The Africa Society and Discovery Communications Co-Host Exclusive Premiere Screenings of the Travel Channel's Ghana: The Presidential Tour

24 October 2005
Content from a Premium Partner
Africa Society of the National Summit on Africa (Washington, DC)
press release

On Wednesday, October 26, Discovery Communications and The Africa Society of the National Summit on Africa will host an exclusive premiere screening of the Travel Channel's GHANA: THE PRESIDENTIAL TOUR at the American Film Institute, following by a reception at Discovery Communications' Global Headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland.

In attendance will be Ghanaian President John Agyekum Kufuor and the Minister of Tourism of Ghana, J.O. Obetsebi-Lamptey, who serve as personal guides in the program. Ghana's legacy of unrivaled natural beauty, rich cultural traditions and exotic wildlife makes it a captivating subject for viewers who accompany President Kufuor and journalist Forrest Sawyer during their journey in GHANA: THE PRESIDENTIAL TOUR, which airs on the Travel Channel on Tuesday, November 8, at 10 PM (ET/PT).

In addition to the screening in Silver Spring, six other premiers of GHANA: THE PRESIDENTIAL TOUR will be held on October 26 in Los Angeles, Atlanta, Phoenix, Oakland, Brooklyn and Seattle.

"Discovery is pleased to present this program along with The Africa Society that provides Americans with positive images of Africa and Africans and shares knowledge about the continent's undiscovered treasures," said Judith A. McHale, President and CEO, Discovery Communications. "Through the special screenings that are taking place across the country, we hope to educate people about Ghana's remarkable diversity, people, history and culture."

UCLA's African Studies Center and the Southern California Ghana Association will host a screening at the Fowler Museum on the university's campus in Los Angeles. The Georgia Africa Society will premiere the film at Atlanta's City Hall Atrium and, in Phoenix, the Arizona Africa Society and Phoenix College are co-hosting the screening taking place at the college. In Oakland, the Women's Intercultural Network (WIN) is co-sponsoring the event with Marcus Books and the Africa Priority Network at the Parkway Speakeasy Theater. The Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture Library marks the site of the screening sponsored by the New York State Africa Society and the Longlife Information & Referral Network. The Seattle screening is taking place at Club Hollywood and is being sponsored by the Washington State African Network, The Greater Seattle Association and The African Chamber of Commerce of the Pacific Northwest.

Whether viewers are attending the special screenings or witness this tour in the comfort of their living rooms, they will get a one-of-a-kind glimpse into some of Ghana's most treasured locations -- from Osu Castle in the capital city of Accra to Kakum National Park, home to the world's longest rainforest canopy walkway. They will see President Kufuor and Forrest get up close and personal with a crocodile, play with a few friendly tree monkeys and view a group of elephants bathing in a local watering hole. Viewers will accompany them to cocoa farms, meet local villagers as they make their crafts, go on fishing expeditions and then take in a game of beach football with President Kufuor. As the tour comes to a close, President Kufuor takes Forrest to the slave castles of Elmina, the point of departure for tens of thousands of African slaves, now a site of pilgrimage for many African Americans seeking to understand their African heritage.

Leonard H. Robinson, Jr. President and CEO of The Africa Society, believes GHANA: THE PRESIDENTIAL TOUR is both highly entertaining and enlightening. "I know that of the 184 million viewers around the world who will see this film, for many it will be the first accurate portrayal of an African country that they have ever witnessed. They will see a magnificent Ghana, a country run by an intelligent and charismatic president, deeply rooted in democracy, full of vibrant businesses and, of course, inhabited by friendly and hospitable people," said Robinson.

GHANA: THE PRESIDENTIAL TOUR is the second in a series of presidential tours of Africa that The Africa Society has done in partnership with Discovery's Travel Channel. The Africa Society's mission is to educate Americans and people abroad about Africa and its people, to build bridges of understanding and partnership and to facilitate the continent's social development and political transition to more open, democratic societies.

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