. The Asanteman Association of Chicago and Midwest (AACM) in the United States of America (USA) last Friday donated assorted books to the Ashanti library in Kumasi .

The organization is made up of Ashanti’s domiciled in Chicago and the Midwest. The books which cost over US $ 16,000 comprised of fiction and non-fiction, textbooks, workbooks, journals and children books among others were made available through solicitation by courtesy of Algonquin Public Library, Kennedy-King College and others.

Making the presentation on behalf of the Asanteman Association, Mr. Victor S. N. Boafo, secretary of the association thanked Nana Addai Bafour (Asantefuohene) and Nana Abena Amponsah (Asantefuohemaa) of AACM for their support and roles played in getting the package available for presentation. He also commended Mrs. Abena Agyeman Bugyei ,Youth Coordinator of AACM, for working with him on the project in reaching out to the donors of the books through follow-up correspondences, and also towards getting the books available for shipment. Miss Ophelia Birago (Library Officer) was also commended for granting AACM an interview during the path finding mission in 2006, during which time she addressed the library's concerns to AACM. The secretary said the donation was in response to a request made by the management of the library few years ago after a fact finding mission from AACM came to ascertain avenues they could support to enhance the standard of living of the people of Kumasi and the nation as a whole.

Mr Boafo also mentioned that the donation was part of the association's social responsibilities to the nation, as well as to support the Otumfuo Education Fund.

Mrs Rebecca Akitta, the Regional Librarian for the Ashanti Library who received the package eulogized the AACM for the gesture which had come to improve their stock and collection.

She appealed to the association and other philanthropists and institutions to help them procure more computers to support their cyber department project which commenced recently. In conclusion, Mrs. Rebecca appealed for a photocopier machine to enhance the library's operations.

Nana Yaw Opoku, Ankobeahene of AACM, on his part indicated that they chose the Ashanti library due to its strategic location in the region and the country. Nana Opoku asserted that people from all walks of life could patronize the Library irrespective of religion, race, ethnic background or political affiliation. He lamented that although the association and other philanthropists are ready to donate items to institutions in the country, the major problem confronting them was high taxes at the habour on donated items. He therefore appealed to the government to waiver taxes on donations and gifts from philanthropist individuals and organizations to motivate and encourage more help to Ghanaian communities back home.