AFReG 5 COMMUNIQUÉ 3

(Day One –Afternoon Session)

Innovation Hub – Education Breakout Session

Summary:

  1. Core Theme and Purpose

The session positioned education as a central driver of transformation, identity formation, and economic development for Africa and the diaspora. It emphasized moving beyond discussion to practical, collaborative action that reshapes systems, empowers communities, and builds long-term prosperity.  

  1. Key Challenges Identified
    a. Structural and Historical Barriers
      • Education systems are still shaped by colonial legacies, producing dependency (exporting raw talent/resources and importing finished products).  
      • Persistent systemic inequalities, low literacy levels, and weak alignment with development needs. 

b. Skills and Employment Gap

      • High youth unemployment despite educational attainment.  
      • Education often prepares students for declining sectors rather than emerging industries.  

c. Misaligned Education Models

      • Overemphasis on theoretical learning (“bookish” education) rather than practical problem-solving.  
      • Universities produce graduates, but not necessarily innovators, entrepreneurs, or change agents.  

d. Identity and Cultural Disconnect

      • Lack of teaching on African history and contributions, leading to weak identity and confidence.  

e. Resource and Infrastructure Constraints

      • Significant funding gaps, especially for STEM and research infrastructure.  
  1. Strategic Insights and Proposals
    a. Reimagining the Role of Universities
      • Universities must evolve into:
          • Innovation hubs
          • Research-driven institutions
          • Engines of industrialization and economic growth  
      • Focus on producing problem-solvers, not just graduates.  

b. Curriculum Transformation

      • Align curricula with future industries (AI, renewable energy, biotech, cybersecurity, etc.).  
      • Integrate:
          • Practical learning
          • Entrepreneurship
          • Leadership development
      • Introduce experiential learning models, such as transformation projects with real-world impact.  

c. Education for Transformation, Not Information

      • True education must lead to behavioral and societal change, not just knowledge acquisition.  
      • Emphasis on long-term transformation rather than short-term outcomes.  
  1. Multi-Sector Collaboration Model

A recurring theme was the need for integrated collaboration among:

      • Government → policy and funding
      • Universities → knowledge and skills development
      • Industry → innovation and job creation
      • Faith-based organizations and communities → values, leadership, and grassroots impact
      • Diaspora → expertise, investment, and global networks  

This ecosystem approach is essential for sustainable transformation.

  1. Role of Values, Identity, and Community

a. Faith and Values

      • Education must incorporate ethical leadership, integrity, and values formation.  
      • Churches and faith communities should:
          • Support education initiatives
          • Model leadership and discipline
          • Invest in people development

b. Family and Community

      • Transformation begins at the family level, where identity and values are formed.  
      • Need to:
          • Encourage broader career paths (including entrepreneurship)
          • Reconnect with African cultural identity and heritage
  1. Financing and Sustainability
      • Strong call for internal resource mobilization, not reliance on external funding.  
      • Strategies include:
        • Diaspora investment
        • Private sector partnerships
        • Philanthropy (e.g., industry engagement with universities)
      • Recognition that STEM education requires significant capital investment.  
  1. Key Takeaways
      • Education is a strategic tool for liberation, identity, and economic transformation.
      • The current system must shift from:
          • Consumption → Creation
          • Theory → Practice
          • Isolation → Collaboration
      • Sustainable progress depends on:
          • Curriculum reform
          • Leadership development
          • Value-based education
          • Cross-sector partnerships
      • Transformation requires intentional, coordinated action across all levels—individual, institutional, and systemic.
  1. Concluding Insight

The session underscored that education is not merely an academic exercise but a transformational force—one that must rebuild identity, empower communities, and enable Africans and the diaspora to take ownership of their future.

Issued at Montego Bay, Jamaica on 29 April 2026
African Forum on Religion & Government (AFReG 5)

AFReG 5 COMMUNIQUÉ 2

(Day One – Afternoon Sessions)

“From Dialogue to Systems: Activating the Sixth Region
for Global African Transformation”

Preamble

We, participants of the AFReG 5 Conference, gathered in a spirit of unity, purpose, and shared destiny across Africa and its global diaspora, affirm the emergence of a new era—one that calls for intentional alignment, institutional action, and system-wide transformation.

