To: All media Houses

And The ‘Nkrumah @ 100 Lecture Series.

“We in Africa who are pressing now for unity are deeply conscious of the validity of our purpose. We need the strength of our combined numbers and resources to protect ourselves from the very positive dangers of returning colonialism in disguised forms. We need it to combat the entrenched forces dividing our continent….” Kwame Nkrumah (Africa must Unite).

This year, 2009, marks the centenary milestone of the birth of Africa’s illustrious son, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and thirty- seven (37) years since he died. To promote his legacy and reflect on the Nkrumah ideology as well as delve into the relevance of the pan Africa agenda in the socio-economic development of African countries, The All-African Students Union (AASU) has earmarked activities for the centenary celebration dubbed “Nkrumah @ 100- celebrating Africa, promoting Unity”.

The first part of the year-long celebration is the monthly lecture series starting this May, to August 2009. The very first one of the “Nkrumah @ 100 lecture series comes off on May 25, 2009 at the Teachers Hall and coincides with the African Liberation Day commemorated by the Africa Union (AU). The theme for the maiden lecture “The man Nkrumah”, features Dr. Yao Graham of the third World Network and Dr. Bright Oduro- Kwarteng of GIMPA on “Nkrumah @ 100- lessons for African leadership” and “Nkrumah- was he misunderstand” respectively under the eminent chairmanship of Mr K.B. Asante, a retired Ghanaian Diplomat. Subsequent lectures in the series are slated for June 16, July 1 and August 12, 2009.

The second part of the centenary celebration is the International Youth Conference on the Nkrumah Agenda and the African Youth Charter from the 17th – 21st September 2009 at the Accra International Conference Centre where participants will be drawn from the 54 national student movements in Africa, and representatives from the International Union of students, European students Union, United states Students Association, Black Students Campaign of Britain, World Federation of Democratic Youth and the Caribbean Students Association among others. Topical issues to be deliberated upon includes pan-Africanism, the Africa Youth Charter and Continental Unity, globalisation and education (especially higher education for all), and women’s participation in governance. A key highlight of the conference is the staging of Drama, titled “The Trial of Kwame Nkrumah”.

The All-Africa Students Union, AASU, since its establishment in 1972 has been at the forefront of the integration of youth and student movements, democratization and equal

access to education at all levels, and the socio-economic development of Africa and Pan Africanism. Currently, AASU has an active relation with UN agencies such as UNDP, UNESCO, UNEP and UNCCD. Added to this, AASU has an accredited status with the UN Economic and Social Council (Ecosoc) and a member of UNESCO senior experts on HIV/AIDS.

As we echo the quote of Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah in his book Africa must unite, we must remain resolute and purposeful in accelerating our common goal of attaining African unity. The Nkrumah @ 100 Celebration therefore calls for a deep reflection of our identity as Africans as we “Celebrate Africa and promote Unity”.

In solidarity of the African youth struggle,

Abdul Karim Hakib Deputy Secretary General All-Africa Students Union