Breaking the Chains and Uniting Lives Campaign

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Breaking the Chains and Uniting Lives Campaign: Mitigating the effects of the slave trade

Ho, GhanaAtlanta, United States
Year Founded:
2015
Organization type: 
nonprofit/ngo/citizen sector
Project Stage:
Idea
Budget: 
$1 million - $5 million
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Project Summary
Elevator Pitch

Concise Summary: Help us pitch this solution! Provide an explanation within 3-4 short sentences.

The effects of the slave trade is still being felt by people of African origin living outside Africa and also by Africans living in the motherland. This project seeks to help them and Africans in Africa to re-unite towards the rebuilding of Africa through social interventions and entrepreneurship.

WHAT IF - Inspiration: Write one sentence that describes a way that your project dares to ask, "WHAT IF?"

What if there was no slave trade? How would Africa look like today? Is it not sad that a group of people do not know their heritage? Is it still possible to bring back our brothers and sisters who want to come back home?
About Project

Problem: What problem is this project trying to address?

The importation of slaves from Africa to the rest of the world was outlawed in 1807 but was only realized in 1860s because of the continued demand for plantation labor. This unfair trade benefitted countries that participated in stripping Africa of its natural and human resources. Over the years, Africa has lagged behind in all facets of development. Also the descendants of slaves although recently granted human liberties still remain vulnerable

Solution: What is the proposed solution? Please be specific!

Firstly, using cutting edge technology to identify the lineage of people of African origin, we will be able to re-unite them to their tribes in Africa. Secondly, we shall help re-integrate them back into African societies if only they choose to, for them to contribute towards the development of Africa. Thirdly, we shall help the re-integrated individuals to either acquire jobs or create jobs through entrepreneurialism and social enterprise development. The root cause of the problems faced by Africans in Africa and in World will be addressed through the breaking the chains and unity campaigns. These activities will impact lives in the World and create an environment for the development of Africa in a sustainable way.
Impact: How does it Work

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.
Sustainability

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.
Team

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
Background
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.

Leadership and the Unilever Awards
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