Inspiration

Fulfilling Our Purpose

We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. – Romans 8:28 NIV

 

Sometimes it can be difficult to live out our life’s purpose. We have a choice to either remain in the current situation or move on. Having gratitude can also assist us in achieving our life’s goals. All we have to do is make sure we are surrounded by thankful hearts rather than hostile ones, and be careful to surround ourselves with individuals who can have a great impact on our lives and encourage us to succeed. Since we are “formed in the image” of God in many ways, the wonderful future that awaits all people in the very Kingdom or Family of God is virtually beyond human conception. If we are willing to submit to Him, He will work with us. He is forming and reshaping us. He will continue to impart wisdom to us throughout time, but we must be prepared to humbly dedicate ourselves to God and actively seek out His will for our life.

Realizing why we were created is the simplest definition of fulfilling our purpose. Vision is sparked and developed by purpose, and passion is then fed by vision. Success is a byproduct of passion. Everything on earth was designed for a purpose including us, thus, it is our job to identify and move to achieve our mission. Everyone has a purpose in life. Our existence in this world and our birth are neither accidental nor the result of chance. The fact that no two persons on earth have the same fingerprints serves as proof that the world needs what we alone can provide.

Although our purposes differ from person to person, our main objective is to exalt God. Here are some actions we can do right away to start living out our God-given purpose.

 

  •  Become accessible to Him

We must first make ourselves available for God to use if we are to accomplish our purpose. We may occasionally have to take actions we are not prepared to take if we allow the Holy Spirit to guide us. It could need stepping outside of our normal routine, but when we do so, let us keep in mind that we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength (Philippians 4:13).

 

  •  Examine our abilities.

God grants us spiritual gifts, but often our purpose calls for us to use the abilities and skills we were born with. We need to take some time to consider the things we do well, and consider how we may use those abilities, resources, and talents to exalt God.

 

  •  Consider several options.

We will likely discover certain areas in which we need improvement as we evaluate our abilities. We should not let what we perceive to be inherent incapability keep us from doing new things. Our mission can occasionally be found in hidden talents. Given the variety of ministries available within the church, it is a wonderful place to try new things. It should be our mission to test out new ministries.

 

  • Ask God to reveal our purpose in prayer.

Let us ponder it in prayer. Ask God to disclose our unique calling. Ask Him to reveal to us how we might accomplish our purpose. We will eventually need to remind ourselves of our goals and the calling that God has placed on our lives.


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Forgiveness and Reconciliation

“He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” Psalm 103:10-12 NIV

 

Who has never been harmed by the remarks or deeds of some other? Perhaps your spouse had an affair, your father continuously berated you as a child, or you went through a tragic experience like being physically or emotionally molested by a family member. If you do not practice forgiveness, you can be the one who suffers the most from these wounds, leaving you with lingering sentiments of resentment and wrath. You can embrace joy, serenity, hope, and thankfulness by practicing forgiveness. Think about the path to emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being that forgiveness can take you.

To each person, forgiveness means something different. To let go of bitterness and thoughts of revenge is necessary, though. Although the act that injured or offended you might still be with you, forgiving the offender might assist loosen its hold on you and help you break free from their grasp. Even feelings of comprehension, compassion, and love for the person who injured you might arise after you have forgiven them. While it does not imply erasing or dismissing the hurt done to you or making amends with the offender, forgiveness does create a sense of calm that makes it easier to move on with your life.

 

Photo source: Magda Ehlers


When someone you truly love hurts you, it might make you angry, upset, and unstable. Grudges can develop into feelings of hatred, revenge, and animosity if you focus on upsetting occasions or circumstances. You risk being overcome by your resentment or desire for revenge if you let negative emotions overpower happy ones. Even though you harbor resentment, you can develop greater forgiveness skills because doing so has many advantages. Some of the benefits include improved mental health, healthier relationships, less stress, anxiety, and aggression.

Forgiveness can result in reconciliation if the hurtful occurrence involved a person with whom you otherwise value your relationship. However, this is not always the case. If the perpetrator has passed away or refuses to communicate with you, reconciliation might not be feasible. In other instances, reconciliation might not be suitable. However, even if it is impossible, forgiveness is still a possibility.


You will stop defining your life by the ways you have been wronged as you let go of your grudges. Keep in mind, though, that you can not make someone forgive you. Others must forgive at their own pace. Whatever occurs, commit to treating people with respect, understanding, and compassion.

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Avoiding Office Conflict

“A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.” – Proverbs 15:18

Anywhere there is human connection, conflict must inevitably exist. However, some confrontations cannot be avoided, which is why every employee needs to be familiar with conflict resolution techniques. Teams must cooperate, and disagreements must be kept to a minimum if an organization is to grow and advance. People are special, so we frequently tend to respond to situations differently. Small disagreements can, however, balloon into larger ones if they go unresolved. Therefore, all parties concerned in any problem topic must present on an open platform to address difficulties and find a solution to avoid such workplace confrontations.

Conflict at work is characterized as a significant disagreement of opinion that exists at the workplace. It could begin with a straightforward grievance or simply a difference of opinion. Many times, these problems either get better over time or go away on their own.

