By Yasiri J. Kasango
The School of Postgraduate Studies at Uganda Christian University (UCU) is preparing to create the prestigious Ankrah Centre as a tribute to the late Canon Kodwo Levy Esuman Ankrah’s lasting legacy. This centre reflects a commitment to academic achievement and cultural preservation, with the noble goal of commemorating his contributions and perpetuating his principles. Dr. Afia Zakiya’s prominent presence as a Fulbright scholar renowned for her extensive understanding of African history marks a new era of scholarly pursuits. Dr. Zakiya’s contribution, welcomed with wide arms by the UCU administration, promises to inject the Ankrah Centre with unprecedented insights, enriching the academic landscape and honouring the invaluable legacy of Canon Kodwo Levy Esuman Ankrah.
Lay Canon Ankrah, a prominent character whose profound legacy lives on in the annals of the Church of Uganda and Uganda Christian University (UCU), left an indelible mark on theological studies, development studies, and administration. He offered his wisdom to UCU as a revered educator and visionary, leaving an indelible stamp on its ethos. At the venerable age of 95, his calm transfer to the eternal realm in 2015 marked the end of an era, but his memory and prolific writings, if preserved, can continue to illuminate the route forward. As a result, the Ankrah Centre emerges as a light of remembrance, ensuring that his achievements remain a treasured source of inspiration for future generations. His vision and that of his widow, Professor E. Maxine Ankrah, was for Africans to reclaim the greatness of the race and create a new ‘mindset’ that resists subordinate thinking about themselves and Africa.
Dr. Afia Zakiya, a native of Mississippi and person of African descent, has kindly assumed the job of providing unflinching support UCU in order to sustain the eternal legacy of the late Canon Kodwo Levy Esuman Ankrah and his acclaimed widow Maxine Ankrah. The Ankrahs’ heartfelt appeal for the creation of a specialised centre for African diaspora studies has struck a deep chord, indicating a genuine yearning to dive into the rich tapestry of African heritage around the world. Dr. Zakiya’s intentional presence aims to boost the School of Postgraduate Studies and its dedicated workforce, working in close collaboration with a distinguished advisory group. Her skills and passion, along with a joint vision to design the blueprint for the Centre and the Africa diaspora studies programme, promise to shepherd this innovative endeavour to fruition and generate African thinking on Africa.
Professor Maxine Ankrah, the late Canon Kodwo Ankrah’s widow, devised the visionary idea for the Ankrah Centre. This initiative demonstrates her commitment to celebrating and honouring the significant contributions made by Uganda Christian University and the Church of Uganda. Canon Kodwo Ankrah’s strategic acumen was illustrated by his pioneering development of a social service framework that shaped the Church’s position not just in Uganda but also across Africa, including Kenya and Ghana. Their collective legacy is set to grow through the Ankrah Centre, embodying a rich tapestry of intellectual exploration and cultural appreciation within the domains of academia in service of Africa’s redemption.
Maxine Ankrah has been on a mission to shed light on the rich history and significant ties between the African continent and those tragically enslaved, eventually evolving into the vast and diverse community of nearly 400 million people known as the African diaspora. An African diasporan of the USA by birth and now a naturalised Ugandan citizen, as chronicled in her autobiographical book “Maxine: A Life Without Baggage”, Maxine Ankrah’s focused efforts strive to promote a greater knowledge of this complicated narrative, the creation of diasporas, while building an environment of awareness, reflection, and shared heritage bonds that transcend boundaries and unify people from all over the world who are part of the African diasporic experience.
Zakiya’s incisive perspective highlights the African Union’s critical acknowledgement of the African diaspora as an integral and regional element, including the continent’s sixth sector. The deep goal of the creative programme envisioned is to catalyse peaceful collaboration between African communities on the continent and those scattered across the worldwide diaspora. By overcoming geographical divisions, the programme aims to create a dynamic alliance that not only honours shared heritage but also creates a collective sense of purpose, highlighting the transformative potential of collaborative activities across the African diasporic landscape.
The upcoming study promises tremendous enlightenment for both Africans in the diaspora and those living on the African continent, shining light on the critical importance of promoting the collective growth of their home countries. Dr. Afia Zakiya’s unshakeable faith in this study’s transforming power emphasises its ability to provide a profound insight into one’s ancestral roots and the intricate interconnection that defines the global stage. Individuals of African origin who engage in this research have the potential to gain insights that cross boundaries, promoting a stronger connection to their roots and instilling a renewed sense of self-identity as Africans, while not ignoring the reliance and contributions within the larger global community.
Our history and culture, like rich tapestries weaved with varied threads, have been passed down through generations by various hands. This complicated combination, which is neither inherently good nor essentially terrible, represents the complexities of our shared human story. Our ancestors’ evolutionary journey spans a range of experiences, viewpoints, and influences, but we are the first humans to walk the earth. Zakiya exudes pride, contributing to a dynamic mosaic that reflects the variegated tapestry of existence. This interwoven fabric, which represents the essence of the collective human experience, continues to affect our perception of the past and the path we take in the future. At the same time, citing Cheikh Anta Diop, the evidence of our cultural unity as African peoples is a powerful thing to place before those who want us to feel we are not one. Zakiya is advocating for the centre to be based on African cultural principles such as Ubuntu and Bulaamu. The notion will reflect a sense of belonging to a community. It symbolises a desirable social behaviour paradigm. These are principles that foster community, well-being, and unity.
Embracing the wealth of African ideas and philosophy allows a fascinating journey into our continent’s vast reservoir of thinking and wisdom. We discover a rich mine of ideas anchored in the landscapes, cultures, nature, and histories that create Africa’s character by diving into these various ideologies that have evolved over millennia. Exploring these indigenous ideologies is more than just an intellectual exercise; it is an act of respect for the many voices that have influenced our identity. This voyage allows us to gain a better grasp of our past, present, and potential future while also instilling a fresh feeling of solidarity and appreciation for the tremendous diversity that characterises Africa’s intellectual and philosophical fabric and our humanity and need to be African.
