Diaspora Delegation Of HACSA Meets Up With Asantehemaa

A diaspora delegation of the Heritage And Cultural Society Of Africa (HACSA) Foundation has paid a courtesy call on the Asantehemaa at the Manhyia Palace on Thursday, July 28, 2022.

The delegation was led by the Founding President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Johanna Svanikier.

Among the delegation were the First Lady of Turks and Caicos Islands, Delthia Russell Misick; the former Deputy Prime Minister of Turks and Caicos Islands, Lillian Boyce; and the President and editor-in-chief of The Sun Newspaper in Turks and Caicos Islands, Hayden Boyce.

Apart from Turks and Caicos Islands, the delegation also included people from the United States of America (USA), Zimbabwe, France, Nigeria, Canada, Spain, and the United Kingdom (UK).

The delegation was received at the Manhyia Palace by Asante Mamponghemaa Nana Agyakomaa Difie II, in the stead of the Asantehemaa Nana Konadu Yiadom III.

Introduction Of Members Of The Delegation
Among the delegation was a Ghanaian-born Frenchman by name Enock Effah.

Introducing him to the Asante Mamponghemaa, Johanna said he was taken to France at a tender age and has grown to become a successful boxer overseas.

“We have a son of Asanteman whose name is Enoch Effah. He was taken to France as a child and became a 3-time boxing champion. He is now a French citizen and an Asante.”

The boxer presented his won-boxing belt to the council of traditional leaders at the Manhyia Palace.

One after the other, members of the delegation introduced themselves to the queen mother with some tracing their roots to the Asante Kingdom. Interestingly, some could speak the Twi language of the Asantes.

They also expressed their gratitude for the warm reception.

“This is a lifetime experience, a memorable experience. We feel the family and we feel that we are at home”, Boyce of The Sun Newspaper in Turks and Caicos Islands said.

Presentation Of Gifts
Aside from the gift presented to the palace by the group, some members of the diaspora HACSA team presented their personal gifts to the Asantehemaa.

The gifts included cultural books, a scarf, ruby and gemstones.

In presenting them, each narrated the significance of the gifts and traced them to the Asante culture.

On behalf of Turks and Caicos Islands, First Lady Delthia Russell Misick also presented some money to the Asantehemaa.

“Your Royal Highness, I greet you from the Turks and Caicos Island. On behalf of my husband Hon Russell Misick, the Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands, I present this gift to you and to show appreciation for being here and to meet with us today”, she said.

Asantehemaa’s Remarks
Nana Agyakoma Difie II, representing the Asantehemaa welcomed the delegation and briefed them about the Asante kingdom.

“On behalf of Nana Konadu Yiadom III, I welcome all of you to the kingdom. Enjoy yourself, take part in it, and experience our good culture and our good food. We hope you visit us again.

“…I was told you visited our museum. As you can see, Asanteman is a very big tribe. It comprises 66 paramountcy not only in the Ashanti region but the Ahafo region, parts of Bono East and Bono Regions, parts of Oti region and part of the Eastern region.”

Conferment of Asante Ethnicity
The members of the delegation were conferred with the Asante ethnicity by the Asante Mamponghemaa.

“To everybody, this is your home. So today, as you are here, we all welcome you to this Kingdom and make sure you are all part of the Kingdom. All those of you who came from different parts of the world, you are all Asantes today. By the power vested in me by Her Royal Majesty, Nana Konadu Yiadom, I confer you Asante people”, Nana Agyakoma Difie declared.

In reaction to this, the President of HACSA said the conferment is accepted.

About the Foundation
Heritage And Cultural Society Of Africa is an NGO with the mission to preserve promote and celebrate African heritage and culture to elevate, unify and create opportunities for socio-economic progress in communities in Africa and the diaspora and to advance diversity, inclusion and equity.

Source: opemsuo.com/Hajara Fuseini