By Celestine Avi
At a vibrant cultural gathering in Vienna, Austria, Hon. Nana Oye Bampoe Addo called on the Ghanaian diaspora to uphold the nation’s cherished values of leadership, unity, and service. The occasion, held on June 14, 2025, at the Vienna International Centre, marked the enstoolment of the Gyaase Hemaa and Adonten Hemaa of Austria under the auspices of Asanteman Austria.
Speaking on the sidelines of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) Implementation Review Group session, Hon. Nana Oye Bampoe Addo commended the Ghanaian community in Austria for preserving their identity while contributing meaningfully to both Ghanaian and Austrian societies.
“Leadership in our tradition is about service, not status. The enstoolment we are witnessing is a call to serve, unite, and uplift our people—whether at home or abroad,” she said.
She applauded Asanteman Austria for sustaining cultural pride in the diaspora and lauded the newly enstooled queen mothers for accepting the responsibility to lead.
“Let us renew our commitment to the values that define us as Ghanaians—respect for tradition, unity in diversity, and the relentless pursuit of excellence,” she urged.
Hon. Bampoe Addo also encouraged young Ghanaians in the diaspora to remain rooted in their culture while looking to the future with vision and ambition.
“To the youth, I say: be proud of who you are. Our heritage is not a burden—it is our strength,” she added.
Ghana’s Ambassador to Austria, H.E. Matilda Alomatu Osei-Agyeman, reiterated the constitutional protection of Ghana’s cultural practices.
“The Constitution of Ghana guarantees every citizen the right to practice and promote their culture, language, and tradition. Chieftaincy is not just symbolic, it is foundational,” the Ambassador emphasized.
She noted that the Embassy was honored to have the Deputy Chief of Staff from the Presidency in attendance, which underscored the importance the state places on cultural identity, even in the diaspora.
The event concluded with cultural performances, traditional rites, and a renewed sense of unity among Ghanaians living abroad.
