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Diasporia News of Sunday, 7 August 2011

Source: Tsi-Tsi Mashinini, UHURU TIMES

Ghanaian Festivals Abroad Take Dramatic Turns

Ghanaian Festivals abroad have taken dramatic turns, as Homowo-USA becomes African-American Calender to feed the hungry and the poor; Odwira - USA Festival becomes African-American Special "Thanks-Giving" Day and also, a day of Community Purification of defilement; Adae -USA becomes African-American Calender to "Re-Connect to Mother Africa", and Akwasidae - USA, becomes African-American Calender to offer Special Prayers to the entire Community and Nation, on the last Sunday of every Month, said the Executive Director of African-Americans / Africans Cultural Festivals' Association.

Former Ghanaian-American Los Angeles Mayoral Candidate, "Osagyefo Dr" Kwame Appiah Boateng, "Kwame Mayor", (who is lobbying African-American Community and Political leaders to adopt Homowo, Odwira and Adae Festivals as part of African-American Cultural Festivals in USA), has said that Homowo Festival should be an occasion to feed the World's hungry and poor People.

"Homowo-USA Festival should be a day for all American People, regardless of race and color, to feed the hungry and donate items to the poor, explained the Pro-American and Pan-Africanist Politician, dubbed "America's Mandela".

"Odwira-USA Festival should become the "Thanks-Giving Day" (on African-Americans Calender) --- and a day for "Community Purification" of Neighborhoods of defilement and a period of Peace and Exchange of Gifts".

"Adae-USA Festival should become the day for African-Americans to (re-connect to Africa, the Motherland).

"Akwasidae-USA Festival, or the "Grand Adae Festival", which will be celebrated on the last Sunday of every Month at every Church or every African-American Church in USA, should be (a day set aside to pray for the entire Community and Neighborhoods, and to pray for the entire Nation), explained the Executive Director of African-Americans / African Cultural Festival.

According to the Festival Organizers, (African-American / African Market Festivals), will be celebrated alongside the Odwira, Adae and Homowo Festivals, every year.

Pleading to Ghanaians around the World to put partisan Politics aside, for the Supreme interest of the Nation, the leader of Ghanaians Abroad Coalition (GAC) --- "Osagyefo Dr" Kwame Appiah Boateng, "Kwame Mayor", noted that the increasing celebration of Ghanaian festivals abroad, could put the Nation on the 'International Cultural Map'.

Explaining to African-American Audience that Homowo festival is celebrated by the Ga People of Ghana, Pan-Africanist Politician, "Osagyefo Dr" Kwame Appiah Boateng, popularly known by Ghanaians around the World as "Kwame Mayor" --- Great Grandson of Asante Adonteng Puduo War Generals, whose very biological Great Grand-Fathers from Bamang, the "Twin Kente Village" of Bonwire in the Ashanti Region of Ghana, led Ashantis' Glorious wars against Colonialism and Imperialism of "Our White Brothers and Sisters" --- has publicly disclosed that African-Americans, who want to (adopt) Homowo-USA, as "Feed the Poor Festival"; Odwira-USA, as "African-Americans' Thanks-Giving and Community Purification Festival", Adae-USA as "African-Americans Re-Connection to their Ancestors' Festival", and Akwasidae-USA as Special Day to pray for the entire Community and Country", --- will join Ghanaians at a Special Homowo Festival being organized by Ga-Adangbe Association of Southern California, on September 3, 2011, at the Holiday Inn Express Hotel, Ontario, California, USA, from 6:00 PM to 1:00 AM.

Meanwhile, calling it a "Financial Bonanza" for the West African Country of Ghana, a Non-Profit Organization, Ghana-USA Chamber of Commerce, which is attracting Tourists and Investors to help in the Nation's development efforts, has publicly announced its first "Annual Pilgrimage to Ghana" project, especially, for Ghanaians in the diaspora --- and African-Americans who would like to set foot on the Land of their Ancestors, at least once in their life time.

