From the Kwahu Mountains - Mpraeso, Obo, Nkawkaw -  to Chicago: 

 

Origins and Settlement

The Kwahus are an Akan subgroup inhabiting Ghana’s Eastern Region, known locally as “Asaase Aban” (the Natural Fortress) for their mountainous homeland along Lake Volta’s western shore. Oral histories recount their migration from the Asante heartland following the British–Ashanti War of 1874, when they established fortified communities such as Mpraeso, Abetifi, and Atibie under a matrilineal chieftaincy system headed by the Kwahuhene and a council of elders  .

 

Culture, Social Structure, and Artistry

Kwahu society emphasizes matrilineal inheritance, communal solidarity, and respect for age‐grade hierarchies. Ritual libations and durbar ceremonies honor ancestors and reinforce social bonds, while storytelling and proverb‐sharing preserve moral values. Traditional drumming and dance—particularly Agbadza, Borborbor, and Atsiagbekor—feature prominently at festivals, funerals, and naming rites, transmitting history and reinforcing unity across generations  .

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Founding and Early Identity in Chicago

In 1983, a cohort of Kwahu immigrants in Chicago formally organized as the Kwahu United Association of Chicago, with Mr. John Kesse elected as its first President and Mr. Steve Somua as General Secretary. Their mission was to unite the Kwahu people in the Midwest, provide mutual support in adapting to American life, and raise funds for development projects in their mountain‐top home communities.

 

Community Purpose and Contributions

The Association’s signature Easter Jamboree serves as an annual fundraiser and cultural celebration. Each spring, members and friends gather for a traditional dinner‐dance, cultural pageantry, and community meetings—mirroring the famed paragliding and durbar festivities of Kwahu South—raising resources for local schools and healthcare facilities   .

 

Connection to GNC and Okwawu United of North America

• 1984: Became one of the twelve founding ethnic associations of the Ghana National Council of Metropolitan Chicago (GNC), collaborating on inter-ethnic cultural programs and civic engagement  .

• 2005: Affiliated with Okwawu United of North America to coordinate diaspora development efforts and share best practices among Kwahu communities across the United States and Canada 

 

Leadership in the Ghana National Council

Key office-holders from the Kwahu United Association have included:

• John Kesse – President of the Kwahu United Association (1983–present) and GNC Council Member  

•  Emmanuel Sekyere Asiedu – Planning Committee Chair, Anniversary Celebrations (2008–2013)  

Their involvement has helped steer signature GNC initiatives such as youth mentorship, scholarship schemes, and cultural showcases.

 

Cultural Presence at Ghanafest

At Chicago’s annual Ghanafest, the Kwahu United Association presents:

• Durbar Processions in full regalia, echoing traditional chieftaincy pageantry

• Dance Ensembles performing Agbadza, Borborbor, and Atsiagbekor

• Miss Kwahu Pageant, spotlighting diaspora youth leadership and cultural ambassadorship  

• Information Booths on Kwahu history, language (Kwahu Twi), and economic contributions  

 

Development, Outreach, and Diaspora Impact

Proceeds from events fund:

• Scholarships for high-achieving students in Mpraeso, Abetifi, and Atibie  

• Medical Equipment Donations to the Atibie Government Hospital  

• School Infrastructure projects, including classroom additions and library support  

 

Legacy and Forward Path

For over forty years, the Kwahu United Association of Chicago–Ghana has exemplified unity, service, and entrepreneurship rooted in Kwahu heritage. From its founding in a small living room to its ongoing leadership within GNC and Okwawu United of North America, the Association continues to bridge the highlands of Kwahu and the urban landscape of Chicago, ensuring that the spirit of Asaase Aban thrives across continents.