Guided by the contributions of distinguished leaders including Tsitsi Masiyiwa, Bishop Llewellyn Graham, Dr. Nesly Metayer, and Dr. Macaulay Kalu, we recognize that the time has come to move beyond conversation into coordinated implementation and measurable impact.

  1. A New Era of the African Diaspora (Sixth Region Consciousness)

We affirm the African Union’s recognition of the diaspora as the Sixth Region of Africa, a historic milestone that redefines identity, belonging, and responsibility.

      • The Sixth Region is not geographical but relational and strategic, encompassing all people of African descent globally  
      • It represents a formal seat within the African Union ecosystem, enabling diaspora participation in continental development  
      • The diaspora has always been central to Africa’s transformation, including the very formation of pan-African institutions  

We therefore commit to embracing this identity not symbolically, but structurally and operationally.

  1. From Vision to Systems: The Imperative of Structured Action

We recognize that transformation requires more than inspiration—it demands systems, strategy, and structure.

      • Effective change follows a clear progression:

Strategy → Structure → Systems → Scalable Results  

      • The global environment operates through systems; therefore, African and diaspora efforts must become organized, institutionalized, and scalable

We commit to transitioning from fragmented initiatives to coordinated systems capable of delivering sustainable outcomes.

  1. The Role of Leadership, Faith, and Philanthropy

(a) Transformational Philanthropy – Tsitsi Masiyiwa

We affirm that philanthropy must move beyond charity to become:

        • Strategic
        • Impact-driven
        • Rooted in African agency and dignity

Philanthropy must build systems, empower communities, and invest in long-term transformation, not short-term relief.

(b) Community, Dignity, and Care – Bishop Llewellyn Graham

We recognize the historical and ongoing contributions of diaspora communities, including the Windrush generation, whose legacy calls for:

        • Honor
        • Inclusion
        • Institutional care and support  

We affirm that the Church must:

        • Address social justice alongside spiritual mission
        • Build community-based solutions that prevent isolation and restore dignity

(c) Systems Change and Equity – Dr. Nesly Metayer

We acknowledge the urgent need for:

        • Organizational capacity building
        • Systems thinking
        • Faith-integrated leadership

We affirm that transformation requires:

        • Alignment across faith, governance, and community systems
        • A commitment to healing, equity, and nation-building, particularly in contexts such as Haiti and across the diaspora  

(d) Institutional Alignment and Global Strategy – Dr. Macaulay Kalu

We recognize that:

        • The diaspora now has an official role within African Union structures
        • Policy alone is insufficient – implementation requires organized citizen participation  

Key strategic priorities include:

        • Establishing diaspora chapters in over 193 countries  
        • Mobilizing Africans globally as solution providers, not observers
        • Engaging directly within systems, recognizing that “You cannot change a system from outside the system”  
    1. Unity, Reconciliation, and Bridging Divides

We acknowledge existing tensions between:

        • Continental Africans and diaspora communities
        • Different diaspora experiences are shaped by history and systemic inequality

We commit to:

        • Building mutual understanding and trust
        • Bridging generational and experiential divides
        • Creating a shared narrative of identity and purpose
    1. From Dialogue to Implementation

We affirm that the time for discussion alone has passed.

Key commitments include:

        • Moving from conversation to demonstration of impact  
        • Developing joint economic, educational, and health initiatives
        • Building African-led financial, institutional, and development systems
        • Strengthening collaboration across:
            • Africa
            • The Caribbean
            • The Americas
            • Europe and beyond
    1. The Role of the Church and Faith Communities

We affirm that the Church must:

        • Rediscover its mandate as an agent of social transformation
        • Engage in economic, social, and justice-oriented development
        • Serve as a platform for mobilization, unity, and institutional building

Faith must move from abstraction to actionable transformation in society.

    1. Call to Action

We call upon:

        • Governments
        • Faith leaders
        • Civil society
        • Private sector actors
        • Diaspora communities

To:

        1. Organize strategically within the Sixth Region framework
        2. Invest collectively in African and diaspora development
        3. Build institutions, not just initiatives
        4. Engage actively within African Union structures
        5. Take ownership of implementation, recognizing that “The change we seek, we ourselves must become”  

Conclusion

We declare that Africa and its diaspora stand at a defining moment.

  • The structures are emerging
  • The mandate is clear
  • The responsibility is shared

We are not spectators of Africa’s future—we are its architects.

