Council Of
Bono & Ahafo
Associations Of
North America
(COBAANA)
SPECIAL GUESTS OF HONOR
Nana Bennett Akantoa
Deputy C.E.O.
Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund
Chairman’s Speech at 2025 Cobaana Conference, Denver (Nana Bennett Akantoa)
Introduction
Osagyefo Oseadeyo Dr Agyemang Badu II - Dormaa Manhene and President of the Bono Regional House of Chiefs ,
Nana Odeneho Dr. Afram Brimpong III - Suma Manhene and Council of State Member, Nananom, Our Honorable Members of Parliament, Distinguished ladies and gentlemen , Region Chairman of our Great NDC party, Cobaana Executives ,
esteemed elders, members of the Ghanaian community in North America, friends of Ghana, and cherished guests, good evening.
It is with deep humility and gratitude that I accept the honor to serve as chairman of this year’s Cobaana Conference
It is a profound honor also to stand before you tonight as your Chairman of this year’s Conference. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the organizers for entrusting me with this role, and to all of you for gathering here in Denver to celebrate our heritage, our unity, and our shared aspirations.
Our Unity & Identity
This evening is more than a dinner. It is a gathering of family. Though the miles may separate us from Ghana, our hearts remain firmly anchored in the land of our birth and heritage. Whether we are here in Colorado, in Toronto, in Accra, Sunyani, Dormaa, Techiman, Goaso or in Tamale, we remain one people—bound by our culture, our values, and our pride as Ghanaians.
Contribution from the Diaspora
The Ghanaian diaspora
continues to be a powerful force in shaping both the image and the progress of our country. Through remittances, investments, skills, and knowledge, Ghanaians abroad are helping to build schools, expand businesses, and provide opportunities for the next generation. Indeed, the diaspora is not just a support system for Ghana—it is an extension of Ghana’s strength and vision for the future.
Need for Action & Inspiration
our journey however is not complete. We need to use this occasion not only to celebrate, but to commit. Commit to mentoring our youth, to lifting one another up, and to channeling our talents into ventures that transform lives both here in North America and back home in Ghana.
As we break bread tonight, let us be reminded that the true spirit of Cobaana lies in collaboration and unity. The friendships we build here, the conversations we share, and the plans we make can be the seeds of projects and initiatives that will bear fruit for generations to come.
Conclusion
So let us enjoy this evening in the warmth of community, in the richness of our culture, and in the pride of being Ghanaian. May this dinner inspire us to leave this conference with renewed energy, strengthened connections, and a deeper commitment to both our host country and our beloved Ghana.
By our gathering here in Denver we are surely affirming that though Oceans may have separated us, our hearts remain resolute and connected to Ghana our motherland. May our time here be fruitful, inspiring and memorable always.
Thank you, and may God bless Cobaana, bless the diaspora, and bless our dear nation, Ghana.
Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Dr. Agyemang Badu II
Paramount Chief - Dormaa Traditional Area and President - Bono Regional House of Chiefs.
SPECIAL GUEST OF HONOR FOR COBAANA CONVENTIONS (Life Patron)
Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Dr. Agyemang Badu II is a Ghanaian traditional ruler who is the Omanhene (or paramount chief) of the Dormaa traditional area (Dormaaman) in Ghana. He is also the President of the Bono Regional House of Chiefs; Chairman, Judicial Committee, National House of Chiefs; Member, Standing Committee, National House of Chiefs.
Known in private life as Justice Daniel Mensah, a High Court Judge, Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Dr. Agyemang-Badu II ascended the Dormaa throne after the demise of his grand uncle the late Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyemang-Badu I in 1998.
He was enstooled on June 6th, 1999.
According to the chiefs and people of the traditional area, the paramount chief has sought the overall interest, well-being and holistic development of not only the Dormaa people, but the nation in general.
His achievements span from promoting peace, education, youth development and humanitarian services.
Nana is also the founder and Life Patron of Aduana Football Club, Ghana.
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Dr. Nick Danso Adjei Abeam
Businessman & Industrialist – Ghana.
EVENT CHAIRPERSON - COBAANA 2023 HOMECOMING CONVENTION – SUNYANI, GHANA AND 2024 IN NEWARK NEW JERSEY.
Dr. Nick Danso Adjei is a renowned Ghanaian industrialist whose entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to national development have made him a leading figure in the country's business landscape.
Born in Nkoranza/Bredi, Dr. Danso Adjei showed an early aptitude for business, engaging in petty trading at just 11 years old.
