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Groundbreaking for the Nkabom Centre
April 13, 2008
The groundbreaking for The Nkabom Centre for Skills Training and Formal Education and launching of Project OKURASE took place on March 26, 2008 on the land in Okurase, Ghana in the West Akyem Municipal of the Eastern Region of Ghana. The day was hosted by:
Honourable Kwabena Sintim-Aboagye (the Municipal Chief Executive of the West Akyem District)
Baffour Ampofo III (Odikro and Head of Okurase Village)
Samuel Nkrumah Yeboah - President and Co-Director (from Ghana)
Dr. Cynthia Cupit Swenson - Co-Director (from America)
Nana Ama Yeboah - Project Coordinator (from Ghana)
Appiah Yeboah - Project Assistant (from Ghana)
Ida S. Taylor - President of Gethsemani Circle of Friends (from America)
Iris Poole - Board member of Gethsemani Circle of Friends (from America)
Jennifer Shambrook - from the Medical University of South Carolina (from America)
Rhion Magee - from Dreamworks Film Company in Los Angeles (from America)
The event was attended by the Deputy Minister for Women and Children Affairs, Hon. Daniel Dugan, the Minister for Chieftancy and Culture, Hon. Samson Kweku Boafo, The West Akyem Municipal Chief Executive, Hon Kwabena Sintim-Aboagye, the Atebubu-Amanten District Chief Executive, Hon. Cassius Osei-Poku ,the Odikro of Okurase, all Chiefs from surrounding villages, Muslim leaders, Departmental staff and heads of the West Akyem Municipal Assembly including the Directors of Education and Health. Mr. Ataa Lartey, the Executive Director of the Street Children's Academy in Accra brought 86 children to the event. A cross section of the media also attended, including the GTV-Ghana Broadcasting Cooperation, TV3, TV Africa, Ghana News Agency, Joy FM, Peace FM, CITI FM, The Daily Searchlight, Oman FM, The Times, The Daily Guide, and Information.
Speeches were delivered by the Minister of Chieftancy and Culture, the Deputy Minister for Women and Children Affairs, the West Akyem Municipal Chief Executive, Dr. Cynthia Cupit Swenson, and Samuel Nkrumah Yeboah.
The day started with a cleanup exercise and education on environmental cleanliness and HIV/AIDS. To conduct the education sessions a brass band gathered crowds in different areas of the village and impromptu talks were given to the crowd followed by music and dance. After the cleanup was complete, a football (soccer) match was held between Okurase 11 and a team from another village called Adieso 11. The match was won by the Adeiso 11 who was presented a handcarved trophy that looked similar to that for the Africa Cup. Certificates were presented by Ida Taylor and Iris Poole at the groundbreaking ceremony to all members of the participating teams.
After the football match, the groundbreaking began. Approximately 300-400 people were expected but the crowd was closer to 2000. A great show of support for the project and the Centre was given by all-children and adults.
The Municipal Chief Executive, Hon. Sintim-Aboagye was presented with a boomerang painted by indigenous artists in Australia, symbolic of good things coming back to people who send out good things. This piece of indigenous art was brought to Africa from Australia by Dr. Swenson. The Odikro of Okurase was presented with a framed photo of herself (framed by Dr. Swenson) and a handcrafted dreamcatcher made by Jennifer Shambrook and blessed by chiefs of Jennifer's Native American Indian tribe. The dreamcatcher contained shells from South Carolina and Australia and feathers from Alabama and was symbolic of holding in good thoughts and filtering out difficult thoughts. A leather bracelet with the words Nkabom (meaning coming together) was presented to the Chief of Asamankese. This bracelet was made by a designer in Hollywood, California and brought to the Chief by Rhion Magee.
Cultural performances were given by Nkabom Music and Dance Ensemble and the Street Children's Academy. Nkabom Artist and Craftspeople exhibited their handcrafted items including kente cane furniture, paintings, batik, and handcrafted clothing.
The day was highly successful and exemplified a great launching of Project OKURASE in Ghana.
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