 

Issued at Montego Bay, Jamaica on 29 April 2026
African Forum on Religion & Government (AFReG 5)

AFReG 5 CONFERENCE COMMUNIQUÉ 1

Day 1: Morning Sessions

African Forum on Religion & Government (AFReG 5)
Montego Bay, Jamaica

Plenary Session (10:10 a.m. – 10:55 a.m.)

Building Bridges: A Timely Call for Pan-African Unity and Transformation

This opening plenary sets the stage by asking powerful questions:

  • Who are we—collectively as Africans and across the Diaspora—and why does that matter for our shared future?
  • How do we see ourselves today, and how should we see ourselves through the lens of Christ—rooted in dignity, pride, and purpose?

Attendees will be challenged and inspired to shift their mindset—breaking free from limiting beliefs, reclaiming narratives of possibility and ownership, and embracing principles of self-determination, self-reliance, and interdependence.

Grounded in biblical truth, you’ll walk away with:

  • Real-life strategies that make transformation tangible.
  • Practical examples that spark confidence and action.
  • Clear steps for individuals and communities to live out a renewed, Christ-centered identity.

This is more than a conversation. It’s a call to rise together—to build bridges of oneness, prosperity, and generosity that carry us into lasting change.

Speakers
Dr. Lisa Pal (UK) 
Founder of Sankofa Collective
Head of the Racial Justice Priority at the Diocese of London

Rev. Professor Delanyo Adadevoh (Ghana | USA)
Chairman of the African Forum on Religion and Government (AFReG)
Senior Vice President of Campus Crusade for Christ International (CCCI)
Founder and President of International Leadership Foundation (ILF)

Townhall Session (11:15 a.m. – 12:45 a.m.)
Across the Waters: Bridging Africans and the Diaspora in Dialogue

We’re connected by roots but separated by oceans, history, and misunderstandings. Let’s talk collaboration. How can the Diaspora support each other and Africa more meaningfully? What can Africa give back? It’s time to close the gap.

Moderators
Prof. Ann Bailey (Jamaica/USA)
Professor of History at SUNY Binghamton – State University of New York

Dr. Rome Meeks (USA)
Assistant Professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies at Michigan State University 
Co-Founder and Executive Director of Anidaso 360

Plenary Session (12:45 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.)
Leadership for Building Trans-Atlantic Oneness, Prosperity, and Generosity

This session is a bold call for Africans and the Diaspora to rise as Godly leaders. It will confront the realities of corruption and broken leadership while lifting up stories of courage, integrity, and transformation. With a Christ-centered lens, the message will highlight the urgent need for purpose-driven leaders in government, education, the Church, business, the military, and civil society. More than reflection, this plenary is a call to action: to finish what has been started, step boldly into leadership roles, and become builders, reformers, and carriers of hope. Attendees will leave with a clear vision of what is possible when Godly leadership is awakened and mobilized for lasting change.

Speaker
Simon Wafubwa (Kenya)
Founder and CEO
Enwealth Financial Services

Plenary Session (1:15 p.m. – 1:40 p.m.)
Leading to Give – Philanthropy as a Form of Godly Leadership

Philanthropy as a strategic and sacred form of leadership. One that reflects God’s heart for justice and human flourishing. Spirit-led giving is not an act of charity but a strategy for transformation.

Speaker
Tsitsi Masiyiwa (Zimbabwe | UK)
Chair of Higherlife Foundation & Delta Philanthropies

Plenary Session (2:55 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.)
Impact in action

A segment highlighting real, working models that are creating tangible impact, moving from ideas to implementation.

Nehemiah Housing Project

Presenter
Bishop Llewellyn Graham (UK)
CEO
Nehemiah Housing Association 

Plenary Session (3:15 p.m. – 3:40 p.m.)
Remember Haiti: One Body, One Struggle, One Hope

A call to mobilize. What is the role of the global Church, Africans and African descent, in Haiti’s healing and development? 

Speaker
Dr. Nesly Metayer (Haiti | USA)
Founder
EquiLead Consulting Group  

Plenary Session (3:40 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.)
A New Era of Africa-Diaspora Partnership

Explore the African Union’s recognition of the Diaspora as Africa’s “Sixth Region” and what this means for coordinated global impact. How Africans and people of African descent can align their efforts across Economics, Health and Well-being and Education to help shape Africa’s rise.

