KNUST-Atlanta Chapter end year with dinner dance

The Atlanta branch of the KNUST Alumni Association of North America held its Annual Dinner Dance at the Café Songhai West African eatery at Peachtree Corners, Georgia-USA.

The main objective of this year’s dinner was to update members on the status of the library project by the national association and also highlight members’ areas of expertise that could benefit all members.

The occasion was attended by the National President, Dr. Yao Ababio from Houston, Texas and new members who have recently moved to the Atlanta area. Some other alumni members also attended from out of the State of Georgia such as Massachusetts and Virginia.

The program commenced about 8:30 pm with a prayer by Emmanuel Akron (Financial Sec.) and a welcome speech by the President of the Atlanta Chapter, Mr. Kwame Boafo who welcomed all members to the end of year dinner dance. He reiterated the objective of the event and went on to inform members about the direction that the association is going to take in the coming years. Mr. Boafo signaled to members that it is prudent to be a bit more active in the activities of our immediate community as an association. He commended an education initiative by a renowned Professor in the College of Engineering at the University of Georgia, Dr. Robert Baffour-Awuah who is also an Alumnus. Dr. Awuah has taken upon himself to campaign for better higher education for Ghanaian children in Georgia and the rest of the States; KNUST Atlanta chapter pledged their support for such a laudable project.

Mr. Boafo emphasized the need to identify member potentials to leverage our skills, experience, and expertise to benefit individual members. “Moving forward, we will create the opportunity to allow businesses owned by our members to advertise on our media platforms to create awareness” He added.

The main speaker of the night, Dr. Yao Ababio in his address updated members on the status of the KNUST campus library project being undertaken by the association. He said to members that the association came together in Atlanta about four years ago to raise funds to adopt a session of the library and equip it with network computers. He indicated that the University library is under-resourced and needed help considering the fact that a facility that was originally designed to accommodate 3,000 students is now handling close to 5,0000 students.

’Almost all computers at the library are stand alone units, it is prudent to have a server to network the computers to enable easy sharing of computer programs and reduce cost. He mentioned that 15 HP desktop computers have been purchased with a powerful server to be delivered to the library early next year. He entreated all members who are yet to honour their pledges from the Black tie event in Atlanta to do so to enable the association send more computers to fill up the session; he also invited members to come up with a name for the library session.

Alumni members were treated to the usual mouth-watering cuisine from Café Songhai and great music to dance the night away. There was also a raffle event that lucky members won some gorgeous prizes from the Atlanta chapter.

Mr. Clement Papafio, former President of the Atlanta chapter also took the opportunity to thank all members who contributed for the library projected and reminded members to honour their pledges. “Donation and collections are still ongoing,” he said.

Mrs. Afua Nyamekye-Appiah, women’s organizer for Atlanta thanked everybody who made the time to attend the event. “KNUST really appreciates your presence here tonight” she stated. She took the opportunity to thank the sponsors of the event; Strong Tower Realty LLC, in Lawrenceville Georgia, RS Mortgage Services in Decatur Georgia, and Elmina Inc., in Norcross Georgia.