Help Complete Youth Library Complex in Ghana

Welcome to my GoFundMe page!

For the last eight years, my brother Jerry Johnson at the African Ancestral Wall, New Ningo Ghana, has been able to expose thousands of African, African American and African Caribbean students to great personalities in African history that are not likely to be featured in their school history books. A total of 92 large painted portraits of Ancestors like Marcus Garvey, Yaa Asantewaa, Amilcar Cabral, Fannie Lou Hamer, Imhotep, Toussaint L’Ouverture, John Henrik Clarke, Sonni Ali, Miriam Makeba and 83 more offer all visitors and students a chance to experience these important figures in African history, all at no cost to the students. (Several videos are available on YouTube by searching African Ancestral Wall.)

They are currently completing a library and multi-purpose building to support and complement their current activities at the Ancestral Wall. Besides viewing the 92 portraits, let’s help them give the students access to more in-depth learning of the history, not only of the individuals featured on the walls, but the deeper context and background around their accomplishments. The ground floor library will provide the written and digital audio/visual materials, while the second level multi-purpose floor will provide the space for teaching and training. They have already begun using the space for lessons on history as well as African dance and drumming for local and visiting youth. They intend to further expand to community learning and practical skills (e.g., chemistry, math, physics and electronics labs). They will also work to make the center a place for collaborating among Ghanaian and Diasporan problem-solvers to address opportunities and challenges at all levels.

Given their substantial investment up-front, along with the support of many generous friends, they no longer have far to go! I trust that this GoFundMe campaign can help them to cross the finish line!!

Here are some examples of what has been done and what remains to be done. Other tasks to be completed include purchasing and installing bathrooms, doors, windows, library and classroom furniture, computers, printers, books, shipping items from the US, etc.

Tiling of the first and second floors has been completed.

Three inside stairwells need to be completed.

7,000 sq feet of ceilings need to be plastered and painted and lights and fans installed.

The rear outside walls need to be plastered and the building needs to be painted.