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A Legacy of Unity, Tradition, and Leadership from Akropong to the Windy City

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A Brief History of the Akuapem People

The Akuapem people, nestled in the eastern highlands of Ghana, trace their origins to a rich tapestry of cultures, including the Guan, Akan, and Kyerepong ethnic groups. The Akuapem state was founded in the early 18th century as a confederation of towns including Akropong, Larteh, Aburi, Amanokrom, and Tutu—formed in part as a response to Akwamu dominance in the region. This unity was not only strategic but cultural, giving rise to a polity deeply rooted in traditional leadership, diplomacy, and communal identity.

 

Akropong, the traditional seat of the Okuapehene (Paramount Chief), remains the spiritual and political heart of the Akuapem people. The annual Odwira Festival, a celebration of purification, renewal, and thanksgiving, symbolizes their shared values of peace, reconciliation, and reverence for ancestry.

 

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Origins and Foundation of the Okuapeman Fekuw Association – Chicago

From the serene hills of Akuapem to cities like Dodowa, Somanya, Nsawam, and beyond, Akuapem descendants have carried their heritage far and wide. In the early 1980s, a group of Akuapem migrants in the Chicago metropolitan area established the Okuapeman Fekuw Association of Chicago–Ghana, a cultural and social organization aimed at preserving their identity and supporting community life in the diaspora.

 

Their mission was clear: to unite Akuapem families abroad, maintain cultural practices, and provide mutual support in times of celebration and need.

 

In 1984, the Okuapeman Fekuw became one of the founding members of the Ghana National Council of Metropolitan Chicago (GNC)—an umbrella body representing Ghanaian ethnic and regional associations in the region. By 1985, the group had expanded its reach nationally, joining other Akuapem groups across North America to form the Okuapeman Association of USA and Canada (OKUSACA). Through OKUSACA, they participate in the annual rotational Odwira Festival, held in different cities across the continent, reaffirming their commitment to transnational unity and cultural continuity.

 

 

 

Cultural Identity and Purpose

The word Fekuw means “group” or “union” in Akan—a reflection of the association’s purpose: to foster solidarity, cultural pride, and community among Akuapem people in the diaspora.

 

Rooted in towns like Akropong, Aburi, Amanokrom, Larteh, Adukrom, and Tutu, the members of Okuapeman Fekuw emphasize:

• Mutual support

• Intergenerational education

• Cultural celebration and preservation

 

Their spirit is beautifully encapsulated in their communal greeting:

 

“Ofie!” – Home!

“Biakoye!” – Unity!

 

These words carry a powerful message: no matter where life takes us, unity always brings us home.

 

 

 

Contributions to the Ghana National Council (GNC)

The Okuapeman Fekuw Association has played a vital role in shaping the vision and trajectory of the Ghana National Council:

• Founding Member: A key contributor to the GNC’s early development and constitution.

• Leadership: Notably, Paa Kwasi Sam, a respected figure within the community, served as President of the GNC, exemplifying the Akuapem values of diplomacy, service, and inclusive leadership.

• Civic and Cultural Impact: The Association has actively participated in community initiatives such as health awareness programs, youth mentorship, and the flagship cultural event, Ghanafest.

 

 

 

Cultural Engagement and the Odwira Festival

 

At cultural showcases like Ghanafest, the Okuapeman Fekuw brings to life the regal, spiritual, and communal essence of Odwira—the traditional Akuapem festival. Through royal processions, storytelling, chieftaincy displays, and community exhibitions, they offer a glimpse into the cultural soul of Akuapem.

 

As a proud member of OKUSACA, they also contribute to the broader celebration of Odwira across North America, uniting Akuapem descendants through shared heritage and cultural pride.

 

 

 

Legacy and Diaspora Leadership

 

For over four decades, the Okuapeman Fekuw Association of Chicago–Ghana has stood as a beacon of strength, leadership, and cultural preservation within the Ghanaian diaspora. Their legacy is not just in music, language, or attire, but in the values instilled, the leaders cultivated, and the bridges built between generations and across continents.

 

From the evergreen hills of Akropong to the vibrant neighborhoods of Chicago, the call continues to echo:

 

“Ofie!”

“Biakoye!”

 

Home and unity—guiding principles that sustain a people and their purpose.

 

In 1985, the group became part of a broader national movement when the Okuapeman Association of USA and Canada (OKUSACA) was formed. Through OKUSACA, members across North America coordinate cultural activities, most notably the rotating Odwira Festival held annually in designated cities across the United States, further cementing transnational ties among Akuapem descendants.

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Cultural Identity and Purpose

The word Fekuw means “group” or “union” in Akan, and the name itself reflects the purpose of the association: to build unity and cultural continuity for Akuapem people in the diaspora. With pride in their lineage from towns like Akropong, Aburi, Amanokrom, Larteh, Adukrom, and Tutu, members of the Fekuw emphasize mutual support, intergenerational learning, and cultural expression.

 

Their community spirit is embodied in their favorite greeting:

 

    “Ofie!” – Home!

“Biakoye!” – Unity!

 

This call and response underscores a deep belief: that no matter where one resides, unity brings us home.

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Contributions to the Ghana National Council (GNC)

The Okuapeman Fekuw has played a consistent and influential role in the Ghana National Council:

• Founding Membership: They were instrumental in shaping the early vision and constitution of the GNC.

• Leadership Roles: Members have served in key executive capacities. Notably, Paa Kwasi Sam, a respected Okuapeman leader, served as GNC President, further amplifying Akuapem values of service, diplomacy, and inclusivity within the Council’s governance.

• Civic and Cultural Impact: The Association has supported GNC initiatives like health awareness campaigns, youth mentorship, and the flagship Ghanafest event.

 

Cultural Engagement and Odwira Festival

At cultural events like Ghanafest, the Okuapeman Fekuw showcases the regal and spiritual significance of Odwira, the annual purification and thanksgiving festival traditionally held in Akropong and surrounding towns. Through symbolic processions, chieftaincy displays, storytelling, and community booths, the Association adds to the ceremonial richness of Ghanafest and offers the broader Ghanaian and African American community a window into Akuapem values of peace, renewal, and ancestral reverence. As part of OKUSACA, the Okuapeman Fekuw also participates in the rotational celebration of Odwira across North America, promoting pan-Akuapem unity and cultural pride across states and generations.

 

Legacy and Diaspora Leadership

For over four decades, the Okuapeman Fekuw Association of Chicago–Ghana has remained a pillar of strength and cultural continuity within both the local Ghanaian community and the wider North American diaspora. Their legacy is not just in traditional dress or drumming, but in the values passed down, the leaders they’ve nurtured, and the cultural bridges they’ve built. From the evergreen hills of Akropong to the neighborhoods of Chicago, the spirit of “Ofie! Biakoye!” continues to guide their journey.

 

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