Asantes residing in Europe are invited to make a financial contribution to help fund the education of the Ghanaian youngster back home.
Asanteman Europe's president, Papa Yaw Agyei, declared during the group's launch in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, that Asanteman Europe was dedicated to giving back to society, particularly in Ghana.
The official opening event featured a traditional performance showcasing Asante history and provided a forum for networking, fund-raising, and ideal time for social gatherings.
The venue was packed to the gills with participants from 11 different European nations, including Norway, Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Belgium, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands.
Papa Agyei invited members to make financial contributions to the fundraising drive with the help of his two vice-presidents, Barima Asabre and Oppong Akosah.
Ten electric sewing machines were supplied by Nana Kota Ntiamoah on behalf of Asanteman Norway, while 100 laptop computers valued at $100,000 were given by IT specialist Dr. James Owusu.
Collaboration
According to Papa Agyei, Asanteman Europe and Village of Hope, an IT consulting company, are working together to supply laptop computers in three learning centres in the Ashanti Region as a pilot project to help the growth of education in Ghana.
According to him, the pilot project's beneficiary villages would include Kumawu, Mampong, and Offinso, which would give young people access to computer education and career prospects.
In order to train Ghanaian youngsters in computer technology, The Village of Hope and Vice-President Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia launched the "Integrated Online Learning" initiative.
According to Dr. Owusu, the initiative might also benefit from Asanteman Europe's joint efforts to bring the inauguration's concept to life.
ties with the diaspora
The creation of Asanteman Europe and its launch, according to Akwasi Awuah Ababio, Director of Diaspora Affairs at the Office of the President, Jubilee House, was in line with President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-philosophy Addo's to eradicate illiteracy.
He emphasised the philosophy, praising Nananom and the Asanteman Europe executives for their capacity to unite Ghanaians living abroad to promote the growth of their own nation, Ghana. He said that COVID-19, a worldwide epidemic, has recently discouraged investment in Ghana. He took the opportunity to implore Ghanaians living abroad to invest in Ghana without hesitation.
Education
Francis Kotia, the ambassador of Ghana to the Netherlands, praised Asanteman Europe's leadership for selecting the topic of education, noting that it was directly related to the 2017 inauguration of the Ghanaian government's Free SHS Education programme.
He recalled the part Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Agyeman Prempeh played in ensuring access to excellent and cheap education when he saw how Christian missionaries and Manhyia Palace Royals worked together to "ensure the spread of formal education beyond the Pra River into the surrounding areas."
When he established the Otumfuo Education Fund, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, he followed in the path of his forefathers, according to him. He urged Asanteman Europe to, if at all possible, collaborate closely with this fund.
As the inaugural guest of honour, Nana Safo Agyemang, the Otumfuo Brempon Baworohene, promised the support of the Asante Traditional Council for Asanteman Europe.