September 3 – 4, 2016 will, indeed, be forever remembered! The Council of Brong-Ahafo Associations of North America (COBAANA) will meet in Worcester, MA in the United States of America for the 7th Annual Convention. The venue is the Conference Center of Southbridge Hotel, 14 Mechanic Street, Southbridge, MA 01550.
COBAANA consists of the ten Brong-Ahafo Associations located in several cities throughout the USA and Canada. It was formed to coordinate, among others, the socio-economic efforts and the general welfare of member Associations, and aid to Ghana, particularly to the Brong Ahafo Region.
The Guest of Honor for COBAANA-2016 will be Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Nana Agyemang Badu II, Omanhene of Dormaa Traditional Area in Ghana. In attendance also will be Honorable Eric Opoku, Brong Ahafo Regional Minister; Nana Ansah Adu Baah, Omanhene of Yamfo; Nana Serwaa Nyarko, Queenmother of Duayaw Nkwanta; Nana Adwoa Gyamena Serwaa II, Queenmother of Bechem, and Nana Yeboah Pene II, Queenmother of Chiraa.
The theme of COBAANA-2016 will be a continuation from last year’s Convention held in Toronto, Canada: “Changing Lives through Education.” The choice to repeat last year’s theme was inspired by the well reception from last year and the acknowledgement that more needs to be done on this critical topic.
The weekend’s events will start with a dinner, dance, and fundraiser. Proceeds from the fundraiser will go towards COBAANA’s educational project to provide a four-classroom block for the Junior High School at Ayakomaso, a small town located on the Sunyani-Berekum Road. A $60.00 fee has been recommended for the dinner and dance event.
President Henrietta Agyei of the Columbus Chapter, the current title holder of the Miss COBAANA Crown is determined to keep it. Speaking to this reporter, Ms. Agyei said that she has made a passionate appeal to her local association members to travel with her to Worcester in great numbers and has received a very favorable response. “I love our Association in Columbus, Ohio. We are determined to always make Columbus the envy of COBAANA. The Crown shall return, I promise!” she assured.
For those who cannot make the evening’s dinner, the spectacular COBAANA picnic will be held on Sunday, September 4, from 11:00 A. M. until 7:00 P.M. at the Greenhill Park in Worcester, MA. It is open to the public and free of charge to all.
The Chairman of COBAANA-2016 Planning Committee, Mr. Padmore Amankwah Gyau of Worcester, has assured participants of a very successful event this year. The former Assistant Secretary of COBAANA said: “COBAANA’s Conventions get better and better each year. Toronto 2015 was great, but Worcester 2016 will be greater.” Mr. Jones Yeboah, Chairman of the Brong Ahafo Association of Worcester has graciously appealed to residents in and around Worcester to come and support a noble cause: “Our children in Ghana want to be educated, but not under trees. We don’t need a million dollars to help others; you do with what you can, that is the definition of sacrifice,” he opined.
For further information on COBAANA-2016, please contact Mr. Jones Yeboah (Chairman of Worcester Chapter) at 1-508-615-3768, and Mr. Padmore Amankwah Gyau (Planning Committee Chairman) at 508-762-7044.