Breaking the Chains and Uniting Lives Campaign: Mitigating the effects of the slave trade
Ho, GanaAtlanta, Estados Unidos
Year Founded:
Project Stage:
2015
Organization type:
nonprofit/ngo/citizen sector
Idea
Budget:
$1 million - $5 million
- Globalization
- Travel and tourism
- Youth development
- Community development
- Intercultural relations
- Intergenerational relations
- Cultural preservation
- Human trafficking
- Migration
- Arts & culture
- Social work
- Volunteerism
Example: Walk us through a specific example(s) of how this solution makes a difference; include its primary activities.
It will be fulfilling to see people of African origin re-unite with their roots, find their true identities and contribute towards the development of Africa. This project will take people of African origin living in all parts of the World to re-discover their true identities and help them find meaning, purpose and also contribute to a social course. The emancipation of black people of African origin especially the youth is not only important for the World but for Africa as well. This will be impactful considering the tourism as well as the social enterprise development components. This project will help the world heal itself from the effects of the darkest times of world history whilst ensuring equity for the development of Africa.
Impact: What is the impact of the work to date? Also describe the projected future impact for the coming years.
People of African origin will be integrated into African societies where they belong. They will know their true heritage, culture and history. Africa will benefit greatly from all the revenue generated in the process and also from the human resources as well as businesses that will be created. The world will be healed from the effects of the slave trade. Exchange of ideas, values, technologies and information. Rural communities will see the light of development and volunteerism will be revived in Africa. The Gross Domestic Products of many African countries will be increased due to the influx of income from tourism and all these associated activities including the emergence of many companies/firms involved in social enterprise projects across the continent.
Spread Strategies: Moving forward, what are the main strategies for scaling impact?
With a headquarters in Ho, Volta Region of Ghana, we hope to expand to major cities across the West African sub-region and then to East, Central and Southern Africa. We shall work with governments in Africa to change policies and allow for smooth re-integration of blacks of African origin back into Africa. Also, we shall engage many partners across Africa towards smooth implementation of this project. In the wake of the Sustainable Development Goals, blacks everywhere in the world must participate towards the development of Africa, therefore this project will provide that opportunity to them.
Financial Sustainability Plan: What is this solution’s plan to ensure financial sustainability?
DNA testing fees, counseling and guidance fees, travels and tourism packages, in-kind contributions from NGOs, businesses, individuals and donors. Also, hopefully businesses created as a result of this intervention will become profitable. The project in each country will create one major business entity that will be a pivotal project addressing the specific needs of some selected communities and generating revenue for sustainability.
Marketplace: Who else is addressing the problem outlined here? How does the proposed project differ from these approaches?
No other institution is addressing this challenge the way we are addressing it.
Founding Story
Watching a youtube video about 8 hours to the deadline of this entrepreneurship award. This video highlighted the experience of a mother and a son (African Americans) who did a DNA test and found their origin to be the MAFA tribe of Cameroon. They visited Cameroon and had a question and answer session recorded and posted on youtube. Watching that video inspired this idea of mitigating the effects of the slave trade and also promoting tourism and cultural exchange in Africa. It then became clear that this idea will actually go a long way to impact lives across the globe and restore the dignity of Africa. The vulnerable black race will see progress if this idea is given the needed support.
Team
Dr. John Saviour Yaw Eleblu, Executive Director/CEO, PhD in Plant Biology, full-time
Miss Kekeli Oteng, Chief Operations Officer, BSc Biological Sciences, full-time
Mr. Kwasi Akuffo, Finance Director, Accountant, full-time
Mr. Yayra Dumenu, Chief Marketing Officer, full-time
Mr. Christopher Kofi Eleblu, Auditor, Chartered Accountant, part-time
Mr. Den Alexander Adovor, Coordinator of Programmes in Ghana, PhD student and Geologist, full-time
Mr. Senyo Worlali, IT Officer, full-time
Please confirm how you heard about the Unilever Awards:
From a friend
Please confirm your role in the initiative (eg Founder/co-Founder) and your organisational title:
Founder, CEO
Which of the 8 UN Global Goals (Sustainable Development Goals) pre-selected for this competition does your solution relate most closely to? [select all that apply]
No Poverty, Zero Hunger, Clean Water and Sanitation, Decent Work and Economic Growth.
Please provide examples of any previous entrepreneurial initiatives you have pioneered.
I created an NGO, Scientists in Development that is working towards community development in Ghana.
I am also a shareholder in a Farm Business, Yiri Investments Limited.
Beyond your existing team, who else are you working with to achieve your objectives, eg partners, advisors, mentors?
Prof. Eric Danquah, West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement (WACCI), University of Ghana.
Prof. Samuel Offei, University of Ghana