The Politician, affectionately called "America's Mandela", added that a delegation of some Hollywood Stars, led by "Rising African-American Super-Star" --- Actor Elijah Rock of wwwElijahRock.Net and YouTube : ElijahRock / Media, who has appeared in some Movies with legendary Denzel Washington, and acted in the Movie "Here Comes the Boom", which was produced and directed by Ghanaian Beauty Queen, Ms. Gifty Adu-Darko --- and moreover, (Actor Elijah Rock), who recently acted in another Movie "Three Blind Saints" to be premiered on October 12, 2011 --- has expressed interest to connect to Africa, especially Ghana someday for film projects.

Participants of the "Annual African-Americans / Ghanaians Abroad Pilgrimige to Ghana are expected to visit such places of attraction as : Cape Coast Castle, Dubois Centre, Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum, Presidential House --- "Gold House"; National Museum, Manhyia Palace, the "Twin-Kente weaving Villages" of Bonwire and Bamang; the Village of Amaape, Accra Cultural Centre, Lake Bosomtwe, Aburi Gardens, Mole National Park, Paga Crocodile Pond, Adonteng Puduo Royal House at Bamang, Ashanti Region -- (the Historic and Mysterious Birth Place of "Kwame Mayor" --- the first Ghanaian-American to run for a public office in the history of United States of America, since America gained its Indeendence from Great Britain in 1776); Busia Beach Resort, Kakum National Park, Boti Falls, Wechiau Hippo Sanctuary, Nzulezu, Butterfly Sanctuary, Cultural Centre at "Osei-Krom"-- Kumasi, the Volta Lake, Akosombo Dam, Statutes, etc.

The Ghana-USA Chamber of Commerce is located at 65 Pine Avenue, Suite 716, Long Beach, CA 90802, USA; Telephone (+562) 489-4010

American People, especially African-Americans, have also been publicly advised to adopt the Cultural Dances of Ghanaians, such as the Cultural Dances of the Northern People of Ghana, Volta Region such as Agbadza Cultural Dance and Akan / Asante Adowa Cultural Dance to exercise the Body, Soul and Mind, said "Osagyefo Dr" Kwame Mayor.

"Homowo Festival, which originated from the Ga People of Ghana), kicks-off from August 16, 2011, to September 4, 2011", the Pan-Africanist Politician noted.

"Also, the new African-American Odwira Festival --- "Community Purification", (which originated from the Akan People of Ghana, and celebrated especially by Akropong-Akuapems), kicks-off September 24 to October 2, 2011".

"Finally, the new African-American Adae Festival --- ("African-Americans' Commitment to the Creator, God Almighty, and Re-Connecting to Mother Africa"), which originated from the Akan People of Ghana, and celebrated especially by Ashantis, in a Grand style as "Akwasidae", that is, (Sunday's Adae Festival) --- every six weeks, kicks-off January 16 to February 5, 2012, in Los Angeles, California, at the Famous Leimert. Park, on Crenshaw and 43rd Street", the Patriotic Politician said.

In the [Akan] tradition, every Male Child born on Saturday is called Kwame, and Omnipotent God or God Almighty is referred to as "Otweaduapon Kwame".

Organizers explained (further), that African-Americans, Caribbeans and other Blacks in the Diaspora will celebrate the three of Ghana's popular Homowo, Odwira and Adae Festivals --- (annually), across USA, in order to purify Communities and Society of defilement; pray ad fast for Community and Country, make peace in the family and neighborhoods, invite friends, family and neighbours for dinner, re-connect to "Mother Africa", recognize African-American Community, Political, Civil Rights and Religious leaders, as well as Celebreties, Achievers and Role Models.

(Cultural Performances and Dancing; Drumming, Fashion Shows, African-American and African Music and Movies, and African / African-American Markets will highlight the annual celebration of the three Festivals, across USA.).

Native American Chiefs, Elders and their People are expected to participate in the annual African-American / African Festivals, in their Rich Traditional Regalia, (as a matter of "Cultural Diplomacy"), and there will be African-American / African Cultural Native Dance Competition every year, when the festivals are celebrated.

