Arikana Chihombori-Quao: Champion of African Unity, Diaspora Engagement, and Economic Empowerment
In modern African and African diaspora history, few figures certainly need to be celebrated for standing their ground against the unyielding pressure from Western imperialism in Africa and against the African people. One such personality is Dr Arikana Chihombori-Quao, a woman of multifaceted talents and unwavering dedication.
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Dr Arikana has carved a path marked by advocacy, entrepreneurship, and diplomacy, leaving an indelible mark on the discourse surrounding Africa’s future. She is that mighty woman we are talking about today. But do you really know Dr Arikana and what she has done over the years? That is where we need to start from.
Who is Arikana Chihombori-Quao?
Born in Zimbabwe, around 1957, Arikana’s journey took her from the heart of Africa to the United States, where she established herself as a medical doctor, activist, and entrepreneur. Her commitment to healthcare led her to find the Bell Family Medical Centers (Tennessee) in 1992, providing essential services to communities in the United States.
However, it is her role as a diplomat and advocate for African unity that has truly propelled her onto the global stage. From 2017 to 2019, Arikana served as the African Union representative to the United States, where she tirelessly championed the cause of African unity, empowerment, and representation.
At the core of Arikana’s advocacy is her steadfast belief in Pan-Africanism – the idea that the future of Africa lies in its unity. She has been a vocal proponent of reunifying the continent, arguing that a united Africa is better equipped to address the common challenges it faces, including poverty, healthcare disparities, and underdevelopment.
Central to Arikana’s vision is the engagement of the African diaspora in Africa’s development journey and that is fundamentally important. See AClasses Business Connect to understand our position on that.
According to an article on AFDB (The African Development Bank Group) in 2022, Africans abroad remitted about $95.6 billion to the continent. That is not a small amount of money, and it therefore should make sense that the skills and expertise of the African diaspora are quickly assuming greater importance to Africa’s economic development, and political future too.
It’s on this background that Arikana recognizes the wealth of knowledge, skills, and resources that the diaspora communities possess and therefore advocates for harnessing these assets to drive progress on the African continent.
Through initiatives such as the African Union-African Diaspora Health Initiative (AU-ADHI), she has helps mobilized health professionals from the diaspora to address Africa’s healthcare challenges. That is commendable. Don’t you agree? But that is not all.
Arikana and her African decolonization effort
Decolonization is the process through which formerly colonized nations or peoples reclaim their autonomy, sovereignty, and cultural identity from colonial powers. It involves dismantling colonial structures, institutions, and ideologies that perpetuate inequality, exploitation, and cultural erasure.
Many African intellectuals believe that the African consentient cannot move with their colonial structures. Therefore, they often argue in favor of decolonization which encompasses various dimensions, including political independence, economic self-determination, and the restoration of indigenous knowledge systems and practices.
At its core, the process of decolonization seeks to rectify the historical injustices inflicted by colonialism, acknowledge the rights and agency of indigenous peoples, and foster a more equitable and inclusive society grounded in principles of justice, equality, and mutual respect.
In the middle of this fight is Arikana who is a staunch advocate for the process, including reparations, and acknowledging the enduring impact of colonialism on Africa’s socio-economic landscape.
She calls for recognition of the harm caused by colonial powers and seeks reparative measures to address historical injustices. Is this a just? Yes, it is, and every day.
Arikana and the protection of African geopolitical interest
The following is the title of an article about her in Aljazeera “Is it time for a ‘reset’ of the US strategy in Africa?”
In the article which talked about her discussion with Steve Clemons on The Bottom Line, Arikana emphasizes a shifting dynamic in Africa’s relationship with Western powers. She asserts that Africans are increasingly resisting the historical pattern of exploitation by Western nations, whereby Africa’s resources benefit Western interests rather than the African people. That needs to stop.
See our previous interview: Unmasking European Preemptive Violence Against Africans: Dr. Tawanda Chabikwa Exposes It For All!
Arikana challenges the oversimplified narrative that recent coups in African nations signal a complete pivot towards alliances with Russia and China. Instead, she suggests a more nuanced understanding of Africa’s geopolitical landscape.
She advises that for the United States to rebuild trust in Africa, it should reconsider its alignment with France’s policies and pursue a more independent stance. It is therefore important that we look for effective ways to protect African geopolitical interests. Now, here are three recommendations in that regard:
Resource Management and Ownership:
African nations should prioritize policies that ensure the responsible management and ownership of their abundant natural resources. This could involve renegotiating or reforming contracts with foreign companies to ensure fairer terms that benefit the African people directly.
Diversification of Partnerships:
While maintaining relationships with traditional Western allies, African countries should also diversify their partnerships with emerging global powers such as Russia and China.
By engaging with multiple partners, African nations can reduce dependency on any single foreign power and leverage competition among them to secure better deals and support for their interests.
Assertive Diplomacy and Policy Independence:
African governments should adopt a more assertive approach to international relations, advocating for policies that align with their own interests rather than those dictated by external powers.
This may involve advocating for policies that prioritize African development and sovereignty, even if they diverge from the preferences of Western nations or traditional allies like France and the United States.
