Books For Africa Fundraiser with Ambassador of Ghana Hajia Alima Mahama and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz Raises Funds to Ship Half a Million Books to Africa
Books For Africa was pleased to host Her Excellency Hajia Alima Mahama, Ambassador of Ghana to the U.S., and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, at its annual fundraiser event on June 8th in St. Paul.
Ambassador Mahama was officially welcomed at a reception the evening of June 7th, and attended a breakfast the morning of the 8th at St. Paul’s University Club.
The main event was the luncheon at the Town and Country Club of St. Paul. It was attended in person by 290 guests, including BFA Container Captains, Board Members, and dignitaries from Washington D.C. An addition 1,500 supporters tuned in from around the globe to watch the livestream.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz stopped by for a private meeting with the Ambassador and BFA Executive Director Patrick Plonski, then delivered some words of welcome at the luncheon, acknowledging BFA’s history in the State of Minnesota and its deep-rooted values of education and literacy.
Ambassador Mahama then delivered the keynote address, describing Books For Africa as “a clear example of the power of dreaming and working together to create possibilities… This is where Books For Africa has taken up the mantle to ensure that children and young adults are given a chance to experience the reading of books and indeed brighten their future.”
The Ambassador cited BFA’s longstanding work in Ghana, including an upcoming container to be sponsored by Thomson Reuters in her honor, which will include a Thomson Reuters Law Library for the University of Ghana’s law school.
The event was a massive success, and supporters contributed over $235,000 in cash, pledges and sponsorships. These gifts will sponsor nearly half a million books to the continent, and BFA is already hard at work planning some of those shipments, to include countries such as Ghana, Malawi and Kenya.
Ambassador Mahama sent a letter of appreciation to Books For Africa afterwards to mark the event.
The event enjoyed media coverage as well, with articles in the St. Paul Pioneer Press, KSTP, and Mshale.
On the occasion, the Books For Africa Kilimanjaro Society Volunteer Award was also granted to the Instructional Resources Service at University of Wisconsin-Stout, in recognition of the over 500,000 books they have donated to Books For Africa in the last 25 years.
If you missed it, it’s not too late to take part! You can view the recording of the livestream, check out our photo album, or help close the gap by contributing so that we can send half a million books on the occasion of this event!
