September 21, 2016, New York, NY –

Following an extensive search, the Board of Trustees of the Africa-America Institute nominated Mr. Kofi Appenteng as Chief Executive Officer of the Africa-America Institute.

The vote was unanimous and Mr. Appenteng accepted the position.

“The depth and breadth of Kofi’s experience and expertise are exactly what AAI needs as it continues to be at the forefront of US-Africa engagement. AAI’s longstanding mission to provide education and training opportunities for the next and future generations of African leadership will flourish under Kofi’s direction,” said AAI Trustee and Interim Board Chair, Steven Pfeiffer.

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“As the United States confronts global challenges that cannot be addressed without strong African partners, and as Africa works to harness the extraordinary potential of its youthful demographics, AAI’s mission of bridge building through expanding educational and training partnerships and opportunities is more relevant than ever. Kofi’s wisdom, his vast networks and experience, combine with the dynamism of his approach to make him the right person for this moment”
–Ambassador Michelle Gavin, Managing Director of the Africa Center

“It has been my privilege to know Kofi well and to have served on several boards with him over the last 20 years. He is one of the most thoughtful and strategic individuals with whom I have worked. AAI is an important institution linking the US and Africa and is fortunate to have someone of Kofi’s caliber to take over its leadership at this important moment. I am very confident that AAI will thrive with Kofi at the helm in the years ahead.”

–Vincent Mai, CEO Cranemere, Inc.

“AAI is a treasured organization that has long been a leader in US-Africa affairs. The talent and wisdom that Kofi brings to its rich heritage will have extraordinary impact benefiting Africans, Americans and those around the world committed to an ever brighter future for Africa,”

– Ambassador Patrick Gaspard, US Ambassador to South Africa

 

“I am thrilled to learn that Mr. Kofi Appenteng will be taking on the role of President of the Africa-American Institute. I strongly believe that given Mr. Appenteng’s African roots, and his wealth of experiences in the global private and nonprofit and foundation sectors, he is poised to take the organization to greater heights. I am confident that he will not only build on AAI’s long legacy of investing in education, youth development and dialogue, but will also deep and expand its impact, to ensure long-term sustainability development on the African Continent.”

– Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli, Founder, LEAP Africa

“Kofi’s lifelong commitment to African affairs and to US-Africa relations make him an outstanding choice to lead the Africa-America Institute at this critical time. My deep admiration for Kofi’s intellect and for his selfless, humane and thoughtful approach to whatever he undertakes are further buoyed by my respect for the insights and capacity for hard work he has brought to so many important assignments in his career, and for his capacity to rally others to engage causes in which he strongly believes. He is ideally suited to address the challenges ahead.”
–Colin Campbell, President Emeritus of Wesleyan University