In what could easily put Ghana's Cultural Heritage on the "Cultural Map" of United States of America and the International Community, which could attract probably, tens of thousands of Tourists to visit Ghana --- former Ghanaian-American Los Angeles Mayoral Candidate, "Osagyefo Dr" Kwame Appiah Boateng, popularly known as "Kwame Mayor", a "People's Politician and People's Cultural Ambassador" in his own right, has publicly invited the Kings and Queen-Mothers of Ashantis, Gas, Akuapems and Akyems, and other Ghanaian Kings and Queen-Mothers throughout the Country : Northern Region, Volta Region, Brong- Ahafo Region, Upper-East, Upper-West Regions, Eastern Region, Western Region, Central Region, etc, etc, to ride in Palanquins in their regalia, amid pomp and pageantry to the cheers of American People through the principal streetrs of USA --- as African-Americans / Africans and other Blacks in the Diaspora, prepare to celebrate three of Ghana's popular Festivals : Homowo, Odwira and Adae, in the United States of America.

For the purpose of full explanation, Odwira-USA Festival purifies African-American Communities; entire Society and Nation of defilement -- (a period when no crime is to be committed anywhere, especially in the Neighborhoods --- else the gods would be angry !!!), and Adae-USA Festival is a period for African-Americans to dedicate themselves to the Creator, God Almighty, and re-connect themselves to their Roots --- "Mother Africa".

Crime rates in the Nation, especially in the Neighborhoods are expected to drop dramatically during the celebrations of the Homowo-USA, Odwira-USA, and Adae-USA Festivals, since (No) Crime should be committed anywhere in the Country, especially in the Neighborhoods --- else the gods will become angry !!!, the organizers said.

U.S. President Barack Obama and First Lady, Michelle Obama, the Mayor of the "City of Angeles" --- City of Los Angeles, the Governor of California, California Senators, Congressman and Women, State Assembly Members, Members of Congressional Black Caucus, NAACP, ACLU; Political, Community and Religious Leaders and the Nation's News Media such as Los Angeles Times, Sentinel, LA Watts Times, etc, etc, have all been invited to attend the first African-American / African Homowo, Odwira and Adae Festivals.

Also, Ghana's President, His Excellency John Evans Atta Mills and his wife, First Lady Naadu Mills; Ghana's Ambassador to United States of America, His Excellency, Ohene Agyekum and other Government Officials such as Ghana's Ministers and Deputy Ministers of the Ministries of Tourism, Information, Trade, Education, Energy, Local Government, Foreign Affairs, Chieftaincy as well as members of Ghana's News Media and Online News Media, etc, etc, have all been publicly invited to attend the display of Ghana's Cultural Festivals in USA.

Local Ghanaian and other African "Community Chiefs and Queens-Mothers", have also been publicly invited to participate in all the African-American / African Cultural Festivals, to display the richness of their Traditional Regalia, amid riding in Palanquins through the principal streets of USA, to showcase Africa's Culture and Rich Heritage !!!.

(The highlights of the festivals include : Parade of African-American and African installed or elected Kings / Paramount Chiefs, Divisional Chiefs; Queens and Queen-Mothers through the Principal Streets of USA; Cultural Performances and Dancing; Drumming, Church Services to thank God Almighty for Peace, Protection and Prosperity; Pouring of Libation to Ancestors, Ancestral African gods who served as Intermediaries or Medium to God Almighty; Pouring of Libation to thank and Preserve "Mother Earth", and Pouring of Libation for People who passed away in the Community; Display of Fashion Shows; Screening of African-American / African Movies, Playing of African-American and Indigenous African Music, and Purchases of Clothes, especially, Traditional African Clothes such as Kente, Kente Mufflers for Kindergarten, Primary, Middle, High School, College and University Graduates; Purchasing of African-American and African Products such as Jewels, Beads, Bangles, Lotion, Soap, and other items at special ("African-American / African Festival Markets"). "Osagyefo Dr" Kwame Appiah Boateng, "Kwame Mayor" hinted that there will be fund-raising at the festivals, to establish the first "Charter Boarding Schools" in USA and Ghana to instil Family Values, train Future Leaders, Scientists, Astranauts, Engineers, Doctors, Nurses, Lawyers, Artists, etc, etc --- explaining that his (Model Charter Boarding Schools) could reduce crime and instill discipline.

The Charter Boarding Schools would have Special facilities for Drug Rehabilitation and Counseling.

Fund-raising for Kwame Mayor's "African / African-Americans Skills Center" will offer Vocational, Technical and Functional Skills and Appretenship to African and African-American Youth to reduce un-employment, said the former Volunteer and Precinct Captain for "Obama for America's" 2008 Campaign, who has publicly invited President Barack Obama and First Lady, Mrs. Michelle Obama to the African-American / African Cultural Festivals.

