Bronx New York - In a most spectacular ceremony in the Bronx, New York, Professor R. Merkatz was outdoored as the Dompeahene of Adukrom in Ghana under the stool name Nana Merkatz Larbi II. It was a unique cultural exchange; well executed. The program was under the auspices of Nana Otutu Kono III, Nifahene of Akwapim and Omanhene of Adukrom and under the Chairmanship of Nana Dr. Frimpong Manso, Akyem Kotoku Manhene. Other Chiefs and Queenmothers present included Nana Yaa Boahemaa, Nana Nyaadu, Nana Asantewaah, Nana Akua Sefaa and Nana Oten Bosomprah
It would be recalled that in February this year Professor Merkatz was in Ghana leading a team of Doctors from the Einstein Medical College and Montefiore Medical Center to attend a “Call to action” conference to train 1000+ OB/GYNs in sub-Saharan Africa. He went to Adukrom and met Nana Otutu Kono Nifahene of Akwapim. It was at such meeting that he was installed as Dompeahene of Adukrom. His going to Adukrom was because Kwakwaduam Association Inc of New York had donated medical supplies and equipment to enhance the midwifery activities at the Okrakwadwo Health Center and the Doctors were following up to thank Nana Otutu Kono for attending that presentation at Okrakwadwo.
The ceremony started with an opening Christian prayer from Rev Dr. Nyanteh, a Rabbinical prayer of Revelation by Rabbi Angela W. Buchdahl, Chief Rabbi, Central Synagogue NYC read on her behalf by Dr. Scott Chudnoff and an offering of the Ghanaian ancestral prayer by Dr. Kwame Aniapam Boafo
In the opening remarks, Dr. Boafo thanked Nana Kono for coming from Ghana to grace the occasion and recounted the commitment of the professional life of Professor Merkatz to the welfare of women and children. He also indicated that Prof Merkatz had already shipped a 40 ft container load of medical equipment and supplies to be delivered to TQMH at Mampong Akwapim and Adukrom Health Center.
Dr. Kofi Adu recounted the history of Adukrom and the diaspora as a prelude to the speech of Nana Kono in which he indicated that Chieftaincy in Ghana had to be modernized to take advantage of global networking potential. He suggested that Chieftaincy should not be about show of royalty but a constant engagement of the government and its people for the development of their respective areas. He announced that consistent with culture he would be installing Mrs Lydia Apronti of New York as Dompeahemeaa to assist Prof Merkatz. Mrs Apronti in a graceful cultural symbolic gesture presented a basket of gifts to the First Lady Mrs Merkatz
The splendid ceremonial outdooring itself was performed by Nana Darko Larbi I of Adukrom. In his remarks Professor Merkatz thanked Nana Kono for the honor bestowed on him and admonished his family and all to emulate a life of love and a commitment to serve. He pledged his support to the development of the Adukrom area and his commitment to the training of the 1000+ OB/GYNs in sub-Saharan Africa to combat maternal mortality and morbidity.
Other speakers at the function included Dr. Edward Burns, Executive Dean, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Dr. Andrew Racine, Senior VP Montefiore Medical Center, David Nyako, Dr. Melissa Peskin, Dr. Diana Wolfe, Dr. Peter Klatsky, Lawyer Essien who spoke on Ghana and the Diaspora and Dr. Kafui Demasio who gave the vote of thanks
The program was efficiently run by the MCs Mark Saforo and Joyce Reid, President and Vice president of Kwakwaduam Association Inc respectively.
A splendid cultural display by the Ahene Cultural Troupe topped it all.
Media representation was by Faweb Media Solutions and Onua Francis Ayisi Snr. Culturally sensitive and great music was provided by DJ Katabo. It was a unique, well executed, funfilled, exquisite and a classy program.
Meticulous planning by the team of Martin Larbi, Lydia Apronti, Mark Saforo and Dr. Boafo