Speaker
Dr. Macaulay Kalu (Nigeria | Canada)
Secretary-General, Africa Sixth Region Global (A6RG)
Chair, Economic Community of African Sixth Region (ECASR) Member of 6+2 Focal Point-African Union Commission Citizens and Diaspora Directorate for the Americas (AUC-CIDO)

Breakout Session (4:00 p.m. – 5:20 p.m.)
Innovation Hubs Breakout Concurrent Sessions

At the heart of AFReG 5 ADCC 2026 lies a conviction: that the time has come for Africans and people of African descent to take ownership of our collective destiny. To do so effectively, we must strategically invest in areas that create unity, shape identity, influence power structures, and generate long-term prosperity. Our focus on key Innovation Hubs—Business and Trade (Economic Sustainability), Health and well-being and Education—is grounded in both the urgent needs and the unique opportunities facing our communities.

These hubs are dynamic breakout sessions designed to move us from conversation to action, designed to be spaces of honest dialogue and collaboration. More than just discussions, they’re incubators of change, designed to spark ideas, partnerships, and initiatives that will live far beyond the conference. Bring your ideas, your energy, and let’s build something amazing—one hub at a time!

The Day’s Highlights (based on the morning sessions):
Preamble
We, participants of the 5th African Forum on Religion & Government (AFReG 5), gathered in Montego Bay, Jamaica, representing Africa and the global African diaspora, convened under the sovereignty of Almighty God with a shared commitment to faith, identity, leadership, and transformation.

We recognize this gathering not merely as a conference, but as a divinely orchestrated moment of alignment, reflection, and commissioning for action.

“We surrender our lives… we surrender our future… You are sovereign.”

  1. Affirmation of Identity and Dignity

We affirm that all humanity is created in the image of God (Imago Dei) and endowed with inherent dignity, worth, and purpose.

“God said, ‘It was very good.’ That includes you.”
“There cannot be a single one of us who diminishes the image of God in another.”

We reject all forms of dehumanization, whether external or internal, and commit to restoring dignity across African and diaspora communities.

  1. Commitment to Ubuntu and Shared Humanity

We embrace the African philosophy of Ubuntu—“I am because we are”—as a guiding framework for collective identity and responsibility.

“This is our shared identity, our shared responsibility, and our shared future.”

We acknowledge that our destinies are interconnected and that our flourishing is mutually dependent.

  1. Reconnection of Africa and the Diaspora

We recognize the historical realities of displacement, slavery, and fragmentation, as documented by historians such as Prof. Ann Bailey, whose work highlights the depth of disruption caused by the transatlantic slave trade and its enduring impact on African-descended peoples globally.

“Though we were scattered, we were never destroyed.”
“We are African. We are diaspora. We are one.”

We affirm that despite this history, the resilience, faith, and cultural continuity of African peoples have remained unbroken. We therefore commit to strengthening relational, cultural, spiritual, and economic ties across the continent and the diaspora.

  1. A Call to Honest Reflection and Internal Accountability

We acknowledge that transformation requires not only confronting historical injustices but also addressing internal divisions within our communities.

“We are not only talking about what has happened to us, but what we are doing to one another.”

We commit to confronting issues such as internal discrimination, division, and cultural fragmentation with truth and humility.

  1. Rejection of Oppressive Systems and Commitment to Rebuilding

We recognize that many global systems are shaped by colonial legacies, inequality, and exploitation.

“We are living within systems shaped by colonialism and hierarchies of human value.”
“The goal is not to rise to the top of the same system—but to rebuild differently.”

We commit to rebuilding systems grounded in justice, human dignity, and Kingdom values.

  1. Affirmation of African Identity in Faith

We affirm that African identity, culture, and heritage are not obstacles to faith but expressions of God’s creative design.

“Our theology must not erase our Blackness—it must affirm it.”
“Our identity carries memory, resilience, creativity, and spiritual depth.”

We reject any theology or practice that diminishes cultural identity in the name of faith.

  1. Pursuit of Authentic Unity

We commit to a deeper, truth-based unity that goes beyond superficial harmony.

“This is not about holding hands in a room.”
“We are called to a unity that remembers who we are.”

We affirm that unity in Christ does not erase diversity but embraces it.

  1. Embracing Interdependence

We recognize that our diversity is a strength and that collaboration is essential for transformation.

