Ghana Community Lights Up Columbus

Ten years ago in far away Columbus, Ohio, the Asanti community of Ghana had come together in a historic reunion. The gathering of various Asanti clans in the state capital had given birth to the Asantemanko organization which last May,decided to replicate their traditional kingship back home. The result was the coronation of an Asanti ‘King’ and ‘Queen’in the US city.

They not only defer to the rulers as they would usually do back home, they submit to their supremacy on social and cultural issues involving Ghanaians in the area. The people offer themselves for adjudication whenever there was a dispute and willingly accept their decisions. The rulers on the other hand intervene on issues involving their subjects and strive to promote their welfare and well-being in the state of Ohio.

Last year marked the 10th anniversary of the establishment of that Asantemanko and the people literally lit up the city of Columbus, Ohio in celebration. The grand finale was an evening of cultural display which took place at the sprawling Crown Plaza events centre.

The event drew the cream of Asanti people in Columbus and from other cities in the USA. It was also attended by peoples from other parts of Africa. For the Nigerians who were prominent at the gathering, it was a rich interplay of culture. The reason is obvious: one of the Nigerians in the expansive hall, a Benin prince, is the proud husband of the reigning Asanti queen. Osazuwa was accompanied to the occasion by, among others by Chief Elliot Osunde and other notable personalities from Nigeria’s Benin kingdom.

Ghana President John Dramani Mahama

Decked in their colourful kente attires, the various Asanti clans filed out in groups to pay homage to the king, Nana Yaw Duah and the queen, Nana Serwah Nyarko Ebronoma I, seated on a raised dais in the corner of the expansive hall. It included the Nananom (heads of other Ghanaian communities) in Columbus, Cincinnati and New York who witnessed the event.

It was not only an evening of fun, dancing and displays, it was a day the Ghanaian community remembered home. In between the dancing and merry-making, they also raised funds for the rehabilitation of the Children’s Home in Kumasi. The President of the community in Columbus, Ohio, Mr. Paapa Yeboah told People&Politics that the fundraiser was equally significant because such gesture is a usual among Ghanaian communities in the Diaspora. He said it is one way they register their commitment to the development of their fatherland.

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