OKUAPEMMAN ASSOCIATION OF USA & CANADA (OKUSACA) 35TH ANNUAL ODWIRA/OHUM FESTIVAL & FUNDRAISING EVENT IN HOUSTON, TEXAS.

The Okuapemman Association of USA and Canada (OKUSACA) proudly announce the 37th Anniversary this year (2022) of the founding of the Association, and the 35th Celebration of the North American version of the Akuapem/Asuogya Odwira/Ohum Festival and Fundraising Event during the Labor Day Weekend from Friday, September 2, 2022 through Monday, September 5, 2022. This year’s celebration, hosted by our local Houston Chapter, will culminate in a Cultural Extravaganza at the Marriott Houston Westchase Hotel, 2900 Briarpark Drive, Houston, TX on Saturday, September 3, 2022.

A capacity crowd of about 500 participants from Ghana, Canada, Europe and several Cities in the United States are expected. The theme for this year’s special celebration is “MENTAL HEALTH DURING AND AFTER THE PANDEMIC”, chosen appropriately to help us cope with challenges posed by COVID-19 and ways to thrive despite its existence.

Founded in 1985, OKUSACA is the umbrella Organization of the various non-profit charitable Okuapemman Chapters incorporated in the United States of America and Canada by and for the people of Akuapem, Akwamu, Anum and Boso (popularly known as Asuogya)descent, dedicated to foster close social, cultural and economic inter-relationships between its members and host communities in which we live here in North America, and also, organize activities aimed at improving the quality of lives of the people living in the Akuapem and Asuogyaman areas in particular, and Ghana in general. We do this by organizing activities and holding events that are aimed at raising funds and soliciting donations in-kind, which we then use to initiate and support such programs.

On behalf of the National Secretariat, I have the honor and pleasure to extend invitation to the general public, especially, Akuapemfo and Asuogyamanfo domiciled in the USA and Canada to join us in this year’s celebration to grace the occasion and support our Fundraising appeal which is to help provide personal hygiene kits for 500 residents of 3 Psychiatric hospitals in Accra, Ankaful and Pantang, Ghana.

In view of this, OKUSACA is inviting donations from philanthropic persons and Organizations to assist our efforts to provide improved living conditions for our folks back home. Please, visit our Website at www.okusaca.com to donate generously towards this appeal. OKUSACA is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization (U.S. Federal Tax ID # 37-1461531), so any contribution/donation made towards our fund-raising effort will be fully tax-deductible.

The Executives of the local Houston, Texas Chapter of the Association have made a special arrangement for a tour of NASA Johnson Space Center as a special attraction fin this year’s celebration package.

To demonstrate our dedication to the youth, the National Council, which serves as the supreme legislative body of the Association, will elect a Youth and Young Adult Coordinator who will work with the National Secretariat to establish guidelines for youth participation in OKUSACA programs. There will be a brainstorm session led by the youth to seek innovative ways of fostering youth education on cultural issues and for the youth to educate the general OKUSACA membership on how to positively interact with their generation.

The epic of the entire weekend celebration will be the electrifying Saturday night event at the Ballroom of The Marriott Houston Westchase Hotel to showcase the cultural extravaganza of Odwira / Ohum festival of the people of Akuapem / Asuogya descent amid the cultural pomp and pageantry to be witnessed by the capacity crowd of over five hundred revelers, gorgeously dressed OKUSACA ladies and gentlemen, resplendent Traditional Ghanaian Chiefs, Queens and linguists, adorned with their full regalia, parading to the melody of Fontomfrom drumming and dancing, reminiscent of a typical Akuapem / Asuogya Durbar. It will be an amazing sight in a life-time experience befitting an anniversary celebration.

The keynote speaker will be Dr. Corey Finch, a medical doctor from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Other dignitaries have been invited as Guests of Honor, including Ghana’s Ambassador to the US, Her Excellency Hajia Alima Mahama, and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Hon. Shirley Ayokor Botchwey.

I, also, wish to inform our well-wishers, of the expected attendance of the Okuapehene Oseadeeyo Kwasi Akuffo III, and Akwamumanhene Odeneho Kwafo Akoto III to showcase Akuapem/Asuogya Culture to the world. Also invited to join the celebration is a delegation of Ghana Government representatives in the persons of Hon. Dan Botwe, Member of Parliament (MP) for Okere Constituency and Minister of Local Government and Rural Decentralization, Hon. Nana Ama Asiamah Dokua, MP for Akuapem North and Deputy Minister of Trade and Industrialization, Hon. O.B. Amoah, MP for Akuapem South and Deputy Minister of Local Government, Hon. Annor Dompreh, MP for Nsawam Adoagyiri, Hon. Teddy Safori Addi, MP for Ayensuano Constituency, and Dennis Edward Aboagye, Director for Local Government, Decentralization and Rural Development at the Office of the President

A special OKUSACA non-denominational Thanksgiving and Communion Service will be held on Sunday morning at the Hotel’s Pastoral Room and will be jointly-officiated by Rev Aye-Addo, Rev. Steve Koranteng Snr., and various pastors within OKUSACA and the Houston Community. Immediately thereafter, shuttle buses, vans and cars will transport all OKUSACA guests and delegates to the nearby plush Harris County Park for a grand family picnic to round-off a spectacular weekend of fun and pleasure before dispersal of OKUSACA 35th Anniversary celebrants from far and near. There will be plenty of assorted varieties of Ghanaian and Caribbean foods, a generously open bar of chilled beverages, and infectious free-for-all dancing to Ghanaian and foreign music. Benji Addo National Secretary, OKUSACA