By Prince Acquah
Cape Coast, Aug 22, GNA – The University of Cape Coast (UCC) has conferred an honorary doctorate degree on Ambassador Arikana Chihombori-Quao, a former Permanent Representative of the African Union to the United States, for her distinguished services to humanity and the African Continent.
The medical doctor and staunch Pan-Africanist was awarded a Doctor of Letters degree (D.Litt Honoris Causa) at a special congregation to crown the two-day 14th Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Lectures for which she was the guest speaker.
The revered diplomat, who is also an author, educator, and entrepreneur, delivered two separate lectures on the themes: “Imperialism, colonialism, and neo-colonialism – The three Axis of evil for Africa” and “African youth rising – The revolution has begun.”
She explored how imperialism, colonialism and neo-colonialism had been used to systematically undermine Africa’s development and drummed home the need for Africa to unite.
The university, in a citation, described her as an ‘African woman of substance whose works and deeds embodied the ethos of the African Dialogue.”
“During your tenure as the AU permanent Representative to the United States, you brought new energy to the mission, tirelessly mobilising people of African descent for a common cause,” the citation said.
“Your initiatives to unify people of African descent, establish health facilities, advocate the African narrative, contribute significantly to health, education, and entrepreneurship are commendable,” it added.
“Your efforts in mobilising the Diaspora as a unified people of African descent rather than as citizens of individual African countries are unprecedented.
“You exemplify leadership and the ability to unite people around a common goal, prompting the vision of one African, one continent,” the citation stressed.
Dr Sir Sam Jonah, the Chancellor of UCC, eulogising the diplomat indicated that the honour done her was well-deserved.
Ambassador Chihombori-Quao expressed gratitude to the university for recognising and honouring her efforts and encouraged Africans to aspire to greater heights and help develop the continent.
Ambassador Chihombori-Quao has achieved several feats and recognitions both as a professional medical practitioner and a diplomat fighting for the progress of the African Continent.
With more than 25 years’ experience as a medical practitioner, she founded and owned several medical clinics in the United States, including Bell Family Medical Centers.
She was a medical doctor at the Mid Tenn and Medical Associates and the Smyrna Ambulance Service from 1996 to 2012.
Among many other positions, she served as the Chair of African Union-African Diaspora Health Initiative (AU-ADHI) as well as the International Chair of the African Union-Diaspora African Forum Americas (AU-DAF).
As AU-DAF and AU-ADHI Chair, she advocated for the participation of Africans and friends of Africa in the continent’s development, and mobilised African Diaspora health professionals to assist during African health crisis.
Among her many achievements, she is also a prolific writer who authored her book entitled ‘Africa 101: the Wake-Up Call,’ a bestseller on Amazon.
GNA