It is my greatest pleasure to extend, on behalf of the Executive Committee of the African Studies Association of Africa (ASAA), a warm welcome to you all. ASAA was launched on 25 October, 2013, at the International Conference on African Studies that was organised by the Institute of African Studies, University of Ghana. The launch was the outcome of discussions over two years that took place in Casablanca (2011), Cape Town (2012), and Legon (2012/3). I can say without fear that we have been gratified by the outpouring of commitment shown by the individuals who participated in these discussions which for some has translated in them taking up membership of the Association. This for us is a great level of faith for an organisation that is yet to hold its first formal activity. We are grateful to you for showing such faith in us.

A question that we were often asked as we embarked on the project of establishing this Association was why establish an association of African Studies within the African continent. This question raises another, related question about whether or not African Studies as practised by Africans especially based on the continent will be different from that which is pursued outside the African continent.

These are important questions that the Association cannot afford to evade and avoid. It is my hope that our first conference will address these and other questions. The theme of the conference: African Studies: past, present and future, is well posed to deal with these questions. Our mission, as stated in our by-laws is to promote Africa’s own specific contributions to the advancement of knowledge about the peoples and cultures of Africa and the Diaspora. This is to ensure that the continent of Africa becomes the main world seat/site/home/centre of the study of Africa and its peoples of African descent.

Please join us in making our Association, the first of its kind on our own soil, the success that it truly deserves. Kindly browse the website and send us your questions, suggestions, comments, and most importantly sign up and join us. As you most probably know, without members of good standing, there is unfortunately no Association.

Thank you very much for your interest, support and contributions towards making the ASAA a reality.

Long live ASAA, long live!!!