The Asanteman Association of Chicago and The Midwest has raised funds to provide equipment, medical supplies to the Okomfo Anokye Teaching Hospital’s Maternity Ward A2.
The fundraising dinner dance was held at the luxurious Holiday Inn Banquet Hall, 500 Holiday Plaza Dr. Matteson IL 60443.
Attendance was estimated to be over 300, majority dressed in various types of colorful traditional kente outfits.
Others with different attires had Kente stoles over their shoulders to blend.
This year’s fundraising and Kente dance took place amidst a “dark cloud” over the event. This was due to an anonymous message circulating on social media in the community, asking members of the community to boycott the event.
The President of the Ghana National Council of Metropolitan Chicago, Paa Kwasi Sam, appealed to members of the community to support the Asanteman Association.
Indeed, over three hundred and fifty members of the community attended the function.
Mr. Sam, The President of the Chieftaincy Council, Alhajie Naa Issah Samori, Mr. and Mrs. and Mrs. Berko Akoto of the African Spectrum fame and other community leaders were there in their numbers to grace the occasion.
Footage of video showing rehabilitation work and donations sent to the Hospital was shown to the audience.
The first phase of the project in 2016 included painting the A2 ward, reconstruction of Two (2), outmoded water sinks, donation of 15 brand new beds, 15 waterproof mattresses, 15 iv poles, 15 bedside lockers, 15 pillows/cases and 2 multifunction obstetric beds.
The second phase included an add-on of Twenty-five (25), brand new beds, Twenty-five (25), waterproof mattresses, Twenty-five (25), iv poles, Twenty-five (25), bedside lockers, Twenty-five (25), pillows/cases, Two (2) brand new wheel chairs, Two (2), brand new trolley stretchers, One (1) brand new full-size refrigerator, One (1) brand new microwave oven, Three (3), office desks, Ten (10), office chairs and other medical supplies.
The event was one of the best planned in recent years. Adowa dancers with beautiful and lovely Adowa dancing skills thrilled the audience!Besides time for fundraising activities, the audience were treated the best in the arsenal of D.J Odikro.
As usual, the acclaimed legendary emcee in town, Nana Yaw Marfo, was there with his antics, tickling the crowd to amusement! The event was chaired by Bernard Kwadwo Akowuah.
The co-chairs were Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Kyeremanteng.
The Asanteman Association used the occasion to honor the following Kente Dance Committee members by presenting them with awards for their service to the organization. They are:
• Victor Boafo (Chair)
• Mrs. Linda Agyemang-Asare (Co-Chair)
• Nana Yaw Asamoah
• Nana Kofi Oduro
• Nana Barnieh Agyeman
• Nana Yaw Marfo
• Francis Duah
• George Asiedu
• Nana Afua Durowaa
• Obaapa Sally Owusu
• Mrs. Abena Agyeman Bugyei
and the late, Mrs. Elizabeth Abena Bekoe.
Members of the organization used the occasion to recognize and celebrate the birthday of their queen, Ohemaa Abena Amponsah by cutting a cake.
Also Alhaji Issa Samori was given a standing ovation in recognition of his birthday which fell on the 6th of October.
The 2019 “Kente Hene” went to Sylvester Shafa and Naa Deede Amobiye was adjudged the 2019, Kente Hemaa.
Chicagoans really know how to do it ! Yes, once again the Chicago Ghanaian community has shown that when called upon , they rally in support of each other! It was an unforgettable and remarkable weekend!
The lenses of sankofaonline.com were there to bring these images to our worldwide viewers.
Source: www.sankofaonline.com