The new African-American Cultural Festivals, which are to be celebrated annually, could once again, vernments in USA, and the African Nation of Ghana --- in terms of revenue generation through Tourism and Business / Investment promotion, according to organizers.

Former Ghanaian-American Los Angeles Mayoral Candidate and (aspiring) Presidential Candidate in Ghana --- "Osagyefo Dr" Kwame Appiah Boateng, popularly known by Ghanaians around the World as "Kwame Mayor", (a Pro-American Civil Rights Leader in his own right; Democracy Activist and a Pan-Africanist Politician), publicly introduced the three of Ghana's popular Akan Festivals --- (Odwira and Adae), and Ga Festival --- (Homowo), to African-Americans Communities (across USA), or on a National level.

The events have previously been celebrated privately, and / or publicly in certain parts of USA --- but (not) at the National level.

"Osagyefo Dr" Kwame Appiah Boateng, "Kwame Mayor", the leader of yet to be launched Uhuru People's Party, (UPP), has amoung its agenda to : achieve total Re-Unification of African-Americans, Caribbeans and other Blacks in the Diaspora --- with Africans in the Continent of Africa; acquire Dual-Citizens for African-Americans and other Blacks in the Diaspora in Africa; introduce Bi-Lingual African Languages, such as Asante (Twi) ---(one of the World's easiest Languages to learn, according to Linguists); Swahili, Yoruba, Ibo and Hausa, etc, etc, in American Public Schools --- (as the Cultural Right of African-Americans).

Uhuru People's Party (UPP) also seeks to lobby for African-Americans, Caribbeans and other Blacks in the Diaspora to run for public offices in Africa, especially in the West African Country of Ghana and promote Humane and Democratic Free Market system in Africa, especially, Ghana as an "Engine of Growth and Development".

The Great Politician, affectionately called "America's Mandela", publicly appealed for funds and technical assistance to establish his "Uhuru People's Party" in Ghana to champion "Common Interests for the sake of developing Mother Africa". The Ghana's Presidential Hopeful, "Osagyefo Dr" Kwame Appiah Boateng, "Kwame Mayor", may enter Guiness Book of Records as the first person to introduce the celebrations of Ghana's popular Odwira, Adae and Homowo Festivals to African-American Communities in USA. The first African-American (Homowo -USA) Festival, which is an (African-American version of Thanks-Giving !!!), will be held on Tuesday, August 16, 2011 to Sunday, September 4, 2011, at Leimert Park --- (Leimert Park Village) --- Crenshaw Blvd, and 43rd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90008).

Also, the first African-American (Odwira-USA) Festival in USA will be held at Leimert Park in Los Angeles, California, on Saturday, September 24, 2011 to Sunday, October 2, 2011 Furthermore, the first African-American (Adae-USA) Festival will be held at the same venue, Leimert Park, on Monday, January 16, 2012 to Sunday, January 29, 2012. (Attendance is free to the public !!!).

Vendors are expected to call (+562) 489-4010 or email: KwameMayor@Yahoo.Com and make reservations, according to the Founder and Executive Director.

The highlights of the Odwira Festival are as follows :

Performing good deeds to Neighbours and everybody in the Community --- (regardless of race and color) : Family Members, Friends, Neighbors, Acquantances, etc; Praying for forgiveness of our sins, Playing Music; Cultural Display of Community Chiefs / Kings and Queens --- preferably, in Palanquins, Cultural Drumming and Dancing, Joint African-American / African Market Festivals, Trade Shows, Beauty Contests, Merry-Making, Exchange of Gifts, and inviting People to share meals of Fried Chicken; etc, etc

No Crime should be committed anywhere, especially in the Neighborhoods during the Homowo-USA, Odwira-USA and Adae-USA Festivals --- else the gods will be angry !!!, warned the Organizers of the Sacred Festivals, according to the organizers of the Odwira, Adae and Homowo Festivals.

* Source : Uhuru Times

Email: UhuruTimes@Yahoo.Com

(News Signed for Release) : "Osagyefo Dr" Kwame Appiah Boateng, "Kwame Mayor" Telephone (+562) 489-4010 --- USA Politician's Private Email: KwameMayor@Yahoo.Com