Distinguished American diplomat, Ambassador Pamela E. Bridgewater hosted the second launch of her memoir, ‘Bridging Troubled Waters’ in Ghana, marking a homecoming for the first African-American woman to serve as a United States Ambassador to Ghana, appointed by President George W. Bush from 2005 to 2008.
Held at the Accra Ridge Church, Accra on July 18, the book launch drew diplomats, intellectuals, community leaders, and admirers of Ambassador Bridgewater’s exceptional 34-year career in the U.S. Foreign Service. The retired three-time ambassador hosted the first launch in the U.S., at the historic Shiloh Baptist Church (Old Site) in Fredericksburg, Virginia.
Her memoir, a poignant narrative of diplomacy, and cultural bridge-building, was an interesting appeal to her Ghanaian audience, given her transformative time in the country. It delves into her personal journey, from her childhood in segregated Fredericksburg to her global diplomatic achievements.
As the first African-American woman to serve as U.S. Ambassador to Ghana, Bridgewater earned the prestigious Order of Volta National Honour for her contributions to strengthening U.S.-Ghana relations and her engagement with local communities, including the Asantehene, the revered king of the Asante people.
The launch began with an interlude from renowned choral group, Winneba Youth Choir from Central Region of Ghana, celebrated for their lively performances and contributions to Ghanaian cultural heritage. Dr. Kwame Bawuah-Edusei, former Ambassador of Ghana to Switzerland and U.S., gave an opening remark at the event recognizing the special guests in attendance. The event’s MC was Mr. Danny Easton Mawuenyega.
Ambassador Daniel Kufour (D.K.) Osei, Secretary to former Ghana’s President John Agyekum Kufuor from 2001 to 2008, gave a keynote speech at the launch, commending her key roles in the African countries she served as a U.S. diplomat.
“Pamela is an embodiment of a courageous diplomat; it took courage for Pamela to work as a Consul General in apartheid South Africa. It took courage for her to go to Benin, and not only work as an ambassador, but help the country to take advantage of argon to improve their economy, and also help women fight against female genital mutilation, and save their children from being victims of infanticide,” he said.
Rev. Owusu Mensah, Mayor of Princes Town, located in the Ahanta West District of Ghana’s Western Region which also has a sister-city relationship with Fredericksburg, Virginia in the United States, gave a congratulatory message, citing his town’s delight for the book launch. His town is a Sister City of Frederickburg, the home town of Ambassador Bridgewater.
“For us in Princes Town, this memoir is not just a celebration, it is a reminder, that we are not forgotten, that we are part of a larger global family. And that even across oceans, friendship can be sincere, service can be lasting, and support can be transformational,” he remarked.
The mayor stated that the book was more than paper, but a memoir “bound with purpose.” The book “challenges us to rise, it reminds us to reach back, and inspires us to keep building,” he said, emphasizing her natural aura of support and community service.
Madam Chris Edusei who introduced Ambassador Bridgewater to the podium to read from her book, called her “a wonderful, helpful, lovely Southern Lady who is kind and extremely friendly.” She noted that the ambassador “makes good friends easily and keeps them.” According to her, Ambassador Bridgewater invited her, Ambassador Kwame Bawuah-Edusei, Pakwo Shum “to put this book launch together for her in Ghana.”
Ambassador Bridgewater read an excerpt from her memoir, describing a special moment in history for her when she negotiated with rebel leader Sekou Damate Conneh, Jr. to end Liberia’s Second Civil War.
She served as the U.S. Special Coordinator for Peace in Liberia during the Second Civil War, appointed by President Bill Clinton. Her work focused on mediating peace talks, resulting in the Accra Comprehensive Peace Agreement of August 2003, which ended the conflict.
In a post event statement, Abeeb Lekan Sodiq, a representative of TheAfricanDream, and a part of the book’s launch team, pointed out that “The book Bridging Troubled Waters shows how Ambassador Bridgewater converted adversity into opportunity, reminding me of the power of diplomacy and cultural connection, especially through her transformative work in African countries.”
His comments online indicated a “monumental” satisfaction for witnessing the historic event in Ghana. Like most attendees, he was particularly moved by her reflections on complex political landscapes while advocating for diversity and inclusion in international affairs. The launch included a book signing session.
The memoir is her second book, the first book, Neutral on nothing — The Social Activism of Reverend B. H. Hester, was written about her grandfather. The beautifully illustrated book on his life as a pastor, educator, writer, and committed social activist was published in 2019, drawing on many original documents and family scrapbooks.
Reviewing the memoir, Ambassador Harry K. Thomas, Jr., who served as the U.S. ambassador to Bangladesh, the Philippines, and Zimbabwe, described the memoir as a “straightforward and cogent window into her role in navigating U.S. – South Africa relations during one of the most critical periods in global history…”
The third launch of the memoir will be held on July 23 at the Songhai Centre, Porto-Novo, Republic of Benin, at 4pm. The memoir is available online, and you can purchase a copy of the book on Amazon. To see more pictures from the book launch, click here.
Written by Oral Ofori
Oral Ofori is Founder and Publisher at www.TheAfricanDream.net, a digital storyteller and producer, and also an information and research consultant.
