Kwakwaduam Association of New York Celebrates

.....2015 End of Year Fundraising Annual Dinner Dance

Kwakwaduam Association of New York celebrated its Annual Fundraising Dinner Dance over the MLK weekend in the Bronx. The theme for the fundraising was “Enhancing Maternal Care in the Akuapem Region of Ghana – The Obstetric Delivery Kit Project“. The project was to raise funds to buy Obstetric Delivery kits for laboring mothers and to enhance the quality of work done by midwives in the Akuapem region of Ghana. Enough Funds were raised to purchase 1000 of such delivery kits with a lot more promises expected.

The program was ushered in with a prayer from Reverend Yaw Asiedu of the Ebenezer Presbyterian Church of the Bronx

Dr. Diana Wolfe, a High Risk Pregnancy Specialist at Albert Einstein Medical College launched the Fund raising campaign by illustrating the Obstetric delivery kit which contains all the essential elements to perform a clean and safe delivery for the mother and the baby. She said she had been to Ghana a few times and sees a profound need for the Obstetric Delivery Kit. Dr. Stephen Asiedu of Oman Clinic in the Bronx worked his magic by encouraging attendees to donate. He said a clean and safe delivery environment was a prerequisite for lowering the perinatal and maternal morbidity rates consistent with the WHO MDGs

The Chairperson for the occasion was Dr. Kofi Adu a Surgeon at Harlem Hospital and was supported by Mrs Dinah Bampoe an Informatics Nurse Specialist North Bronx Healthcare Network. He admonished the youth not to be distracted by the comforts of modern technology from their studies. He applauded Kwakwaduam for all the work it had done over the years and pledged his support for the Organization.

Lawyer Victor Essien was present to swear in the in-coming Executive of the Organization (Mark Saforo – President; Emila Okoampah – Vice President; Paul Ansah – Secretary; Asamoah - Asst. Secretary; Mindy Asiedu – Financial Secretary; Nicole Atram – Treasurer; Lydia Apronti – Organizing Secretary; Abena Yeboa – Asst Organising Secretary; PRO – Kwabena Asante and WHIP – Genevieve Aku and Emmanuel Fenning

The President of the Organization Mr. Mark Saforo said Kwakwaduam continues to fulfill its mission and thanked all those who have supported the Organization over the years. He said Kwakwaduam membership was open to all those who share the vision of the Organization that the best part of every person’s life is what he or she gave back to society. He enumerated the impressive list of projects undertaken by Kwakwaduam over the years. He thanked his Executive for a work well done and recognized some dignitaries present (Lawyer Victor Essien, Dr. Baah-Asante, Rita Dwamena, Nana Yaa Boahema, Dr. Bampoeto mention a few ). The Association of Ghanaian Engineers and Architects were well represented with David Nyarko and others

Awards were presented to deserving members of the Community and Members of Kwakwaduam. The Friends of Kwakwaduam Award went to Daniel Adjei of Kuwait Shipping and Fred Dwamena of Kwahuman Association. Jocelyn Obeng McDade and Joyce Reid received Leadership Awards for their contribution to the success of the Organization.

As always the function was classy, well organized and fun filled. The food was excellent and DJ Rockson kept everybody dancing all night. MC Patrick Akosah who was electrifying.

The Organizing Committee comprised Eric Frempong, Mabel Akosah, Genevieve Aku and Jocelyn McDade.

Visit Kwakwaduam on the Web at www.AkropongKwakwaduam.Org