Ghana

My free market think tank friend -- Franklin Cudjoe -- is the president of the Imani Center for Policy & Education in Ghana. Imani is hosting a book review event this weekend so I wanted to be sure to post on the details to help promote their work:

You are cordially invited to
IMANI Book Review Series
Featuring
“Atlas Shrugged” rated second most influential book after the Bible

Theme: Redefining Your Relationship with Society and Government
A Philosophical and Economic Journey with the US (Russian-born) novelist Ayn Rand

Saturday, November24, 2007, @ Ashesi University, Building Three from 10:00 am -12:00pm with Lunch

What would you do if society betrays your hard work, dignity, underpays and confiscates the property you have rightfully acquired?

What would you do if your contribution to the growth of Ghana in art, business, leadership, scientific research, or new ideas of any kind was penalized with say, exorbitant income taxes?
In her Magnum Opus (Greatest Work), Ayn Rand positions man as the ruler of his own life. As his contributions to society are met with disdain, disgrace and punishment, he decides to shrug, and go into solitary confinement. What happens to society afterwards will be the basis for our online chapter by chapter discussions of this never-to-put-down 1168 page book.

The book, Atlas Shrugged is billed by some surveys as the second most important book after the bible in the US.

For a detailed description of this project, please join the IMANI team over lunch. We will give you a copy for free and may depending on your circumstances defray part of your transportation fares to the venue.

RSVP, Franklin Cudjoe, Executive Director, IMANI, franklin@imanighana.org or call Tadiana/Sandra (Office lines) 021 41 7094/ 0289510383 or (mobile) 0244 638 178.


Just a reminder for readers -- the former United Nations' Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, is also from Ghana. I can assure readers that Mr. Cudjoe has done more positive things for Ghana via his think tank than Mr. Annan ever did when he was at the United Nations.

Be free - read,

Todd

Darfur

In their recent newsletter my friends at Books For Africa ("BFA" -- http://www.booksforafrica.org/) announced that they have sent their first container of books to the country of Chad (June 2007). These books will be distributed to refugees from the Darfur region of Sudan.

What struck me the most is that most refugees need the basics covered -- food, clothing, and shelter (FCS) -- yet in the refugee camps (quoted the BFA newsletter now) ---

"........the markets nearby the (refugee) camps sell books for the children. Firewood is a commodity in the camps surrounded by desert, wood is very scarce and so has become valuable. Since they don't have money the kids are gathering firewood to pay for their books."

Okay, clearly I need to quit complaining about the "challenges" in my life after hearing this story!!! These refugees have fled genocide in Sudan for primitive camps in Chad where they struggle to secure the basic needs of life (FCS) YET at the same time they seek to buy/borrow books so they can continue their children's' educations and/or perhaps help distract them from the devastation that surrounds them.

I hope these donated books empower and inspire these refugees as they struggle to build new lives.

Write checks-change lives,

Todd

Somalia

Students at Minnesota's Metropolitan State University have partnered with our Somali immigrant community to construct a library in Puntland, a semi autonomous state in northeastern Somalia. The project is being administered by a non-profit group, created by Ali Abdurashid, called Somali Family Services.

Construction on the library began in January 2007 and should be completed in December 2007 thus becoming the "first public library in the region" according to the article I read. Anyone interested in this project can contact:

Tom O'Connell
Metropolitan State Professor of Political Science
tom.oconnell@metrostate.edu

Libraries are essential infrastructure that help communities to succeed but like a family pet libraries must be "fed" with books so I hope Metropolitan State and my friends at Books for Africa (www.booksforafrica.org) explore ways to work together.

Progress in Africa,

Todd