In early December 2024, from the 4th to the 6th, a group of young Cameroonian public health professionals embarked on a journey that would forever change the trajectory of their careers. Gathered for the Sankofa 2024 Career Accelerator Training Program, facilitated by public health expert Dr. Adanze Cynthia, these rising stars were about to discover that this was no ordinary professional development course. It was a call to action, an opportunity to embrace an ‘Africentric’ approach to solving public health challenges.
When Dr. Adanze set out to design the Sankofa 2024 Career Accelerator Program, she knew she had to do things differently. As an African woman passionate about global health, especially within the African continent, she has seen firsthand the unique challenges faced by young professionals from the Global South. She understands that sustainable solutions to public health issues can’t be imposed from the outside; they must be grounded in the lived experiences and cultural contexts of the communities being served.
This insight is what led Adanze to choose the name “Sankofa” for the training program. In the ‘Akan’ language of West Africa, Sankofa is a symbol that encourages us to “go back and get it” to draw wisdom from the past in order to build a better future. It’s a powerful Africentric philosophy that Adanze wanted to embed into every aspect of the career accelerator. Indeed, the three-day Sankofa journey was far from ordinary. Through a carefully curated curriculum that blended practical skills development with deep personal reflection, Adanze challenged these young professionals to tap into their deepest sources of motivation and creativity. Rather than simply teaching them the latest public health trends, she encouraged them to reconnect with the cultural and ancestral wisdom that had drawn them to this work in the first place.
Participants described the three-day program as “amazing,” “transformative,” and “eye-opening.” Feedback poured in with heartfelt reflections, with many calling the training a “rare breed” of professional development that not only inspired but equipped them with practical tools to thrive. Words like “clarity,” “catalyst,” and “empowering” surfaced repeatedly in testimonials, underscoring the profound impact of the program.
“It has been a reawakening for me. I was feeling somehow discouraged before this training, but now I am more than ever determined to make it big,” recalled one of the participants.
Dr. Adanze’s focus on ‘Africentric’ solutions resonated deeply. By reframing public health challenges within the cultural and socioeconomic realities of African communities, the program challenged participants to think critically and creatively about health equity, sustainability, and localized interventions. This approach filled a critical void for young public health professionals who often find themselves navigating global frameworks that fail to consider the unique needs of the Global South.
“I am henceforth carrying this Africentrism on my chest,” explained one participant. “Adanze kept reminding us that our African heritage and lived experiences are our greatest assets, not liabilities. That stuck with me.”
Highlights of the Sankofa Journey
Revolutionizing Perspectives:
Participants were guided to rethink their approaches to public health challenges, grounding their strategies in the realities of their communities while leveraging the power of local knowledge. The Africentric approach was not just a theme; it became the lens through which every session was delivered.
Bridging Professionalism and Purpose:
Beyond technical skills, the program addressed the need for personal growth, cultural pride, and purpose-driven work. Many participants spoke of how the training made them rethink their professional goals and align them with the broader mission of improving public health systems in Africa.
Indeed, the “grateful” and “inspired” sentiments expressed by participants echoed throughout the program’s feedback. Many described feelings “transformed” and “catalyzed” by the experience, with a renewed sense of commitment to making a meaningful difference in their communities. One attendee eloquently described the Sankofa program as “amazing”—a rare gift that would continue to guide them long after the final day.
And that, perhaps, is the true magic of Sankofa. By reconnecting these young professionals with the timeless wisdom of their ancestors, Adanze didn’t just teach them new skills but helped them rediscover the very essence of why they chose this path in the first place. In doing so, they unlocked a wellspring of passion, creativity, and purpose that will undoubtedly propel these future leaders to new heights.
The Sankofa Spirit Lives On
For three days, Sankofa became more than just a training program; it became a movement, a catalyst for young professionals to reclaim their narratives and drive meaningful change. Participants left with a renewed sense of purpose, armed with the tools to excel in their careers and the vision to shape public health policies that reflect the realities of their communities.
The Sankofa 2024 Career Accelerator Training Program is a testament to the power of culturally grounded leadership. As Dr. Adanze Cynthia continues to champion Africentric solutions in public health, Sankofa stands as a beacon for the next generation of professionals who are not only ready to compete globally but to transform the health landscape of Africa and the Global South.
