The 2024 All-African Diaspora Education Summit (ADES), in collaboration with the College of Education, University of Ghana, was recently held under the theme "Colonisation to Sovereignty: The Future of African Diaspora Education - 2022-2032." This decade-long initiative aims to reflect on African history, deepen the engagement of the African Diaspora and highlight the importance of reconnecting with one's roots. The Summit attracted an impressive turnout of over 350 African American educators, affirming the relevance and appeal of its mission.
Professor Gordon Awandare, Pro-Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs
Professor Gordon Awandare, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs, chaired the summit on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor. In his address, Professor Awandare stressed the importance of the theme in shaping the educational future of Africans globally: "At the University of Ghana, we are committed to advancing this vision. We believe that for Africans to lead and take charge of their own affairs, we need to be educated in the right context and equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to make the best use of our resources". This commitment, he explained, is closely aligned with the university's five strategic priorities, particularly transformative student experiences and strategic partnerships.
Dr. Edward Bush, President of Cosumnes River College, USA
Dr. Edward Bush, President of Cosumnes River College in the USA, urged the audience to reconnect with their African roots and pointed out the importance of breaking away from reliance on European influence. In his address, Dr. Bush called on the African dispora to end white cultural dominance, embrace African identities, take control of their narratives and meaningfully share their stories.
Dr. Chike Akua, Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership, Clark University
Dr. Chike Akua, Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership at Clark University, presented a framework for African-centred education. His presentation outlined 15 standard frameworks aimed at helping African diaspora communities and their students to prioritise African-centred education as a pathway to achieving African sovereignty.
Professor Kingsley Nyarko, Deputy Minister of Education responsible for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET)
The keynote address was delivered by Professor Kingsley Nyarko, Deputy Minister of Education responsible for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). He stressed the timeliness of the summit and the importance of placing African history, culture and values at the forefront of educational initiatives. "Empowering African students means fostering pan-African solidarity, preparing them for economic independence, positioning them to compete in the global market and ensuring that they grow up with a balanced sense of Africanism," said Professor Nyarko. He further discussed the importance of balancing African-centred education in a globalised world.
Dr. Herbert English, President of A2MEND
Earlier, the summit opened with welcoming remarks from Dr. Herbert English, President of A2MEN, and was ably moderated by Ewura Adams Karim and Aba Gerri Franike Scott. Participants were treated to artistic performances, including a Seprewa musical performance and cultural presentations by Abibigromma and the Ghana Dance Ensemble.
A thought-provoking panel discussion entitled "What is the impact of colonial education on African peoples and how can we best implement African-centred education?" featured panelists including Professor Mawuko Yevugah, GIMPA; Dr. Nana Lawson Bush V of ADES; Professor Yaw Oheneba-Sakyi, University of Ghana; Professor Mjiba Frehiwot, University of Ghana and Lasana Hotep, UC Berkeley.
Subsequent concurrent break-out sessions explored topics such as "Building Higher Education Partnerships Between Ghana and the USA," "K-12 Decolonising your Classroom: Implications for the Diaspora and the African Continent," "Higher Education Decolonising your Classroom: Implications for the Diaspora and the African Continent" and "How to Decolonise the Practice of Nonprofits: Implications for the Diaspora and the African Continent." These sessions offered practical strategies for promoting decolonised educational practices in different settings.
