Dr. Edward Mahama of Ghana is a candidate for president on the People's National Convention slate. He recently selected a woman running mate for vice-president. a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.
For Immediate Release
Contact: Mrs. Mavis Asamoah
MahamaAssistant@yahoo.co.uk
Link Between Ghana Independence and American Civil Rights Movement Explored
In Article by Ghana’s Vice President, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama
54 years ago today, on March 6th, 1957, Ghana became the first sub-Saharan African country to claim its independence from colonialism. On the occasion of this landmark celebration, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, has written a thoughtful and informative article that explores the link between Ghana and black America and their side-by-side struggles for liberation.
This article, which was posted on www.theroot.com, a news website owned by the Washington Post Company, presents information and anecdotes about how the years that Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah spent attending school in America helped to shape his ideas on Pan-Africanism and his vision for a free and united Africa—starting with his own homeland, Ghana. It also discusses how Ghana’s independence served as inspiration to the America’s Civil Rights Movement.
By sharing a history that many people are not even aware of, Mr. Mahama explains the enduring strength of the relationship between Ghana and people of African descent in the Diaspora. He shows us what Ghana meant to people such as civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Nobel Peace Prize recipient Ralph Bunche and scholar Dr. W.E.B. DuBois. Mr. Mahama who, in addition to advanced diplomas in Communication Studies and Social Psychology holds a degree in history from the University of Ghana, sheds light on the importance of U.S. President Barack Obama’s historic visit to Ghana, and Ghana’s “Right to Abode” legislation.
An avid reader and writer, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama is currently writing a book on democracy and culture in Africa which he has just revealed is titled, “My First Coup d’Etat: Stories From the Lost Decades of Africa.” In an advance quote about Mr. Mahama’s forthcoming book, Sierra Leonean author Aminatta Forna, who was recently short-listed for the Commonwealth Prize wrote: “I particularly liked the view of a complex world in microcosm. I think readers will find much to enjoy…”
Legendary Kenyan author Ngugi wa Thiong’o wrote that Mr. Mahama’s forthcoming book “is imbued with magic and suggestive power that go beyond the concrete and the palpable to hint at history in motion.”
Links to Mr. Mahama’s previous articles and to his official Facebook page can be found at the bottom of this press release. You may follow His Excellency on Twitter: @GhanaVeepJDM
For questions and correspondence directly relating to this article you may contact Mrs. Mavis Asamoah, whose information is listed above.
To submit requests for interviews and for all other questions please contact:
Mr. Stanislav Xoese DOGBE
Presidential Aide
Office of the President
The Castle
Osu- Accra
T: +233 24 435 4549
E: stan.dogbe@ghana.gov.gh
We encourage you to forward the article link to colleagues and others with an interest in Africa, the Civil Rights Movement, African and/or African-American Affairs/Politics, and Black History.
[ link to article: http://www.theroot.com/views/independence-black-america]
Thank you
Mrs. Mavis Asamoah
Communications Consultant
http://www.theroot.com/views/independence-black-america
Article: “Wired For Freedom in Africa” (11 February 2011)
http://www.theroot.com/views/your-take-status-update-digital-technology-africa
Article: “The Politics of Peace” (18 January 2011):
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/john-dramani-mahama/the-politics-of-peace_1_b_810534.html
Article: "There’s Still Hope for Democracy in Africa" (20 December 2010):
http://www.theroot.com/views/your-take-there-s-still-hope-democracy-africa
Article: "Seeing Africa With Different Eyes" (12 June 2010):
http://www.theroot.com/views/your-take-seeing-africa-different-eyes
Official Facebook Page for H.E. John Dramani Mahama:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/His-Excellency-John-Dramani-Mahama/174591832555281
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