Ghanaian King Visits Worcester Photo: Africaba Media
By O.B. Stephen, TCJ Contributer – The Okyehene Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin II, who ascended the throne of the Kingdom of Akyem Abuakwa in the Eastern region of Ghana on October 4, 1999 paid a 3-weeks working visit to the United States. The mayor of the city of Worcester, Joseph M. Petty welcomed the Okyehene who was accompanied by a high level delegation which comprised of his Chief of Staff, Okyeman Council lawyer, Linguist, Okyeman council Secretary and other Chiefs of the Akyem Abuakwa traditional area.
The Okyehene who is also the Chancellor of the University College of Agriculture and Environmental Studies, Honorary Vice President for West Africa Board of Birdlife International, Member of the Advisory Council to the Prince Charles’s Rainforest Project (UK), the World Bank Global Environment Facility, and the immediate former Chairman of Ghana Environmental Protection Agency was the special guest of a durbar held in his honour by the Okyeman Association of New England
Mayor Joseph M. Petty who was grateful for Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin II visit held a meeting with the King to discuss various issues.
The Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) had their share of the King’s visit as they hosted him on the WPI campus. The Okyehene gave the keystone lecture at the WPI Environmental and Sustainability Studies annual lecture series. In the WPI Alden Hall where the lecture was scheduled, the King talked about saving the earth and protecting our environment. The King was passionate about the need to save the earth for the sake of humanity. He also addressed important issues with regard to Agriculture and poverty alleviation.
Members of the Okyehene’s entourage spoke on various media platforms including a live interview on ABR FM where they were given the opportunity to tell the Ghanaian story to the world. The Okyeman Association of New England which has majority of its members coming from the Akyem Abuakwa traditional area treated the King with royalty at the formal reception for the king as part of the durbar. The durbar was held at the Renaissance Function Hall at 1040 Southbridge Street, Worcester. Delegates who graced the occasion included Worcester City Mayor Joseph M. Petty, State Representative Dan Donahue, Former Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor Tim Murray, High profile Attorneys and respected Men of God from the Worcester Ghanaian community.
The Ghanaian culture and tradition was well displayed at the durbar. Ghanaians from every walk of life attended the durbar in their beautiful Kente cloth. People from different countries who attended the durbar spoke to the Christian Journal correspondent and expressed their admiration of the Ghanaian culture which was displayed. Without a doubt, the durbar reignited the pride Ghanaians have in their culture. It also brought joy to the lives of those who attended the function and gave them a break from the stressful life Ghanaians in the diaspora usually encounter.
