The All African Diaspora Education Summit (ADES) has been organized at the University of Cape Coast with a call on Africans to adopt an education curriculum that projects Africa’s culture and value system at the centre of teaching and learning experience.
The Summit which was on the theme, “Reclaiming African Sovereignty through African-Centered Education: Pushing Excellence as a Mantra in Everything Through the Right Education" was held under the auspices of the Obokese Foundation and assemble Presidents of tertiary institutions, black educators, students among others.
Nana Kobina Nketsia V, Omanhen of Essikado Traditional Area, in his address, as the guest speaker, noted that education in Africa was indoctrinated. According to him, Africa was a "broken continent" because its wealth and economy were being controlled by their "enemies", adding that imperialism was a bane on the continent.
Nana Kobina Nketsia V, Omanhen of Essikado Traditional Area
He indicated that African history was being tainted by their colonial masters and it was affecting the bright future of the continent. The Omanhen called for a new Africa that exuded the spirit of Pan Africanism.
"There must be a new Africa and that Africa will get rid of Ghana, Nigeria. That is truly the pan African spirit. Who created Ghana, who created Nigeria?" he asked, maintaining that the colonial masters named African countries.
Rabbi Kohain Halevi, Director of Pan African Festival
Rabbi Kohain Halevi, Director of Pan African Festival, in a short remark, said the African colonial masters had buried the character of Africa.
"They told us that we were animals, we come from jungles and destroyed our culture, language, heritage and stole our artifacts” he said.
Dr. Nana Kwamina Krah II, Rector of Obokese University of Excellence
Dr. Nana Kwamina Krah II, Rector of Obokese University of Excellence, for his part, said Africa should stand on its ground to reclaim its sovereignty, saying that the ancestors of Africans were fully behind the current crop of generation.
Nana Kwebu Ewusi VII, Omanhen of Abeadzi Dominase in a brief remark, called on Africans to come together to change the sordid story of the continent. He said traditional rulers were available to support that worthy cause.
Earlier in her welcome address, the Pro Vice-Chancellor of UCC, Prof. Rosemond Boohene, said UCC puts premium on internationalisation and called for collaborations with the diaspora.
Apagyahen of Asebu Traditional Area, Nana Obokese Ampah
Explaining the purpose for the summit, the Apagyahen of Asebu Traditional Area, Nana Obokese Ampah, noted that for far too long, Africa's continued application of the self-serving Eurocentric infrastructure that Britain left behind had led to continuous dependence and exploitation to the detriment of the rapid development of the continent.
"The introduction of a powerful and proven African centered education model will provide a solid African foundation, announcing to the world anew, that African people still possess the capacity to think for themselves, act in their interest and chart their own destiny" he asserted.
Nana Obokese who was also the chairman for the summit indicated that the education renaissance would further represent an academic paradigm shift reminiscent of Mansa Musa's famous pilgrimage to Mecca in 1324 where he shocked the then known world by an unprecedented display of African wealth, splendour, civility and genius.
Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC