Busangas in New Jersey Get a Chief

By Kwabena Opong

Bronx, NY, Sunday, April 22: Alhaji Ibrahim Adams was on this day installed as the King (chief) of Busanga People or Bisa in the State of New Jersey/USA in a simple but elaborate ceremony steeped in the Islamic religion and Busanga tradition.

According to Alhaji Mohammed Mardah, former Executive Secretary General of NCOGA, President of the host Yankasa Association and the emcee for the event, the installation or turbaning of a Bisa chief is performed in the wee hours of the day in utter secrecy at a senior chief’s palace. Following custom, Alhaji Adams was turbaned at the home of Alhaji Mohammed Dabre, a Busanga King in both Ghana and New York, but on a rainy spring afternoon in New York City.

According to published records on Ghana, the Mande Busanga or the Bisa people comprise about one percent of the country’s population. They are historically mostly agrarian and predominantly Islamic.

Pre-installation processes included an opening prayer by the Imam of East Orange Cheikh Abdul Aziz Ouedraogo followed by messages of approval and endorsement from the chiefs and leaders of both the Busanga community and the Yankasa Association of New York. Among the speakers were: Dr. A. Zachary Yamba, President Emeritus of Essex County College, Newark; NJ, Dr. Akil Kokayi Khalfani, Director, Africana Institute, Essex County College, Newark, NJ; Nana Ayisiwaa Serwaa, Akyeamehema of Bechem, Ghana; Dosso Kassimou, Chairman, City of Newark African Commission; Nana Akyaa II, Queen Mother of Development, Bonkwaso Village, Ashanti Region, Ghana; and Alhaji Mohammed Dabre, Officiating Bisa (Busanga) King, Ghana/New York and Dr. Apaamore Agambila, Attorney-at-Law.

After a prayer by the Imam of East Orange, Cheikh Abdul Aziz Ouedraogo, Alhaji Prince Shamuna, Son of the late Chief of Kumasi Zongo and Custodian of Yankasa Mosque performed the turbaning of the new chief with a white cloth, signifying the sanctity of the position. Alhaji Ibrahim Adams was also presented with the copy of the Koran which signifies the authority he derives from Allah.

In his acceptance speech the new chief expressed his gratitude to the kingmakers for the confidence reposed in him to lead his people in New Jersey. Alhaji Ibrahim promised to do his best to serve.

Nana Ayisiwaa Serwaa advised the new chief to minister onto his subjects and not expect to be served. She challenged him to meet his new responsibilities head on adding “The higher you go the hotter it becomes.” Each of the assembled chiefs and leaders of the Bisa community present at the ceremony advised the new chief to live up to expectation.

Posted by admin on May 19 2012. Filed under top stories. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry