On Monday, March 22, 2010 at the World Bank, The Africa Society of the National Summit on Africa, in partnership with Travel Channel, held a reception and world premiere for the film, SENEGAL: THE PRESIDENT’S TOUR. The film features H.E. Abdoulaye Wade, President of the Republic of Senegal, as he guides television correspondent, Tiki Barber, on a fascinating and picturesque journey throughout this West African country. The film portrays Senegal, a country celebrating its fiftieth year of independence, as the dynamic and progressive West African nation it is.
Obiageli Ezekwesili, Vice President for the Africa Region of the World Bank, provided welcoming remarks, while Bernadette Paolo, President and CEO of The Africa Society, served as the Mistress of Ceremony. Congressman Donald M. Payne (pictured above), Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health, provided the introductory remarks for President Wade who addressed the audience of over 400 individuals in World Bank’s Preston auditorium. Television correspondent and former NFL star Tiki Barber was also on hand to discuss his experience in Senegal and introduce the film.
This film marks the fourth collaboration between The Africa Society and Travel Channel for the Presidential Tours of Africa Series. The three previous films featured President Mogae of Botswana in 2008, President Museveni of Uganda in 2003 and President Kufuor of Ghana in 2005. Programs such as these not only change perceptions, they also serve to increase tourism. We are proud of the impact our programs have in changing the negative and stereotypical images of Africa that Americans are all too often inundated with. We want to encourage the media to do more features on Africa that cast the continent in a positive light.
Show your support and appreciation of films such as these by watching, “Senegal: The President’s Tour”, which will air on Travel Channel on Monday, April 5, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. EST. You will definitely enjoy yourself.
