Mr. Abbeam Danso Adjei Donates $50,000.00 Towards Cobaana Dialysis Project In Sunyani, Bono Region

The Ghanaian industrialist and CEO of Ghana Link Networks Services limited, Mr. Abbeam Danso Adjei has donated $50, 000.00 towards the Dialysis Center to be built at Sunyani by the Council of Bono and Ahafo Associations of North America (COBAANA). The presentation was made on his behalf by his General Manager Mr. Raymond Rexford Amaglo at the just ended 2024 Annual convention of the association held at Newark, New Jersey, United States of America from August 30^th to September 1^st, 2024. The convention was co-chaired by Dr. Yaw Owusu Baah (a medical practitioner from New York), under the theme “THE HEALTH OF OUR PEOPLE IS OUR CONCERN” brought together delegates from all the fourteen (14) chapters of the association in both United States and Canada. In a speech read on his behalf at the event, Mr. Abbeam’s stressed on the need to give back to the society as a way of our social responsibility. He again said, the rise in the kidney related diseases and the few dialysis centers in Ghana makes the proposed center critical and call on all Ghanaians especially those from the three regions to help COBAANA to make their dream come true. It should be recalled that during COBAANA’s homecoming and fundraising summit held in Sunyani in May last year, Mr. Abbeam donated 500 million Ghana cedis towards the same project.

COBAANA is an umbrella association of all citizens from the hitherto Brong Ahafo region who have come together to serve as a developmental partner to their motherland. Despite the division of the region into three separate regions, the association decided to remain one because as they put it, “what unites them is more than what divides them”. The association decided to build the dialysis center in Sunyani to ease the psychological and financial problems and other inconveniences that patients from the three regions have to go through when they have to go for dialysis treatment in either Kumasi or Accra.

$5 MILLION WORTH OF MEDICAL SUPPLIES COMMITTED BY WMR

During the convention, the Guest Speaker, Dr. George V. Samson, the Chief Executive Officer of World Medical Relief (WMR) expressed his concern about the state of poor medical facilities in the developing countries and call on donor agencies and other NGO’s to help alleviate this phenomenon. World Medical Relief is a Southfield based non-profit charity organization founded in 1953 that sends medical equipment, supplies and medicines to the sick, poor and elderly people in over 130 nations worldwide. He welcomed the decision of COBAANA to work with his organization to bring relief to the thousands, if not millions of the underprivileged in Ghana, some of whom die for lack of medical supplies and facilities. He commended COBAANA for the bold initiative of their decision to build a dialysis center in Ghana to help the countless citizens who suffer from renal related diseases. On behalf of the World Medical Relief (WMR), he committed 10 containers of medical equipment and supplies worth $5 million to COBAANA.

OSAGYEFO OSEADEYO DR. AGYEMAN BADU II GRACES COBAANA 2024

The Special Guest of Honor for the event was Osagyefo Oseadeyo Dr. Agyeman Badu II, the Omanhene of the Dormaa Traditional Area and President of the Bono Regional House of Chiefs. In his remarks, the reverend chief called on Ghanaians in the diaspora to look back to the land of their birth and see areas they can help since the government alone cannot shoulder the responsibility of developing the country. He at the same time decried the attitude and practice of some people in Ghana who mismanage resources sent to them from their relatives abroad and has led to many in the diaspora deciding not to remit to them for future projects. Touching on the need for responsible leadership in Ghana, Nana admonished all those in leadership positions in Ghana to see themselves as servants who should be accountable to the people they lead. He said the country needs selfless leaders who can help reduce the hardship and problems facing the people in Ghana. He pleaded with the government in power to reconsider the various tax elements on import duties, to help ease up the stress on our brothers and sisters in the diaspora and importers, since they contribute a lot to the nation’s development. Nana donated $5,000.00 towards the project.

In attendance at the event was Odeneho Dr. Afram Brimpong III, Omanhene of Suma Traditional area, Nana Yeboah Pene II, Queen mother of Chiraa, as well as other traditional rulers and other government dignitaries.

The three-day convention which brought together over 300 delegates from across the continental North America, begun on the Friday with a ferry ride to the Statue of liberty and the Ellis Island Immigration Museum. At the Ellis Island, COBAANA members had a firsthand education on the immigration history of the United States America, how early settlers arrived from different parts of the world and their stories and experiences. The evening saw a new addition to COBAANA convention – COBAANA Got Talent, where our youth entertained us to dance, music and lots of activities. The annual COBAANA general meeting was held on Saturday morning where our leaders accounted for the stewardship. An election was held and the incoming administration was sworn in.

The new executives who will be at the helm of affairs for the next four years are Dr. DeGraft Kwafo of New Jersey, Trenton (Chairman), Dr. Richard Druyeh from Atlanta (Vice Chairman), Mr. William Owusu (Osika) from Columbus as General Secretary and Ms. Juliet A. Amponsah from New Jersey, Newark as the Assistant Secretary. Other officers are Mr. Seth Bonsu of Denver as the Public Relations Officer and Mr. Ahmed Hashun from Toronto as his Assistant. The position of Financial Secretary went to Nana Kwabena Boateng from Washington and the position of Treasurer went to Nana Akua Durowaaa from Connecticut. A new Council of Elders was also appointed. They are Rev. Akwasi Amponsah, Nana Gyamfi Ankama Gyakabri, Mr. Thomas Tua, Mr. Samuel Tandoh and Barima Twumasi Bekoe II. The outgoing General Secretary, Mr. Augustine Boahen was also appointed as the Ombudsman of the association. There was also the crowning of COBAANA King and Queen.

The convention was crowned with a mega picnic and it was a sight to delight. Music, Food, and tons of entertainment thrilled delegates who were on their feet for the whole time and at the end of the day, delegates showered praises on the local planning committee for such a memorable convention. Before the curtains were drawn down, the chairperson of the Newark chapter, Ms. Juliet Amponsah handed over the ceremonial baton to the Chairman of Denver chapter, Mr. Andrew Kumalo the host chapter of the 2025 convention.

Author: William Owusu (Osika)
General Secretary – COBAANA.