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Hello, The following event may be of interest to you: Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama to Deliver Inaugural Chinua Achebe Leadership Forum Lecture at Bard College Monday, December 9, 2013 President John Dramani Mahama of the Republic of Ghana will deliver the inaugural Chinua Achebe Leadership Forum Lecture on Monday, December 9. The forum begins at 4 p.m. in the Sosnoff Theater at The Richard B. Fisher Center for the Performing Arts at Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson, New York. President Mahama will speak at approximately 5:20 p.m. The Chinua Achebe Leadership Forum brings together international leaders and thinkers to discuss Africa’s challenges, in keeping with Professor Chinua Achebe’s life and work.The recent passing of Nelson "Madiba" Mandela has made necessary a change of date for the Chinua Achebe Leadership Forum, which will explore: "Africa's Future: Mandela, Achebe, and Empowerment in Africa." On Monday, December 9, President John Dramani Mahama of the Republic of Ghana will speak on “Women in Africa: How the Other Half Lives.” (President Mahama’s talk has been moved to Monday because he will be traveling the next day to South Africa to honor Nelson Mandela).The Forum opens with a performance by the Ghanaian music group Sankofa. Attendees will then be welcomed with a talk on the legacy of Chinua Achebe, who taught at Bard for nearly 20 years. Noted Ghanaian poet Abena Busia will give a reading, and Professor Christie Achebe will speak on “Professor Achebe's Life in Perspective: The Writer and the Quest for Exemplary Leadership and Good Governance in Africa.” President Mahama will give a lecture at approximately 5:20 p.m. entitled “Women in Africa: How the Other Half Lives.” Following the lecture will be a discussion with President Mahama; the Honorable Nana Oye Lithur (the Republic of Ghana’s Minister for Gender, Children, and Social Protection); Amini Kajunju, president of the Africa-America Institute; and professors Myra Young Armstead and Peter Rosenblum of Bard College. The subject of the discussion is “The Role of Women in the Development and Democratization of Africa.” The program is free and open to the public, but reservations are required. For reservations, e-mail [email protected] or call 845-758-7094. Achebe Leadership Forum, Sosnoff Theater, The Richard B. Fisher Center for the Performing Arts at Bard College 4:00 Drumming/dance performance by Ghanaian music group Sankofa 4:30 Afro-Pulse (Bard student dancers to m Khona by Mafikizolo and Samba by Wizkid and Sarz 4:45 Welcome: The Legacy of Chinua Achebe 5:00 Abena Busia, reading 5:10 Professor Christie Achebe: “Professor Achebe's Life in Perspective: The Writer and the Quest for Exemplary Leadership and Good Governance in Africa,” and Introduction of President John Mahama 5:20 President John Mahama's Speech, “Women in Africa: How the Other Half Lives” 5:50 Roundtable Discussion: “The Role of Women in the Development and Democratization of Africa” Chair, Professor Myra Young Armstead, Bard College H.E. John Mahama, President of Ghana Honorable Nana Oye Lithur, Ghana's Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection Amini Kajunju, President, Africa-America Institute Professor Peter Rosenblum, Bard College 6:20 Audience Q and A 6:40 Closing Comments, Chidi Achebe MD, MPH, MBA President and CEO, AIDE (African Integrated Development Enterprise) 6:45 Book Signing and Refreshments Location: Fisher Center, Sosnoff Theater Phone: 845-758-7094 Press Release: 2493 If you would like to see more events please visit the following URL: http://www.bard.edu/news/events/