President John Dramani Mahama of the Republic of Ghana

AAI President and CEO Amini Kajunju will join President John Dramani Mahama of the Republic of Ghana on a panel discussion on women’s role in Africa’s development at the inaugural Chinua Achebe Leadership Forum Lecture on December 10 at Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson, New York.

The Chinua Achebe Leadership Forum will bring together to international leaders and thinkers to discuss Africa’s challenges, in keeping with the life and work of the late Chinua Achebe, a Nigerian novelist, poet, professor, and literary critic. Achebe taught at Bard College for nearly 20 years.

The theme of this year’s gathering is “Africa’s Future: Hopes and Impediments—Inspired by Professor Achebe’s Work.”

President Mahama will deliver a lecture on  “Women in Africa: How the Other Half Lives.” Following the lecture will be a discussion on “The Role of Women in the Development and Democratization of Africa” with President Mahama; the Honorable Nana Oye Lithur, Ghana’s Minister for Gender, Children, and Social Protection; Amini Kajunju; and Bard College professors Myra Young Armstead and Peter Rosenblum.

“It’s a privilege for The Africa-America Institute to be invited to participate in the Achebe Leadership Forum’s roundtable discussion on ‘The Role of Women in the Development and Democratization of Africa’ at Bard College,” said Amini Kajunju, AAI President & CEO.

“Women have always been powerful drivers of development in Africa,” said Kajunju. “When women are educated and actively engaged in their economies, the socio-economic benefits for families, communities and nations are unparalleled. Expanding access to higher education and advanced training for both women and men is required to prepare African professionals for today’s global economy.”

Since the founding of AAI 60 years ago, Kajunju noted that AAI has worked to ensure the full participation of women in building strong, inclusive African nations through advanced education and training. “AAI remains committed to harnessing all of Africa’s human capacity to move the continent towards sustainable development,” she stressed.

The program is free and open to the public, but reservations are required. For reservations, e-mail achebeforum@bard.edu or call 845-758-7094.

Download the forum flyer here.