By Dr. Artika Tyner, dr.artikatyner@gmail.com
Planting People Growing Justice™ Leadership Institute (PPGJLI) and Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church (739 Selby Ave.) founding pastor, Rev. Carl Walker, have just returned from a visit to Africa that focused on promoting literacy and fostering community development. We visited Sierra Leone and Ghana in furtherance of our goal of growing futures by providing our youth with the tools needed to build a solid academic foundation and unveil their leadership potential.
Planting seeds in Sierra Leone
While in Sierra Leone, we partnered with the Living Word International Academy to support their literacy program and contribute to building a well. The support received through PPGJLI and Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church through these community development projects encouraged students and the community in multiple ways. It promoted educational programs, scholarships for scholars, water sanitation, and agriculture. When combined, these efforts enable students to continue their education while supporting the health and wellness of the community.
Literacy is essential for academic success and career development. Nearly half of the youth and young adult population in Sierra Leone are unable to read. Living Word seeks to eradicate this reading crisis by taking an intergenerational approach to reading and family education. The academy is engaging the entire family on the journey of learning. In addition, the well project will help to ensure that water is more accessible to students and their families.
Growing futures in Ghana
While in Ghana, we had the honor of meeting with Odeneho Kwafo Akoto III, the Akwamuhene and Paramount Chief of the Akwamu State in Ghana, to support his literacy initiative and education fund. Odeneho Akoto III has declared ‘war’ against illiteracy. He stated: “The war against poverty must be fought with the mind and hearts. In the words of Nelson Mandela, ‘Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.’” In furtherance of this vision, we provided inspiring books that will ignite the minds of our children, fostering a love for learning, growth, and leadership development.
In addition, we partnered with the Ghana Scholarship Fund and Senchi Ferry Community Library to host a youth leadership development workshop where we explored STEAM education and related career pathways.
Our visits to Sierra Leone and Ghana are contributing to the education, literacy, and health of young people now and into the future. These efforts advance our mission of planting seeds of social change through education, training, and community outreach.
2024 Sankofa Trip
Planting People Growing Justice is excited to announce our 2024 Sankofa trip to Ghana. Returning to Africa is a Sankofa moment. Sankofa reflects the philosophy of “go back and fetch it.” It also means “we must return to the source.” During our 2024 visit, community participants will recapture their cultural heritage and pride. They will see a reflection of the ancestors who paved the way for our very existence through their hard work, fierce determination, and unwavering faith.
To learn about how you can embark on a Sankofa journey by discovering our shared humanity and common destiny, visit: https://www.ppgjli.org/ghana2024
Through her organization, Planting People Growing Justice Leadership Institute, Dr. Artika Tyner seeks to plant seeds of social change through education, training, and community outreach.
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