First Lady Dr. Lordina Mahama Addresses Brong Ahafo Associations In Toronto

The good people of Brong-Ahafo heritage living in the North American geographical zone, having united under the umbrella name—Convention of Brong Ahafo Associations in North America--“COBAANA” for short; staged yet another ecstatic Fifth Annual COBAANA Convention at the Milvan Drive, Toronto-Canada. Indeed, to say the occasion was well-attended will be understatement; but truth be told, the occasion left the exuberant participants chanting for more especially when the Special Guest of Honor was Her Excellency Dr. Lordina Mahama—the First Lady of Ghana.

On May 23^rd 2015 the street of Milvan Drive, Toronto, ON was painted with colorful and sparkling regalia by Chiefs, Queen-Mothers, Members and other well-wishers of Brong Ahafo when they colorfully donned their various traditional apparels to climax this year’s COBAANA Convention. The colorful scene left a friend with a succinct description in the local parlance “ Kente a, Kente!... Entuma a, Entuma” as she describes the unique styles of various embroidered wax-prints, Kente-cloths and the golden ornaments of the traditional leaders.

The convention kicked off with Town Hall meeting on Saturday May 23 in the morning to welcome all members from various States and Countries. The day was climaxed with a banquet dinner dance which kicked off at 7pm with attendance estimated above thousand.

Apart from the meritorious Frist Lady who is an indigene of the Region, other notable guest in attendance were: Hon. Eric Opoku—Brong-Ahafo Regional Minister, Hon. Elizabeh Ofosu-Adjare-- Minister of Culture, Tourism & Arts; Nana Pimampim Yaw Kagberese V—President of Brong Ahafo House of Chiefs; Queen Mother of Bechem Traditional Area-Nana Adwoapa Dwamena Serwa. Other dignitaries attracted were Adontenhene of Techiman –Nana Asare Baffour Twibrempong; the Anyima-hene Obrempong Ameyaw Amponsem II and the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Development of Canada, Mrs. Lois Brown, amongst scores of prestigious business, political and medical stalwarts.

The ceremony was organized to raise funds for basic level education, especially in the rural communities in Brong Ahafo under the theme "Changing Life through Education".

Taking you down history lane, COBAANA was formed in May 29th 2010 in Toronto to mobilize Brong Ahafo indigenes and friends in North America to support each other, preserve the identity of Brong Ahafo and Ghanaian culture. They also aimed at complementing government’s efforts by organizing similar annual fundraising events to support the needs in the Region. Some successful achievements of the organization include procurement of medical equipment and devices worth over $100,000.00 to support the Sunyani Regional Hospital Medical Center.

The President of COBAANA, Mr Alex Ankomah in his address reiterated that the initiative formed part of the objectives of the association to complement the government's efforts in providing social interventions in the region. He justified the choice to raise funds this year to support some basic schools where pupils are still studying under trees, in wooden structures and open spaces.

Keynote address was delivered by the dutiful First Lady with the Stool name Nana Akosua Frema Ampomah Sika I. She recounted the progress Ghanaians and other African migrants are making in the Country to make life worth living for themselves and their families through education and hard works. She introduced recipients of scholarship awards her office had instituted and urged the youth to work harder to achieve such laurels. She demonstrated that being a first lady is not limited to the chambers alone; it requires dynamism and Mrs. Mahama exhibited that through her ability to express self in many local languages.

It was rather a bit disappointing that B/A traditional drumming and dancing were not well showcased on the day; however the occasion revealed the strong cordial inter-cultural relationship Ghana enjoys when the Ewe/Ga Cultural Ensemble performed waist-twisting “Kpalongo” dance to the admiration of the audience. Nonetheless, gospel songstress Ewuraba Nyamekye entertained the crowd and kept the first lady and numerous on their feet entirely. Even the few “geriatric folks” who couldn’t stand on their feet due to various joint aches were seen wiggling their body-parts in synchrony to the movable songs.

At a point in time, I had sensed that the audience were becoming irritable. Their feet were itching and their dancing shoes were becoming tighter. The dancing floor was begging. There came the moment of ecstatic cheers, joy and moves at last when the DJ ushered the mammoth crowd to their feet with latest and good old yester-year’s songs from mainly Ghana and Nigeria. I leave the rest to your imagination

The event—a very successful one of course, was transmitted live on Amansan Radio Bronx, NY; Radio Amenado, Denver; Abrokyire Nsem –Diaspora Matters Now Networks with positive feedbacks from their cherished listeners globally. Presenter at the event was Grace Imo –host: Diaspora Matters (Abrokyire Nsem) and Love & Relationship Show (Odo Nkomo).

Notable members who operated behind the stage were:

Ahmed Hashum, Janet Acquah, Peter Kyeremeh, Paul Ameyaw, Frank Amankwaah, Alex Frimpong, Alex Frimpong, Kwame Ntow-Duku.

Special Thanks goes to Kwame Afena—resident of Chicago-USA (a.k.a. Prince Charming) whose hospitality was so pleasurable and immeasurable. To Mr. Patrick Yeboah and Simons Kofi Adams, I say a big thank you for your support. Lastly but not the least, special appreciation to Frank Goka (Amansan Radio, NY) for his dedication.

Watch out for our next outreach program soon @ abrokyirensemtv.com.

As reported by:
Grace Imo.