After completing his basic education, Dr. Danso Adjei traveled to Spain to further his education, where he quickly established himself in the business world, rising through the ranks of Cilogar Construction and Exporting SL to become a partner in the company.
In 1992, he returned to Ghana, where he founded the Royal Nick Hotel, the largest hotel in Tema today, and established Nick & Cilogar Limited, which is now known as Royal Lighting Limited and specializes in sanitary wares, building materials, and tiles.
Dr. Danso Adjei's entrepreneurial pursuits extend beyond Ghana's borders, with his companies operating in Sierra Leone, Guinea Bissau, and Gambia, among other countries.
His business ventures include the establishment of Ghana Link Network Services Ltd, a destination inspection company that enhances trade facilitation and helped in revenue maximization for the Ghanaian government at the Tema port. He is also the founder of Nick TC-Scan Limited, the first African company to provide non-intrusive scanning of containerized cargos using state-of-the-art technology.
In addition to his business ventures, Dr. Danso Adjei is committed to giving back to society and has undertaken several corporate social responsibility projects, including the construction of a mortuary facility for St. Theresa's Hospital in Nkoranza and the establishment of an education endowment fund in the Bono East Region.
His companies have also provided financial support to hundreds of less privileged Ghanaian students and monthly financial assistance to widows in the Bono East Region, among other initiatives.
Dr. Danso Adjei's impact on Ghana's economy and society has been significant, providing jobs to Ghanaian youth and professionals through his various companies. His contributions have not gone unnoticed, with Azteca University conferring on him an Honorary Doctorate Degree Award for his hard work and immense contribution to individuals, society, and the nation as a whole, taking into consideration his creativity and innovation.
Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia
Former Vice President of Ghana.GUEST SPEAKER - COBAANA 2023 HOMECOMING CONVENTION – SUNYANI, GHANA.
Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia is a former Vice President of the Republic of Ghana and former head of Ghana's Economic Management Team. He is an economist and banker by training. He served as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Ghana between 2006 and 2009. Between 2009 and 2010 he was a visiting scholar at the Center for the Study of African Economies, Oxford University.
He also served as a resident representative for the African Development Bank in Zimbabwe in 2011-2012. He was a visiting scholar at the University of British Columbia (Canada), and a Senior Associate Member of St. Antony's College, University of Oxford. Between 2013 and 2015 Dr. Bawumia was a visiting professor of Economic Governance at Central University, Ghana.
Dr. Bawumia also served as an Assistant Professor of Economics at Hankamer School of Business, Baylor University, Texas, USA (1996- 2000). Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia holds a BSc. Economics (First Class Honors) degree from the University of Buckingham, UK, a master’s degree in development economics from Oxford University (Lincoln College), and a Ph.D. in Economics from Simon Fraser University (Canada).
He is an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Bankers (U.K). (ACIB) and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers (FCIB), Ghana. Dr . Bawumia has published several articles in refereed journals and has also published two books on Monetary Policy and Economic Development.
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Dr. George Valencia Samson PhD
President/CEO - World Medical Relief.
GUEST SPEAKER - COBAANA 2024 CONVENTION – NEWARK, NEW JERSEY.
Dr. George Valencia Samson is the President/CEO of World Medical Relief, a Southfield based non-profit charity organization founded in 1953 that sends medical equipment, supplies and medicines to the sick, poor and elderly people in our local communities and to 130 developing nations overseas.
Prior to his current position, Dr. Samson came to World Medical Relief in 1991 and became the Chief Operating Officer and Director of International Programs at World Medical Relief.
He was appointed as President/CEO in October 2009. As President he directs the monthly distribution of three million dollars ($3M) worth of donated medical supplies, equipment and medicines for overseas as well as the many local programs instituted by World Medical Relief to benefit Metro Detroit residents.
Dr. Samson holds a PhD and prior to this degree attended Angeles University Foundation in the Philippines earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Management and Associate Degree in Nursing.
Dr. Samson celebrated 32 years of service to humanity last year, 2023.
His belief is, "Success in life has nothing to do with what you gain or accomplish for yourself - It is what you do for others.
Dr. Samson’s organization has pledged a donation of Five Million Dollars (US$5M) worth of medical supplies towards COBAANA’s Dialysis and Medical Center, in Sunyani, Ghana, so far.
Her Excellency, Mrs. Lordina Mahama
Ghana’s First Lady
GUEST SPEAKER - COBAANA 2016 CONVENTION – WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS
