REPORT ON THE INAUGURAL CONGRESS OF THE MFANTSEMAN ASSOCIATIONS OF NORTH AMERICA (MANA), JULY 10 11, 2010

Transcription

1 REPORT ON THE INAUGURAL CONGRESS OF THE MFANTSEMAN ASSOCIATIONS OF NORTH AMERICA (MANA), JULY 10 11, 2010 Summary The inauguration of the Mfantseman Associations of North America (MANA) was held at the Red Lion Hotel in Aurora, Denver Metro area in Colorado on July 10-11, MANA was founded on October 10, 2009 by Mr. Kobina Lartson (Denver, CO). The other founding fathers include: Mr. Richard Appoh (Chicago, IL), Mr. Joseph Yankah (Atlanta, GA), Mr. Francis Brown (Toronto, ON), Mr. Pat Yorke Eghan (Chicago, IL) and Mr. Ekow Amonoo (Chicago, IL). Previous attempts to unite Fantes in North America involved Nana Kobina Korantsen and Mr. Pat Yorke Eghan. Until the inauguration Mr. Lartson was the Interim President, while Mr. Appoh was the Secretary and Mr. Yankah the Treasurer/Public Relations Officer. MANA affiliate organizations who participated in the inauguration, business session as well as the Mfantseman Hospital Equipment Fundraiser and the installation of Fante chiefs in Colorado included: Mfantsekuw of Southern California; Mfantseman Kuw of Colorado; Mfantsiman Association of Atlanta, Inc. Georgia; Fante Benevolent Society of Chicago, Illinois; Mfantsiman Association of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The keynote speaker was Mr. Koby Koomson, former Ambassador of Ghana to the United States of America. In his inaugural address, Mr. Koomson, charged all Fante people to United in order to present a formidable front to effect meaningful changes in Ghana. He said, as Ghanaians in Diaspora, there is the tendency for us to forget who we are. He stated that the current political dispensation is such that without any political connections, we would have no input at all in Ghana s political landscape. He stated that it is only when we come together to form associations such as MANA that we could channel all our efforts to effect any meaningful change in the politics of our motherland. Mr. Koomson promised that he would make available any resources and connections that MANA would need to be an effective Organization of all Fante people in Diaspora both in North America and in Ghana. The Special Guest of Honor was the Omanhene of Oguaa traditional area Osabarimba Kwesi Atta (II). Osabarimba charged MANA to ensure that they bring all Fante people in North America together. He stated that Fante chiefs of the Central and Western Regions of Ghana at the moment are working hard to constitute the Fante Confederation. He admitted that their efforts to unite all their people, are not without challenges but nevertheless, he

2 is not perturbed by these challenges but rather looking forward to the day all Fante people could come together as one people. Osabarimba promised that he would be an ambassador for MANA and that anytime MANA is ready to present a partition to the government of Ghana, he would mobilize his council of chiefs to lead the MANA delegation to the seat of government in Ghana. He also promised to make an office space available to MANA in his Palace, currently under renovation. Osabarimba also used the occasion to brief all the Ghanaians at the occasion about the constitutional review commission and the task entrusted to them by the President of Ghana. He said after their tours to the various regional and district capitals, each commissioner would embark on tours outside of Ghana to collect submissions from Ghanaians in Diaspora in order to review the current constitution of the land. He charged all Ghanaians to send in their submissions so that provisions in the current constitution which need to be reviewed and amended are so treated. The current interim executives were retained by a popular affirmation. New executives were also elected to bring the current executive to full capacity. The current executive list is as follows: Mr. Kobina Lartson of Colorado, President; Mr. Francis Brown of Ontario, Vice President; Mr. Richard Appoh of Illinois, Secretary; Mr. Joseph Yankah of Atlanta, Treasurer, and Miss Anabella De-Graft Stephen of Ontario, PRO. The two day program was also used to install the Mfantsefu ahenfo (chiefs) of Colorado. Nana Kojo Ewudzi-Acquah (I), also known in private life as Mr. Henry Ewudzi-Acquah was installed as the Mfantsefuhen of Colorado. In attendance was the Mfantsefuhema Nana Esi Foriwa, known in private life as Mrs. Catherine Authur-Monney accompanied by her assistant Nana Efua Asieduwa (Mrs. Angela Lartson). The new chief and all his sub-chiefs swore allegiance to the Omanhen of Oguaa traditional area Osabarimba Kwesi Atta (II). In attendance to grace the occasion was Nana Kobina Korantsen (I), Mfantsefuhen of Chicago and Nana Efua Dansoa, the Mfantsefuhema of Chicago. The occasion was also witnessed by the Asantefuo hene, Nana Wiafe Anane and Asantefuo henemaa: Nana Serwaa Ampem as well as the Ga Mantse of Colorado, Nii Kwaku Amartey and Ga Manye of Colorado, Na Kalebi Odofu. Funds were raised at the function to ship some medical equipment to some local communities in Ghana. Business Meeting of Delegates PART 1, Saturday, July 11, 2010 The afternoon session commenced with a short prayer by Mrs. Esther Mensa-Wood. During this session, affiliate reports were presented. The Health Committee also presented a report. The discussion of the four components of

