NYU IN GHANA CELEBRATES ITS INAUGURATION

NYU in Ghana, an Africa House program, celebrates its first year.

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Accra, Ghana, September 27-29, 2005. New York University celebrated the launch of the NYU in Ghana program with several very full days of academic and cultural events, beginning with a conference on the African Diaspora and the arts, and ending with a concert of Ghanaian Highlife Music. New York University Provost David McLaughlin and Tisch School of the Arts Dean Mary Schmidt Campbell were on hand for the events - here they join the NYU in Ghana and NYU Global Education staff at a cake-cutting celebration at the NYU in Ghana academic center.

SUMMARY

The NYU in Ghana program was launched in Fall 2004, and has hosted 90 students since then, making it one of the largest study abroad programs in Ghana. Run by Dr. Akosua Anyidoho, the program is unique in that it allows students to study in three settings: at Ghana's flagship institution-the University of Ghana, Legon; Ashesi University- a privatecomputer and business studies institution; and NYUs own Academic Center where adjunct professors and visiting NYU's professors offer courses in film, art, social sciences and the humanities. Distinguished local academics who have taught at NYU in Ghana include professors Kofi Anyidoho, Kofi Awoonor and John Collins.

Recent high-profile/renowned NYU faculty members visiting the campus include Professors Manthia Diawara, Deborah Willis, Awam Amkpa, William Easterly and lecturer Lyle Ashton Harris. The thirty-one students enrolled in Fall 2005, including several from other American universities, are able to take classes ranging from computer science to visual arts, in a range of academicenvironments. At the same time, community-based learning throughinternships and excursions to historical sites give NYU students opportunities to interact with different sections of the society.

Tuesday, September 27th:

The Triangle: Framing Africa through Film, Music and the Visual Arts, curated by Prof. Deb Willis

9:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. – Panels on Art History, Photography and Film
6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. – Formal opening of photography exhibition & reception

10:00 p.m.-12:00 p.m.
Formal launching of the African Heritage Library, a joint project of Kofi Ghanaba and NYU.
There will be short presentations by Africa's leading ethomusicologist Professor Nketia and University of Ghana's distinguished scholar in African popular music- Professor John Collins. Divine drummer Kofi Ghanaba will perform with the Winneba choir at the launching

5:00-7:00 p.m. – Inaugural Ceremony
TOPIC: Debt Cancellation of African Countries
SPEAKERS:
• Dr. Joe Abbey, Center for Policy Analysis, Accra
• Prof. William Easterly, New York University, NY

9:30 -1:00 p.m. - A tour of Accra, led by J.Max Bond, Jr., Nat Amartiefio and Lesley Lokko.

8:00-10:00 p.m. – Highlife Concert featuring C.K. Man, Ofori Amponsah, Wulomo. K.K. Fosu, The Ramblers and others.

PHOTOS

NYU Professor Clyde Taylor speaks at The Triangle conference.	NYU Professor and Triangle organizer Deb Willis speaks at the opening of the exhibition.
NYU Professor Kyra Gaunt speaks at The Triangle conference.	A question during the Triangle conference.
Coffee break during the Triangle conference.	Student spoken word performance at the NYU in Ghana academic center.
NYU Professor William Easterly speaks at the inaugural ceremony.	Distinguished Economist Joe Abbey speaks at the inaugural ceremony.