“Though the teeth and the tongue are different, they share the same mouth.”
“It is in our best interest not only to get along—but to work together.”

We commit to building partnerships across nations, cultures, and sectors.

  1. Reclaiming Self-Definition

We reject externally imposed identities and commit to defining ourselves through God’s truth.

“We do not want to be made into the image of another civilization—we are made in the image of God.”

We affirm the need for mental and spiritual decolonization.

  1. Stewardship as a Measure of Development

We affirm stewardship as a central mandate of human purpose and development.

“Stewardship is the measure of human development.”

We commit to responsible management of resources, value creation, and advancing human flourishing across our nations.

  1. Responsibility and Agency

We call for a shift from dependency to responsibility and action.

“Do not push responsibility to anybody.”
“Respect is earned through development.”

We commit to taking ownership of our future individually and collectively.

  1. Engaging the Next Generation

We recognize a significant generational shift towards greater openness, intercultural engagement, and global awareness.

“The next generation is not interested in those old divisions.”

We commit to empowering emerging leaders and fostering intergenerational collaboration.

  1. From Dialogue to Action

We affirm that this gathering is a catalyst for tangible transformation.

“We are not here just to talk—we are here to do.”

We commit to translating ideas into practical initiatives, policies, and partnerships.

  1. Building Bridges for Transformation

We embrace the conference theme of “Building Bridges” as a call to action.

“We are not just attending a conference—we are building bridges.”

We commit to bridging:

  • Africa and the diaspora
  • Faith and governance
  • Identity and purpose
  • Past wounds and future possibilities
  1. Addressing Identity Tensions

We acknowledge ongoing struggles around identity within the global African community.

“Am I Black or am I Christian?—This is the struggle many are facing.”

We commit to providing theological, cultural, and leadership frameworks that affirm holistic identity.

  1. A Journey of Identity, Resilience, and Return

We recognize this moment as part of a larger journey of restoration and reconnection.

“We are on a journey of identity, resilience, and return.”

We commit to reclaiming our shared story and shaping a renewed future.

  1. Unity in Christ as the Foundation

We affirm that our ultimate unity is found in Christ.

“One body, one Spirit, one Lord, one faith.”

We commit to embodying this unity in all spheres of life and leadership.

  1. Declaration and Call to Action

We declare that the time for passive engagement has passed.

“No more waiting. No more silence.”

We commit to:

  • Living out our God-given identity unapologetically
  • Advancing unity across Africa and the diaspora
  • Exercising responsible stewardship
  • Building just and transformative systems
  • Raising a new generation of leaders
  • Translating faith into action in governance and society

Conclusion
AFReG 5 marks a significant milestone in the ongoing journey of African and diaspora unity, leadership, and transformation. We leave this gathering with renewed clarity, conviction, and commitment.

“We are not just attending a conference—we are building bridges.”

May what has begun here extend beyond this gathering and impact generations to come.

Issued at Montego Bay, Jamaica on 29 April 2026
African Forum on Religion & Government (AFReG 5)

AFReG Position Paper on Race & Human Relations

Read it in French

Thank you for helping to build a movement of African leaders of integrity who are committed to transforming Africa into a Premier Continent based on God-centered values.

Bishop Ngwiza Mnkandla

President Emeritus, AFReG

Our Purpose

The purpose of the African Forum on Religion and Government (AFReG) is to build a movement of African leaders of integrity who are committed to transforming Africa into a Premier Continent based on God-centered values.

Objectives

  • Develop deep spirituality among African leaders that is God-centered and relevant to the African context
  • Develop a moral vision for Africa based on deeply personalized spiritual values
  • Develop a framework for Africa’s development that is holistic; touching on every aspect of life
  • Develop a framework for freedom of religion in Africa that ensures a democratic environment  characterized by peace and stability


Meet AFReG's Leaders

Bishop Never Muparutsa

President, AFReG

Prof. Delanyo Adadevoh

Chairman, AFReG

remember the past

Since 2006

The African Forum on Religion & Government began holding continental forums in 2006 in Abuja, Nigeria. Since then, three additional forums have taken place: Limuru, Kenya (2009); Lusaka, Zambia (2013); and Elmina, Ghana (2017). AFReG is a fast-growing movement with the mission of helping transform Africa into a Premier Continent—one characterized by excellence—based on God-centered values.

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