Sankofa: Retrieving the Gems in Indigenous Philanthropic Narratives and Practices in Africa for Africa’s Development Today
In this conversation Nana Afidzinu shares both her personal experience and her research on African philanthropy, with a particular emphasis on Ghanaian Akan Philanthropy.
For her and for many Africans, philanthropy is a way of being. It is embedded in Ubuntu (Humanity to others. “I am because we are"), thus it is a moral obligation to support each other. Knowing that the well being of a human being depends on their fellow human beings, that we thrive collectively. This kind of philanthropy centers love, care, respect, dignity, gratitude and solidarity and it goes beyond giving just money. People give their time, expertise & resources too, allowing for a more horizontal and relational approach. This is different from what has been known as philanthropy in the western, eurocentric discourse, which holds a transactional, capitalist and neoliberal frame where philanthropy resides on the rich and it means a wealthy person supporting someone in need.
She reminds us that Philanthropy is what has sustained African communities for ages, not development. African giving is not just for economical sustenance, but for political power. “Africa is the most giving in the world.” she says.
She shared practices and opportunities to influence the philanthropy and foster more giving from citizens. All while embedding the African /Ghanaian values and principles of philanthropy (see image below). Some of these practices include:
Sharing practices of values driven philanthropy that recognizes our interconnection.
Asking governments to recognize & include indigenous philanthropic efforts in their development plans.
Resources:
Giving to Help, Helping to Give. The Context and Politics of African Philanthropy by Tade Akin Aina, Bhekinkosi Moyo, Tade Akin Aina, Bhekinkosi Moyo, Tade Akin Aina
African Philanthropies. Our Narratives on Our Teams by Halima Mahomed
CAPSI: Center for African Philanthropy and Social Investment
Rights CoLAB: The Ringo Project. Re-Imagining the INGO and the Role of Global Civil Society
Unmuting the role of women in philanthropy in building community and community wellbeing
Engaging and offering a new lens to high networth individuals, where supporting the wellbeing of citizens benefits their businesses.
Considering mutual-aid and ways to structure volunteering opportunities to support wellbeing of communities.
Decentralizing western philanthropy dependency, while still engaging with it.
Narrative work. Documenting and highlighting practices of care, connection of our being, solidarity, mutual aid.
Highlighting the importance of working communally and practicing reciprocity. Decentering the focus on only money. Recognizing that people can give many things. That every body brings something to the table that enables our communities to thrive.
Highlighting the importance of intersectional philanthropy that considers no just humans, but the environment and spirituality.
Engaging with elders and youth. Specifically supporting youth to build the kind of pride, belief and value in their culture. Youth education that decolonizes the mind.
“Philanthropy is a way of being. It is embedded in Ubuntu. It is a moral obligation to support each other reciprocally, knowing that the well being of a human being depends on their fellow human beings, that we thrive collectively. Love, care, respect, dignity and solidarity should be embedded in the practice of philanthropy. Which is different from what has been called / known as philanthropy in the western, eurocentric, transactional, capitalist and neoliberal
global discourse, where philanthropy resides on the rich and it means a wealthy person supporting someone in need.”
“We must recenter love and practice values driven philanthropy that recognizes our interconnection.
Chasing resources, has made us more siloed and focused on our selves, vs. focusing our our alliances ad solidarity. In the spirit of SANKOFA, we need to go back to get things that are precious. Get back to get our indigenous wisdom and philanthropic ways.”