Arikana and her move for African Economic empowerment
Economic empowerment is another cornerstone of Arikana’s advocacy efforts. She believes that Africa’s progress hinges on its ability to harness its economic potential and create opportunities for its people.
Through her entrepreneurial ventures and advocacy for investment in African businesses and infrastructure, she strives to catalyze sustainable growth and development.
As a medical doctor, Arikana is deeply passionate about healthcare equity. She advocates for quality healthcare services and infrastructure across Africa, recognizing the critical role they play in improving the well-being of its people.
What will Economic empowerment translate to in Africa? Well, here are three advantages for your reflection:
Poverty Reduction:
Economic empowerment provides African people with the means to generate income, create livelihoods, and improve their standard of living. By fostering entrepreneurship, job creation, and access to economic opportunities, individuals and communities can lift themselves out of poverty, reducing reliance on aid and building sustainable pathways to prosperity.
Socioeconomic Development:
Economic empowerment enables African countries to drive socioeconomic development and achieve long-term growth objectives. By investing in human capital, infrastructure, and productive sectors of the economy, nations can enhance productivity, stimulate innovation, and foster inclusive economic growth.
This, in turn, creates a conducive environment for job creation, wealth distribution, and poverty alleviation, ultimately contributing to overall societal advancement and well-being.
Empowerment and Agency:
Economic empowerment allows African people to exercise greater control over their lives, resources, and futures. By providing individuals with access to education, skills training, financial services, and market opportunities, they can assert their economic agency, make informed choices, and pursue their aspirations.
Economic empowerment also fosters greater social inclusion, gender equality, and community participation, enabling individuals to actively contribute to shaping their own destinies and driving positive change in their communities.
Another area where you would hear the great inspection of this wonderful African daughter is a presentation titled, Africa 101: The Wake-Up Call.
The Wake-Up Call by Arikana
The event was organized at the UCLA African Studies Center, University of California, Los Angeles. During the event, Dr. Arikana spoke about “The Wake-Up Call” which is also the title of her book.
In her book “Africa 101: The Wake-up Call,” Dr. Arikana draws upon personal experiences, her time at the AU, and historical events to shed light on the enduring struggles, discrimination, and violence faced by Africans and their descendants. She addresses the legacy of the Transatlantic Slave Trade and connects it to the contemporary urgency of movements like Black Lives Matter.
Through her work, she urges action and presents strategic plans for initiatives, offering a timeline for Africans both on the continent and in the diaspora, as well as allies of Africa, to challenge stereotypes and combat racism with immediacy and determination.Top of Form
To give me more feel, I’m going to city just a small piece from the book description and encourage you to buy and support the good work of this great sister:
“Africa 101: The Wake-up Call is a book about the “hunters” and the “hunted.” The hunters are Africa’s exploiters, slavers, colonizers, and neo-colonizers, and the hunted are the African people who survived against severe odds…
She warns in this book that the hunt is still ongoing and calls on Africans and people of African descent all over the world to rise up in defense of our beloved continent.”
Arikana and African Cultural Heritage
Beyond her professional endeavors, Arikana encourages Africans to embrace their cultural heritage and take pride in their identity. She believes that a strong sense of self-worth is essential for Africa’s resilience and progress in the face of adversity.
See also our previous article – The Role Of Education And Training In The African Diaspora Community – Menorvia Dixson-Ross Explains
What should we do? Well, consider the following three points:
Cultural Education and Preservation Programs:
Implementing educational initiatives that promote African cultural heritage and history can help instill a sense of pride and identity among African youth.
By integrating cultural studies into school curricula and organizing community programs, workshops, and events that celebrate African traditions, languages, and customs, individuals can develop a deeper appreciation for their heritage and strengthen their connection to their roots.
Cultural Exchange and Collaboration:
Facilitating cultural exchange programs and partnerships between African communities and diaspora populations can foster mutual understanding, solidarity, and collective empowerment.
By encouraging dialogue like we continue to do with regular LinkedIn our African diaspora storytelling, sharing experiences, and collaborating on cultural projects. These help individuals to bridge geographical and generational divides. It helps cultivate a sense of belonging and forge networks of support and resilience among the people.
Economic Empowerment through Cultural Industries:
Leveraging Africa’s rich cultural diversity and creativity to drive economic empowerment can unlock opportunities for sustainable development and growth.
Investing in cultural industries such as arts, crafts, music, fashion, and cuisine can create employment, generate income, and stimulate local economies, while also preserving and promoting African cultural heritage on a global scale.
See our previous article – Empowering Communities: The Role of African Diaspora Women in Small Business
Supporting cultural entrepreneurs, artisans, and creative enterprises through access to markets, finance, and capacity-building initiatives can harness the economic potential of cultural assets and contribute to Africa’s resilience and prosperity.
Conclusion on Arikana: Champion of African Unity, Diaspora Engagement, and Economic Empowerment
I want to conclude by saying that Arikana’s life and work epitomize the spirit of resilience, determination, and commitment to progress. As a champion of African unity, diaspora engagement, and economic empowerment, she continues to inspire generations of Africans and diaspora communities alike.
What we should listen to her and keep shaping the discourse on Africa’s future and leaving an enduring legacy of hope and possibility.
Want to learn more about storytelling? Start by downloading the first chapter of The Storytelling Mastery.
