Cultural heritage of Africa in South America and the Caribbean This programme is of particular importance to SSCC for several reasons. First, Africa is currently the lead priority in UNESCO. Moreover, about 30% of population of Colombia is of African origin and the culture of Africa, including music, myths and legends are well preserved in Colombia, just as they are also in Brazil, Cuba, Venezuela and Caribbean islands due to slave trade. Additionally, SSCC Chairman worked or lived in 34 out of 54 African countries.
Last, but not the least, a number of prominent members of SSCC boards are from Africa and more will be added shortly. Challenges that Africa faces in the efforts to strengthen peace and fight terror and violence are huge, from Libya and Western Sahara to all Sahel countries and, from Ethiopia and Sudan to Somalia and Mozambique, due to incursions from terrorist group Al Shabaab.
It is for this reason that SSCC appointed two prominent parliamentarians, both members of African Parliamentary Union, Dr. Zanetor Agyeman Rawlings from Ghana and Hon. Tafanana Zhou from Zimbabwe on SSCC Policy Advisory Board. Additionally, Hon. Kojo Yankah and Ladi Nylander, both from Ghana, serve on SSCC Scientific and Academic Board. Most recently, as do Beverly Koch and Ali Mohamed, both from the Presidency of Kenya. Most recently, SSCC also added to its roster a notable African, Bakary Kante, who acted as a Director of the Ministry of Environment in Senegal prior to working for 15 years as one of top officials in United Nations Environment Programme in Nairobi and founding his NGO – ASCENT, also in Nairobi.. Bakary Kante and SSCC Chairman have worked together for 35 years.
The following are segments of work on Africa and its diaspora currently either being executed or planned:
01
In August 2021, the SSCC creative team made a docufiction Ulysses from Ghana based on the play Slaves by the eminent Ghanaian playwright Dr. Mohamed Bin Abdallah.
The film was shown at the Manila Festival on 3/5 April 2022 as an evening of Asian/African connectivity. Further screenings were arranged by the Government of Ghana at UNESCO on 19th September, prior to inaugurating II UNESCO Forum Against Racism and Discrimination on 28 and 29 November 2022.
The film director, Mr. Bernd Alder, has since joined SSCC Scientific and Academic Board
Details of the film can be seen on the sister website: http://www.ulyssesfromghana.com/
02
SSCC is proud that both Chairman and Vice Chairman of PAHWM (Hon Kojo Yankah and Mr. Ladi Nylander) also serve on its Scientific and Academic Board, and that Dr. Sebek serves as special adviser to PAHW . Chairman of SSCC sent a video message to the opening ceremony in April 2022.Moreover, SSCC acted as host to the visit of PAHWM Chairman to Colombia, including a special ceremony in Popayan at the invitation of the Governor of the department of Cauca.
03
Such as keynote speeches of SSCC Chairman at the Annual Conference of African American Studies, delivered on 16th February 2021, of Mrs. Ela Gandhi on 18th February and of Hedva Ser on 20th February.
SSCC congratulates warmly its member, Hon Kojo Ankah, Chairman SSCC congratulated warmly its board member member, Hon Kojo Ankah, the Chairman of the Pan African World Heritage Museum, on the Museum sod cutting ceremony in Accra on 5th May. The ceremony was attended by the President of the Republic, H:E. Akufo-Addo. the Minister of Tourism, eminent Ghanians and diplomatic corps, including Colombian Ambassador, dean of diplomatic corps, H.E. Claudia Turbay Quintero, SSC was ´ñeased to note that the Mayor of Cartagena, William Dau, sent a message on the occasion of sod cutting ceremony, whilst SSCC Chairman, Dr. Sebek, sent a video message on behalf of the organization.
