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Former African Union(AU) ambassador to United States, Her Excellency Ambassador Chihombori Quao has urged African leaders to embrace and work closely with the diaspora towards total transformation of the continent.

In her address at the Obokese University of Excellence maiden Chieftaincy Development Seminar at the Headquarters of the Obokese Foundation, Cape Coast on Friday August 28, 2020.

The Founder and President of African Diaspora Development Institute (ADDI), and activist used China as an example where the Chinese diaspora successfully led the turn around story of it's people.

The event drew to the headquarters of the Foundation about 40 chiefs amongst them eight Paramount Chiefs from Central and Western region and was streamed live for global audience participation.

Themed Orientation, Rationale, African centredness and the concept of Aso Dzi or Ubuntu, the seminar was held to reorient the traditional rulers on the need for African Centeredness approach and thought towards the development of their respective communities.

The event had great speakers including Nana Kobina Nketsia V, Paramount Chief of Esikadu, Osaberimba Kwesi Atta II, Paramount Chief of Oguaa Traditional Area, Mr Akwasi Awuah Ababio, Director of Diaspora Affairs, Office of the President, Nana Kwamina Kra, Provost of Obokese University of Excellence, Okatakyi Professor Amanfi VII, Paramount Chief of Asebu Traditional Area, Dr. Chike Akua, Dr. Anthony Browder, Mr. Kwane Boateng, a Co-Chairman of Beyond the Return, a Sequel to the Year of Return and Rabbi Kohain Halevi, Executive Director of Panafest Foundation.

Nana Obokese Ampah I, Apagyahen of Asebu Traditional Area and Founder of the Obokese University of Excellence shared his vision for the University and appealed to the traditional leaders for support to bring it to fruition.

He underscored the importance of the project as one to make a loud statement to the world that Africans Home and Abroad can come together to solve their own problems because it is a collaborative effort between some prominent children of Africans in the Diaspora and Ghanaians.

Nana Kwamina Kra II, Tufuhen of Atonkwa- Elmina and Provost of Obokese University of Excellence in a response to a call by Nana Kobina Nketsia V, for Africans around the globe to take the 2019 Year of Return call by the President of Ghana, H.E Nana Akuffo Addo as one to embrace or to revive Africaness asserted that the Obokese University of Excellence will stand to continue drumming home the vision of the Year of Return and accord it a legacy.

Hon. Akwasi Awuah Ababio, Director of Diaspora Affairs at the Office of the President was thankful for the gathering and encouraged Ghanaians to take a cue from the Obokese Foundation and take advantage of the “blessings” of the vision of President Akuffo Addo in making the most out of the Year of Return. He assured that the government stands ready to support any such initiative.

Mr. Ibrahim Kwame Baidoo, Executive Director of the Obokese Foundation thanked all participants on behalf of the Obokese Foundation and its partners and disclosed that the event will not be a one-off thing but will continue on monthly basis going forward.