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Bridging continents: Dal students to learn, share and connect in West Africa

Posted by Miguel Nkeng and Dawn Morrison on July 9, 2024 in Students
Fourth year Dal Health student Miguel Nkeng is one of several Dal students travelling to Ghana in July
Fourth year Dal Health student Miguel Nkeng is one of several Dal students travelling to Ghana in July

Students of African ancestry from Dalhousie University including some students in the Faculty of Health will join African Nova Scotian community members on a journey to Ghana, West Africa in July. The trip is meant to honor and commemorate the final year of the UN-declared Decade for People of African Descent (DPAD).

Miguel Nkeng, a fourth year Bachelor of Science in Recreation / Bachelor of Management student is looking forward to the trip, which he calls a life-changing opportunity.

“I was born and raised in Toronto and have never left North American soil. My father’s lineage traces back to Ghana so this trip will be especially meaningful. It’ll give me a sense of where I come from and where my ancestors come from. I feel like it will change my whole perspective,” he said.

The organization known as Connecting to Africa (CTA) is helping to facilitate the 17 day in-country experience. This transformative opportunity will allow participants to further self-development and appreciate other perspectives and experiences as people of African descent.

“Travelling to Mother Africa provides the opportunity for people of African descent to truly find a place where they feel connected and home. Reflecting on a quote that was said to many of us who went to Ghana during the 50th year of Independence by the tourism minister, ‘welcome home sons and daughters of our strongest ancestors.’ This quote will aways resonate for me as we continue to provide these opportunities to students and community members,” said Dr. Barb Hamilton-Hinch, Associate Professor and Assistant Vice Provost Equity and Inclusion.

The group will take part in CTA’s Learning Project and will work closely with local not for profit organizations to share, learn and exchange knowledge about services and resources. Participants will also visit various historical sites and learn more about the history and culture of Ghana

The journey is designed to not only learn about the people, culture, and history of Ghana but to also create dialogue exchanges and participation in several community development activities.

There are seven Dalhousie University students of African ancestry who are sponsored by Global Skills Opportunity, supported by the African Nova Scotian Strategy, and Dalhousie University; and eight participants from various African Nova Scotian communities.

“This trip would not be possible for the students without the support of Global Skills Opportunity, the African Nova Scotian Strategy, and Dalhousie University. I am honoured to be the faculty member who gets to experience many of the first with students. Not only do they grow but so do I,” said Dr. Hamilton-Hinch.

The group leaves July 17th and will return August 7th

Dalhousie students who will travel to Ghana:

  • Miguel Nkeng, Bachelor of Science in Recreation / Bachelor of Management, Faculty of Health
  • Nathan Tesfazion, Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and Immunology
  • Cameron Stephens, Bachelor of Medical Science
  • Brittania Johnson, Bachelor of Science, Major in Psychology/Minor in Microbiology
  • Eve Wedderburn, Bachelor of Medical Sciences
  • Jaiosha Hum, Bachelor of Medical Science
  • Gabriel Thomas, Bachelor of Commerce

African Nova Scotian individuals participating in the trip:

  • Dr. Barbara Hamilton-Hinch – Assistant Vice Provost of Equity and Inclusion, Associate Professor, Member of African Nova Scotian Strategy and Co-Founder of Connecting To Africa at Dalhousie University from Beechvile and Cherry Brook, Nova Scotia
  • Wayn Hamilton – Co Founder of Connecting To Africa, from Beechvile, Nova Scotia
  • Allister Johnson — Minister of Lucasville Baptist Church and from North Preston
  • Lou Gannon — Former CEO of YMCA, from North End Halifax
  • Karen Hudson – Principal at Aurburn High School, from Cherry Brook, Nova Scotia and one of the founders of Connecting To Africa 
  • Charmaine Willis —African Nova Scotian Student Support Worker with the Halifax Regional Centre for Education. She is an active member with the Black Educators Association and the Council on African Canadian Education (CACE).  She resides in Lake Loon, NS however have family ties to East Preston, North Preston and Cherry Brook
  • Suzy Hansen — MLA for Halifax Needham, from Halifax
  • Marcus James — Executive Director of 902 Man Up, from Halifax
  • Aisha Hum — Constituency Assistant from Mulgrave Park. Travelled to Ghana in 1999 and Mother of Jaiosha who is also travelling to Ghana this year