, a sum that cannot be paid by the donors or receivers.Our fear is that it will be or has been auctioned .
The Foundation is currently in collaboration with the DSU (Diaspora Support Unit )of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs( http://www.ghanaiandiaspora.com) and the Kwahu Development Association.
The most difficult challenge faced by the Foundation and most Associations in general, is how to keep the association running in a sustainable manner .The services of the executive and members are voluntary and humanitarian . The duties and obligations involved however is massive and time consuming and generally not receiving the appreciation and encouragement needed to motivate a continuous action
Dr. Keller is calling on all daughters and sons of Kwahuman , Home and Abroad to get involve in the developmental activities of their traditional area and Ghana as a whole.
The ruling government must must work with such association, NGOs and foundation to bring clarity especially at the port where most of the problems are encountered by those in the Diaspora
The task head in the upcoming year
Kwahuman Associations world wide must focus on building the various unions and associations into a strong work forces that can effectively come to the aid and assistance of members as well as service to building the Kwahu traditional area. .
Must recognise the inherent challenges involved in bringing people of different experience and background together to work on a common goal
Must recognise the need to offer Executive Members the tools needed to effectively perform the functions they have been mandated to undertake.
Must recognise and support individual God given talents of its members and use this to build and strengthen the association in achieving its goals and objectives
Must uphold the vows taken as Executive and Ordinary members, namely poverty alleviating, upgrading the educational and health status of the traditional areas which has beeen the ultimate goal of helping Ghana to become a Just, Safe and Prosperous Nation to live in or come back home to.
Must connect with Kwahuman Associations worldwide when undertaking projects in the traditional area.
Our Website has been created .You can visit us at www.kwahumaneuropefoundation.eu and make a donation
Happy New Year, .Long live Kwahuman, Long Live Ghana
Contact the writer on kwaforson@gmail.com.