This important event took place on December 29th at Manhyia Palace, located in Kumasi, 250 kilometers north of Accra, capital of Ghana. It closes the chapter on the 20th Anniversary Celebrations of the enstoolment of His Majesty on the Golden Stool, in recognition of his management as head and traditional leader of the Ashanti, one of the main kingdoms of the monarchical system of Ghana.

The will of His Majesty Otumfuo to govern with peace, honesty and firmness, assuming as an example the attitude of King Solomon, are some of the qualities that fit with the mission of Dr. Harris Barrow to serve as a brotherhood liaison between nations, in this case, afro-descendant Colombia and the African Republic of Ghana.

The Diaspora State: an institution for Afro progress

Strengthening the integral development of the African diaspora in the Americas and the Caribbean, has been a challenge that today becomes a reality through the persevering work of Dr. Harris Barrow, discussing and finalizing economic investment and progress agreements with allied countries in various areas.     Within the philosophy of people’s diplomacy, Ghana is one of the countries that has the willingness to collaborate with the sisters and brothers of the African diaspora in Colombia.      Apart from the gentle invitation of His Majesty Otumfuo for the reception of the “Pillar of Peace” Award, the president of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo and his ministerial team, have received Dr. Harris and the institution she represents, expressing his interest in joining forces to help Colombia consolidate access to better living standards for its Afro-descendant diaspora.

Dr. Harris called for the mobilization and motivation of countries like Ghana to “be strong, know that you have your brothers and sisters … we are waiting for you, don’t make us wait too long”.

The State of the African Diaspora was instituted on October 24th, 2019 as a mechanism of intergovernmental alliance and cooperation between the countries of Africa and its diaspora, worldwide. As part of the Economic Community of the 6th Region, the institution intends to participate actively in the Continental Free Trade Area of ​​Africa.  The Afro-Colombian diaspora in the focus of development      To make these dreams of social justice come true, during her stay in Colombia at the beginning of December 2019, Dr. Harris Barrow advanced focused on strengthening the contact she has been making during the last two years, with Afro-Colombian communities located in the cities of Buenaventura and Cali (Valle del Cauca), in order to update the diagnosis of their needs, challenges and potentials.      Harris and his team have made progress with regional institutions in Valle del Cauca, Buenaventura and Cali, as well as with social organizations and local leaders, including Mr. Gerson Perea Castillo of the Fundación Raíces Afrolatinas y del Caribe, to present proposals that contribute to the empowerment in their enterprises and socio-productive development projects.

African Diaspora State works hand in hand with regional and municipal leadership, social organizations and Afro-Colombian communities

Based on this, Dr. Harris held a fruitful meeting in Bogotá with Senator Aida Avella Esquivel, from Colombia Humana UP, who expressed her intention to support the reparation of the social debt with the Afro-Colombian diaspora. She also met with the representative to the Chamber for Chocó, Astrid Sánchez and the leader of the Comité Cívico del Chocó, Mr. Freddy Lloreda Palacios.     

These meetings were made possible thanks to the link of Mr. Lucas Gil Ibarguen of the Comité Afro contra la Discriminación y la Xenofobia and the Proyecto Cultural Sur PCSur, already present in 60 countries.     

By the beginning of 2020, Dr. Harris Barrow plans to travel back to Colombia to the city of Medellín (Antioquia), where she has been invited by Mr. Gil Ibarguen to make available her motivating capacity in the socioeconomic progress of the communities displaced, a significant portion of the Afro-descendant population from the Colombian Pacific.      

Likewise, she will move to the city of Cartagena, cradle of another important part of the African diaspora, inheritance of the Palenquero Maroons, pioneers in the achievement of Afro emancipation in Colombia.     

On the other hand, Mr. Lucas Gil Ibarguen is working on a plan of meetings between Dr. Harris Barrow and high authorities of Quibdó (Chocó), universities and organizations of that locality, in addition to mobilizing links with municipal institutions of Quibdó, Buenaventura and Medellín, with whom it is hoped to consolidate the solidarity cooperation agreements offered by the Republic of Ghana to collaborate with the Afro diaspora in Colombia.     

The political, social and economic context of Colombia is full of complexities. Despite occupying territories with great natural wealth, the most impoverished population in economic terms is the Afro-descendant, which historically has had the most disadvantages in terms of access to opportunities for improvement of all kinds in their quality of life.      

In addition to this, the consequences of the armed conflict have deepened social inequalities in the country, forcing the Afro-Colombian diaspora to go through an arduous and prolonged struggle for the reconstruction of entire populations, for their territories, for cultural and environmental preservation. 

Ghana and Colombia transform leadership     

The case of Ghana, no less complex than that of Colombia, has the leadership of figures such as Otumfuo, who has been working to guarantee his nation’s democracy in an environment against violence, impunity and injustice. His Majesty Otumfuo has reached spaces like the UN, carrying the message of the culture of peace, the security of the people and the strengthening of traditional leadership.     

President of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo has described Otumfuo as “a pillar of peace and development for Ghana”, for the education, the fight against HIV and AIDS, the re-energization of tribal ethnic leadership, the restoration of peace in the kingdom of Dagbon in northern Ghana, among many other achievements.     

The theme of this great event is “Acknowledging and Celebrating Legendary and Transformational Leadership on the African Continent and Beyond”. The invitation of the Vice Prime Minister of the State of the African Diaspora, Dr. Melida Harris Barrow to Ghana, in her words, is the result of “the action of God Himself” to unite nations for the same cause: the search for positive changes between  countries of Africa and the African diaspora, the achievement of peace and opportunities in equality and justice for the full enjoyment of human rights.  

Thanks to the Ashanti people of Ghana, for their trust and solidarity. Ghana and Colombia, ¡brotherhood between nations!