Founded in 1957, with the mission of promoting
African studies and culture, the African Studies
Association held its 50th Anniversary Meeting, named
“Africa Week”, in New York at the Sheraton Hotel,
October from 18-21, 2007.
The African Studies Association is a non-profit
organization of scholars, administrators and other
specialists on Africa.
For four days the conference brought to New York
over 200 scholar specialists on Africa, from all
academic fields; development officials, government
representatives, artists, linguists, language
teachers, performers, and technicians. The event
gave the public an unprecedented opportunity to have
access to expertise on Africa.
The
ASA reception attendees and speakers, including
Dr. Abena Busia of Rutgers University
Present among the guests
was Mora Mclean, President and CEO of the African
American Institute. The Africa-America Institute
(AAI) was founded in 1953 to help Africans build
human capacity through education and training
programs. Today, AAI continues to pursue this vision
through a portfolio of programs aimed at both
educating Africans and educating Americans about
Africa.
Scholars from China also came to participate in
“Africa Week’s” event. Wenping He and Naiyu Liu, who
are Africa specialists at the Chinese Academy of
Social Sciences in Beijing, were present to
represent China and strengthen educational relations
between Asia and Africa. They discussed how Asian
students and African students should collaborate in
international study programs to learn about the
cultures.
The president of the African Studies Association,
Pearl T. Robinson, opened the ceremony stating,
“This year’s annual meeting theme is 21st century
Africa”.
With that said, participants began discussing
matters to creating a new vision of development in
Africa.
Included in “Africa Week’s” activities, was a gala
in honor of the 50th Anniversary of the Republic of
Ghana which was held at a reception featuring a
Durbar of Ghanaian Chiefs from Ghana.
The National Council of Ghanaian Association
secretary general, Mohammed Mardah was present
amongst the guests. Invited guests included city,
local, and national politicians, UN representatives
and representatives from the African immigrant
organizations in New York City.
Dr. Abena Busia of Rutgers University thanked the
participants for attending and showing support to
Africa during the durbar. She stated, “We are here
to recognize and make an effort in tackling issues
in Africa such as hunger, education, health and
poverty through open dialogues and hands on
initiatives. It is an on going process but, progress
in being made on many levels.”
The evening closed with a march of Ghanaian chiefs
from New York City greeting guests, as the
celebration of “Africa Week” continued with music
and networking amongst the participants.
Commentary, Dec. 3, Ghanadot.com - Priorities
in Africa sometimes tend to be ambivalent, to put it mildly. And
the effort to combat the dreadful HIV/AIDS is no exception to
this rule.....More
Review, Dec 3, Ghanadot - It is
with sadness that WE THE CONCERNED CITIZENS OF ANLO IN THE
DIASPORAS PEN THIS REJOINER TO Mr. Bennett Akuaku’s article in
the "Daily Guide of 24 November. 2007."
.More
Social Scene, Dec 3, Ghanadot -Founded in 1957, with
the mission of promoting African studies and culture, the
African Studies Association held its 50th Anniversary
Meeting, named “Africa Week”.....
......More
Jirapa, (UW), Dec. 2, Ghanadot/GNA- The Chief Justice,
Mrs. Georgina Theodora Wood, on Sunday said what Ghanaians
expected from the judiciary was nothing but quality justice.....
...More
