By Kingsley Mamore
Dambai (O/R), Nov 4, GNA -The Africa Diaspora Initiative (ADI), has announced the launch of an orientation certificate course for its highly anticipated Re-Africanization programme.
This groundbreaking initiative aims to reconnect African Americans, Caribbean’s and other diasporans with their cultural and historical roots.
The virtual orientation course, developed in partnership with the African University College of Communication (AUCC) will mark the first step in the Re-Africanization journey.
Participants will delve into Africa’s rich history with a focus on the transatlantic slave trade, guided by renowned African cultural and history scholars, according to its release to the Ghana News Agency.
Through immersive lessons on heritage and ancestry, the programme, aims to provide participants with renewed sense of identity, guided by the saying attributed Pan Africanist Marcus Garvey, that, “a people without the knowledge of their past history, origin, and culture is like a tree without roots.”
In partnership with the African University College of Communication (AUCC), the virtual orientation course will be the first step in the re-Africanization journey.
Participants will explore Africa’s rich history with a focus on the transatlantic slave trade.
Dr. Kemi Wale-Olaitan, the Vice President of AUCC, highlighted the College’s commitment to bridging academics with real-life impact, aiming to equip graduates to meet the demands of the modern world.
Dr. Wale-Olaitan emphasized that AUCC faculty are working closely with ADI to make African history and heritage practical, relatable and impactful for participants.
She said the African University College of Communications understands the vital role of Promoting African culture and values.
“We are pleased to partner with the Africa Diaspora Initiative to launch the Re-Africanization project, which reflects our belief in the importance of encouraging talented Africans who have achieved success abroad to return home, reconnect with their cultural roots and contribute to the development of their Homeland,” Wale-Olaitan said.
She further explained that AUCC and ADI were eager to collaborate with both diaspora and local organizations to advance these Pan-African initiatives, aimed at rekindling awareness among Africans and enhancing the continent’s image.
Dr, Morufu Omigbule, one of the Directors of ADI and a Professor of literary anthropology at Obafemi Awolowo University, IIe- Ife, who coordinates Ife studies at the Ooni’s palace in IIe-Ife explained that participants of the Re-Africanization program will engage directly with African traditional institutions, learning about the lives of their ancestors before the era of slavery.
He told the Ghana News Agency, in an interview, that the component of the program aims to remind participants that their story did not begin with slavery but with a proud heritage and thriving civilizations.
Following the orientation, participants will have the option to travel to Ghana for the full two-week immersive experience, scheduled for July 2025.
During this period, participants will have the opportunity to walk through historic sites, observe ancestral artifacts, engage in cultural exchanges traditional authorities and gain first-hand insights into customs and ways of life their ancestors cherished.
The Organisation (ADI) is dedicated and open to values, ideas, principles and interests that can help the world to evolve into a place where individuals are valued regardless of their history.
Other partners of the Re-Africanization program include, the Ife Studies, African Chamber of Content Producers, Humserve Africa Foundation, Africa Progressive Research and Innovations (APRIL), Africa Monologue Challenge (AMC) and several other partners.
The Re-Africanization program represents a step toward empowering diasporans with a sense of rooted rich and culturally relevant identity they can bring into any community.
With the launch of the orientation course, ADI is fostering a cultural renaissance that not only reclaims the past but also strengthens the present, participants can register for the short orientation course at africad.org
GNA