News

In June of 2010, a delegation from the National Bar Association, led by NBA President Mavis T. Thompson, witnessed the distribution of a BFA shipment of books sponsored by their organization. The Ghana Bar Association received a West core law library, and the Ghana Human Rights Commission received a collection of new human rights books, all generously donated by Thomson Reuters.

Tammie Follett, representing Thomson Reuters, recently visited the University of Malawi – Chancellor College Faculty of Law, which received law books through the Jack Mason Law & Democracy Initiative of Books For Africa. Follett met with the Dean, Dr. Fidelis Edge Kanyongolo, who spoke of the great need for attorneys and legal resources in Malawi. Click on the link above for more info and photos...

Congressman Keith Ellison (MN) spent the 4th of July recess in Africa as part of the House Democracy Partnership Commission, which sends members of Congress to mentor the leaders of developing democracies. While in Liberia, Congressman Ellison took part in the unveiling of the upgraded Congressional Library at the University of Liberia in Monrovia. The Jack Mason Law & Democracy Initiative of Books For Africa provided many of the law books in the library and also at the Grimes School of Law at the University of Liberia. The West law books were generously donated by Thomson Reuters. Congressman Ellison delivered additional BFA books during his visit to other locations in Liberia.

In February 2010, Lane Ayres, director of Books For Africa’s Law & Democracy Initiative, visited law schools and legal organizations in Ghana and Liberia. The most memorable time was the day he spent at the Grimes Law School in Monrovia, which received the first shipment of West law books from Thomson Reuters in January of 2009. (Dean David Jallah is pictured above.) Everyone gave testimonials as to how the books had improved teaching and learning at the law school. To view a slideshow and get more info, click on the link above...

The Jack Mason Law & Democracy Initiative of Books For Africa is very proud to announce several notable additions to its Advisory Board.  The Advisory Board is co-chaired by Kofi Annan, former UN Secretary General and Walter Mondale, former US Vice President.  A list of all current advisory board members is available at www.booksforafrica.org/law.

Akintola Anthony Akinbote Esq. Books For Africa and it's Jack Mason Law & Democracy Initiative extend heart-felt condolences to the family and colleagues of Akintola Akinbote on his untimely passing on February 19, 2013. At the time of his death he was the Secretary General of the Pan-African Lawyer's Union and has been one of strongest advocates for the rule of law in all of the continent of Africa. During 2010-2012 Akin was a prominent member of the Advisory Board of the Jack Mason Law & Democracy Initiative of Books For Africa. The Advisory Board is headed by former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and former US Vice President Walter Mondale. Current Advisory Board member Yvonne Fiadjoe, Senior Counsel for the African Development Bank, said of Akin, "Africa has lost a true luminary. It is a sad day for the continent. "