Africa@OHIO
Africa@OHIO profiles events and activities that the African Studies Program, its faculty, staff and students, are involved on and off campus.
Africa@OHIO Colloquium
October 7, 2022
Dr. Abdullahi Ahmed An-Naim, Emory University
Decolonizing Human Rights
Dr. Abdullahi Ahmed An-Naim is Charles Howard Candler Professor of Law, Associated Professor in the College of Arts and Sciences of Emory University, Emeritus. An-Na‘im is the author of: Decolonizing Human Rights (2021); What is an American Muslim (2014); Muslims and Global Justice (2011); Islam and the Secular State (2008); African Constitutionalism and the Role of Islam (2006); and Toward an Islamic Reformation: Civil liberties, human rights and international law (1990). His edited books include Human Rights under African Constitutions (2003); Islamic Family Law in a Changing World: A Global Resource Book (2002); and Human Rights in Cross-Cultural Perspectives: Quest for consensus (1992).
Africa@OHIO Colloquium
September 14, 2022
Dr. Margaret Keraka, Kenyatta University, Kenya
Reproductive Health and Health Promotion in Kenya
Dr. Keraka's research focus includes Sexual and Reproductive Health, and HIV AIDS, Maternal and Child Health, and Global Water, Sanitation and Hygiene. She is a highly established scholar, teacher and administrator in Public Health in Kenya and Africa. She is committed and dedicated to transforming the educational system in Africa, as well as support students to be their best selves as they pursue their endeavors in a global and multicultural society. Dr. Keraka has published widely and received grants for various collaborative projects. Notably, she has co- authored a book on Burden of Childhood Diarrhea from Water, Sanitation and Hygiene focusing on low-income settlements in Nairobi Kenya to examine the endemic child mortality rates in low-income communities. Her other publications have focused on Tuberculosis treatment among patients and the Utilization of Insecticide Treated Nets among pregnant women in Kenya.
Dr. Keraka has also consulted for numerous organizations in Kenya and Africa. These include the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and National Council for Population and Development (NCAPD-Kenya). In addition, she has collaborated with other universities in Kenya to develop undergraduate degree programs in Community Health and Medical Education. She and her collaborators have received funding to examine gender equity in Environmental health programs in Africa as well. Together with eight universities in Africa, she collaborated on the establishment of an Africa Academy for Environmental Health (AAEH) that has made great strides in developing an environmental health curricula and accredited diploma degree programs in environmental health in Southern African Development Community (SADC) higher education institutes.
Africa@OHIO Colloquium
October 8, 2021
Dr. Assan Sarr, History Department
Tijaniyaa Muslim clerics in Southern Senegambia, c. 1803-1996
Tijaniyya Muslim Clerics in Southern Senegambia, c. 1803-1996 is part of a larger book project which examines how three generations of Fulɓe (also Fula) Muslim clerics belonging to the same family and the network of disciples they created spread the Tijaniyya Sufi order across the politically and economically marginal area of Niumi and Jokadu (administrative districts in the Gambia), the Upper Casamance (southern Senegal) and Gabu (especially in northeastern Guinea-Bissau).
October 15, 2021
Dr. Steve Howard, School of Media Arts & Studies
The Path of the Prophet May Lead Abroad: Sudan's Republican Brotherhood Finds Main Street
This talk emerges from growing interest in the historical and contemporary phenomenon of African Muslim social organizations sending their members abroad and particularly to the United States. I have interviewed more than 100 members of the Republican Brotherhood, a progressive social movement in Sudan whose leader was executed in the 1980s, about their interest in sustaining the movement in their leader’s absence. Many members are now living in the US and trying to raise their Muslim families here and keep the spirit of their community alive.
November 12, 2021
Dr. Gillian H. Ice, Special Assistant to the President for Public Health Operations, Professor Social Medicine
African responses to and management of COVID in the context of global inequities.
There is no one African response to COVID but African countries share challenges due to global inequities in access to essential COVID prevention and treatment tools. At the same time, many countries utilized their previous experience with epidemics and pandemics to launch successful management strategies, even in absence of access to vaccines. This presentation discusses local, regional, continental and international responses to COVID in African countries and the long-term impacts of the global pandemic on the continent.
November 19, 2021
Dr. Lucky Wakantse Odirile, Glidden Visiting Professor- Counseling & Higher Education
Coping with the Impact of Covid-19: University of Botswana Responses and Recommendations
As the world continues to struggle with COVID-19 scourge, it is evident that the Education sector is one of those greatly affected. In this session, Dr Odirile shares how the University of Botswana responded to COVID-19 challenges.
Dr Odirile is the University of Botswana Director of Careers and Counselling Centre where she oversees three Units, Counselling, Careers, and job placement /graduate employability. She has served in in the University of Botswana Council which oversees the overall administration of the university and in two National boards in Botswana and is well versed in strategical thought. In 2020 after COVID-19 was announced an international crisis, Dr Odirile was chosen to lead the University of Botswana Psychosocial and Mental Health team which attended to the nation’s front liners mental health needs. She returns to Ohio University as the Robert and Rene Visiting Professor after her 2015 and 2020 recognitions as an outstanding scholar who has had significant impact and contribution in education. She has also received the George E Hill as well as trend setter awards.
Africa@OHIO News
Italy and East Africa: Unexplored Histories, with Ghirmai Negash and Dawit L Petros
African Studies Director, Dr. Ghirmai Negash, gave a talk which was part of a lecture series organized by the “Power Plant.org,” . In the lecture he discussed (post)colonial modernity, conscription, violence, and the production of the contemporary homo sacer. The lecture can be viewed at this link.
For more information, please contact Dr. Negash at negashg@ohio.edu.