On Saturday July 27, Citizens of Adansi in the Ashanti region of Ghana joined hands at the Ghanatta Hall on Webster Avenue in Bronx, New York to inaugurate their newly formed association.
The colorful event attracted other Ghanaian Associations all over the United States some of which sent representatives to be part of the event. In his welcome address Nana Kwame Abu Frimpong, the President of the Association expressed his appreciation to some leading personalities in New York through whose untiring efforts the birth of the association has been a reality. He said “I stand here tonight to appreciate Nana Asante Twenebour, Apagyahene of Fomena, and Nana Amponsah Gyabra II , Twafohene of Ayaase and others who joined hands with me to give birth to the New Adansiman Association of USA in January 2010.We started with only five members but today we can boast of eighty-six members ”
The President also lamented over the lack of developmental projects in Adansi in spite of the natural resources the area is endowed with. He therefore called for a stronger, united Adansiman that can demand their God given right to bring lasting development in the Adansi District.
The guest Speaker for the occasion, Mr. George Bright-Abu, an Adansi royal commended the members for joining hands as a United body and also impressed upon them the pride of being citizens of Adansiman. He encouraged the members to educate their children born in the United States about their heritage and also admonished them to take advantage of the educational opportunities in the United States to make a difference in their lives. He also called on the members to think more about what they can do to make the association stand rather than what the association can do for them.
The vibrant display of Ashanti culture was heightened with the arrival of the New York Asantefoohene, Nana Acheampong Tieku and his entourage, which included queen mothers and Nana Amakye an elder statesman in the Ghanaian Community of New York. The cultural drumming and dancing preceded the formal inauguration of the association by the Guest Speaker Mr. George Bright-Abu.
There were special presentations by Mr. Amaha Kassa Esq. Executive Director of the African Communities Together and Ms. Jassica Greeberg of the African Service Committee. A representative of the Ghana Consulate in New York, Mr. Daniel Clottey urged all the members of the Association to be law abiding and respect the laws of the country. He also asked them to conduct themselves as worthy citizens of Ghana. He said, “I am very impressed by your efforts and I am happy I would carry a good report back to the consulate”
The aims of the association are to support, aid and promote the interest of Adansi’s in the United States, to foster friendship and understanding among members to seek friendship and peaceful co-existence and unity among other Ghanaian groups and others nationals and to protect social and cultural activities and to support aspirations of Adansi’s worldwide to promote economic and social activities in Adansi district.
Adansi is a traditional area in the Ashanti Region of Ghana, and consists of several districts in the southern part of the Ashanti Region. Adansi is home of AngloGold- Ashanti at Obuasi one of the ten largest Gold mines in the world where gold has been mined since at least the seventeenth century. Notable Adansi Citizens include Mr. P.V Obeng , Presidential Advisor, Late R.O Amoako Atta, C.K Toku and J.Y Ghann who have all at certain times served in various capacities in the government of Ghana