3 the MANA vision was initiated during the session. The components of the vision presented by Mr. Kobina Lartson included a) intentional unification b) Education c) business and d) health. Unfortunately, however due to lack of time the only component discussed was health. Health committee report The Health Committee s report was presented by Mr. Ekow Amonoo. This report provided the core elements of weeks of deliberations by the Health Committee that was charged to chart the course for MANA projects that benefit the health sector in the Central and Western Regions of Ghana. It is also provided the framework within which such projects would be guided. Mr. Ekow Amonoo thanked all members of the committee for cooperating with him and working hard to bring this report to the congress. He reported that the committee recommended the zoning of the two regions for equitable distribution of whatever resources that became available to MANA. He mentioned that the basic problem the committee encountered was getting accurate data. However, with the help of Mr. Lartson, the committee was able to identify an extensive list of hospitals in the two Regions on Wikipedia. A discussion of health projects ensued. Discussion of MANA s Vision Health It was accepted in principle that MANA will not compete with its affiliates in embarking on projects. MANA will therefore assume a coordinating role in projects. Thus MANA may embark on broad projects, which affiliates will take on. As to the question of the difficulty of ensuring that hospital equipment, hospital supplies and general materials donated reach and stay at their intended destinations, the following suggestions were accepted a) the assistance of retired dedicated members of MANA affiliates should be sought b) advantage should be taken of responsible political leaders. While the direct use of MANA projects by such leaders to further their political aspirations is not acceptable it was well noted that there is an indirect benefit for both MANA and such a leader c) establishment of a permanent secretariat of MANA in Ghana d) establish partnerships with organizations in the USA and Ghana who will support MANA s cause. Former ambassador Koby Koomson thanked MANA for the strong leadership it has taken to bring all Fantes in the Diaspora together. He said MANA could be a political think tank if the organization is able to strike the right chords. He educated the group on a strategy, which he referred to as the Jesse Jackson Principle. He said by adopting this concept MANA could be able to accomplish so many tasks for Fantes. He elaborated on this concept, which employs guilt and shame. He mentioned that during his ambassadorship in

4 Washington, DC, he organized a business forum, for Ghanaian Medical doctors in the USA. He said a large proportion of this group is Fante. However, unfortunately, only few are actively engaged in missions and activities involving the Fantis in the diaspora. He promised that he could make available to MANA the names of Ghanaian doctors who could partner with MANA in our hospital/healthcare projects as well as other important ventures in Ghana. Former ambassador Koomson charged that before the end of this conference, members should pass a resolution to move our organization forward. He said that concrete and achievable projects must be initiated by MANA. The five elements he elaborated were: The adoption of the Jesse Jackson Strategy/Principle as our core modus operandi, a permanent MANA Secretariat in Ghana, the use of politician to MANA s advantage, the use of retired members of local Fante associations who are in Ghana, and build relationships with organization that will support MANA s efforts e.g. military missions, doctors without border, project cure, etc. The measures were all deliberated upon by the delegates. He promised that within six months time, he would make available all contacts at his disposal so that the executives could use as a resource to initiate all the activities planned. Parts 2, Sunday July 11, 2010 Mr. Lartson addressed the delegates on late Sunday afternoon during the special emu-tuo session. The agenda included: Election of new executives and appointment of members to the Council of Elders. Nana Kobina Koranteng (I) suggested maintaining the current executives by universal acclamation. He was supported by Mr. Francis Brown. However, Mr. Kobina Lartson stated that first, at formation members agreed that MANA was not about any one person and hence put measures in place to ensure that there is continuity in MANA s projects: rotation of presidency, the need for a Council of Elders, etc. Second he did not see to the founding of MANA because he wanted to be President and wanted to prove that to certain people. He therefore felt the need to elect a new president. Mr. Ekow Amonoo cautioned delegates not to deviate from current arrangements. Ebusuapanyin John Kofie of Chicago advocated that MANA is a new organization and therefore very fragile so the leaders who have nurtured the organization to this level should be mandated for the next two years during which time the organization must have established a firm foundation. Mr. Joe Yankah stated that the current arrangement could be slightly modified so that the congress host city fills the presidency. By this assertion therefore Colorado, the host state must provide leadership for the next two years. Ebusuapanyin John Kofie seconded this motion. Delegates, by a universal acclamation

5 adopted this resolution. Since Mr. Joseph Yankah was both the interim PRO and Treasurer he had to choose one of the two responsibilities. He offered to be the Treasurer. Going by MANA s constitutional arrangement of electing the Vice President from the bottom of the alphabetical membership list, Mr. Francis Brown of Toronto automatically became the Vice President. Mr. Francis Brown nominated Ms. Arabella Degraft-Stephen of Toronto to be the PRO. His nomination was seconded by Mr. Jojo Mensa-Wood of California. She was unanimously chosen to be the PRO. The current executives for MANA are therefore as follows: Mr. Kobina Lartson of Denver (Colorado): President, Mr. Francis Brown of Ontario: Vice President, Mr. Richard Appoh of Chicago (Illinois): Secretary, Mr. Joseph Yankah of Atlanta (Georgia): Financial Secretary/Treasurer, Ms. Arabella Degraft Stephen of Toronto (Ontario): PRO. As far as constituting the Council of Elders Ambassador Koomson suggested that rather than picking names for this council that day, members should look within the entire North American community to see if we could get Fantis who have distinguished themselves in their communities to take this role. He also said such people should be well financially to assist MANA. Mr. Yankah proposed picking up some names here and the rest later. This suggestion was also seconded by Mr. Mensa-Wood. Ambassador Koomson also used this forum to address MANA concerning the Constitutional Review process currently going on in Ghana. He said MANA, being the official mouthpiece of all Fantis in North America could play an active role in influencing the political directions of the country by presenting a strong one voice in this Constitutional Review process. Mr. Joe Yankah, presented a check of $ on behave of MANA to the Lartson family for winning the prize for the MANA Logo Contest, which was entered by only two participating families. Ebusuapanyin John Kofie thanked Dr. DeSouza and Ruth DeSouza for hosting the Sunday Special Informal session. The session formally closed at 4.00 p.m. MT, ending the business session of the MANA 2010 Delegates Conference in Denver, Colorado. The next convention would be held in California during the summer of Prepared by Mr. Richard Appoh Mr. Kobina Lartson August 5 th 2010

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