When discussing the root causes of problems at work, backbiting, gossip, and choosing sides, which frequently results in partiality, are some of the worst offenders. It is a recipe for disaster in the job to support someone solely because they are your friend rather than based on their deeds or character. Influencing and pushing views on employees rather than being flexible can be problematic for employers and team leaders alike. Team members may retain grudges against their boss. Additionally, if team members’ duties and skills are not compatible, it may cause friction and hinder the attainment of the company objectives.

 

Photo source: Yan Krukov



There are many ways to prevent conflict in the workplace as well as methods for effective conflict resolution. Below are a few guidelines to follow.

 

● Define acceptable conduct.

This is the first action to take if we want to decrease the frequency of disagreements at work. Standard operating procedures, operating policies, and even dress rules should all be stated in detail in a document that is kept in the office. Additionally, it must define what constitutes inappropriate conduct in simple, comprehensive terms. We cannot hold people accountable for wrongdoing if they do not know what is appropriate or inappropriate.

 

● Communicate.

When expressing our ideas at work, we must be careful to utilize exact and plain language. We must avoid taking the chance of being misinterpreted. Also, we must make sure the setting is appropriate before giving a speech or a presentation.

 


● Encourage employees with kindness.

We must make sure that our input is constructive when giving it to coworkers or team members. People around us, especially if we are team leaders, should know that we appreciate their efforts and want to see them succeed. Positive feedback would motivate the rest of the team to follow suit.

 

● Humor never does anyone any harm.

Let us make an effort to be humorous at work. This is yet another excellent means of preventing problems at work. Let us encourage some lightheartedness at work for team leaders and managers. We do not want our staff to get overworked just because they cannot take a break. In the end, we would have underproductive employees and a failing company. Starting our meetings with entertaining ice breakers or a hilarious joke is one way we can make this work. We could occasionally even send an email to the entire department simply for laughs.

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Staying Calm In The Midst of a Storm

“Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress. He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven. Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind.” – Psalm 107:28-31 NIV


If we wish to maintain our composure throughout a storm, we must accept the fact that some storms are unavoidable. We still experience life’s storms even if we follow and obey Jesus. God has not guaranteed us a faultless existence because we are all susceptible to this fallen world, but He has promised to stay by our sides during our trials. Of course, following Christ has many advantages: tranquility, joy, atonement, freedom, and the list goes on. Even though we will experience storms in this life, those storms do not prevent us from reaping the rewards of our faith in Christ. The storm cannot keep us from Christ’s calm, yet following Him does not exempt us from it. The serenity we seek amid our storms does not originate with the passing of the storm; rather, it originates with God. Jesus frankly reveals to us:


“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 ESV)


We occasionally face difficulties or events like storms. Life’s storms are challenging situations that we encounter in our walk with the Lord. Storms might take the shape of illness, financial difficulty, family issues, etc. It may begin to feel as though God is dozing off when we are frantically pleading to Him during times of trouble.

 

Photo source: Josh Sorenson

 

We may be interested in how the storms we may be facing today are impacting our faith, and we wonder if we are so focused on the physical danger that we are ignoring how the storm is gradually changing our perspective of God. Storms have a way of reminding us that we are not in control, and then we forget that God is. Things we used to not even question or worry about are now nervously keeping us up at night.

Here is the reality that we must accept if we wish to stay calm during a storm. Even when everything went as we wanted it to, we were never in charge, and the same God who is in charge of our prosperous seasons is also in charge of our trying seasons.
Life’s storms cannot divert us from understanding who our God is if we want to remain peaceful in them.


We must be careful not to let the storm make us lose sight of the fact that God is greater and deserving of our all.

Are you facing any storms in your life and want to share them with us? Leave your messages in the comment below. Share this with family and friends who may need it too.

Overcoming Lust

The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. – Romans 8:6 NIV

 

To feel passion or sexual desire is quite normal. Your emotions can be centered on a certain individual, or you might find yourself pulled to things like masturbating or watching porn. These desires, however, might occasionally be excessive or unwelcome. There are things you may do to handle those uncomfortable thoughts and feelings if you just can’t seem to get rid of them. Your doctor or a counselor can assist if you’re having trouble handling it on your own.

Lust is a psychological phenomenon that causes an overwhelming desire for something or a situation even though the desirer already has a sizable amount of the object in question. While comparable to passion, lust differs from passion in that the former inspires people to pursue charitable objectives while the latter does not.

Here are some pointers for overcoming lust.

  • Establish limits for yourself

You can better control your desires by avoiding temptations. For instance, acquire an application or internet extension to block enticing websites if you’re prone to viewing porn every time you’re on your computer. Alternatively, if you are having trouble controlling your sexual urges toward a certain individual, try to spend as little time as possible with them. It may be more difficult to resist sexual cravings if your behavior is more widely known.

  1. Consider using your computer in a public area rather than by yourself in your room, such as a park bench or coffee shop.
  2. Bring a friend with you if you’re going to a bar or the beach so they can keep you busy and diverted from people-spotting.
  3. Avoid looking at their social media or attempting to attract their attention if you have feelings for a particular person.

 

  • Discover your triggers

It is simpler to regulate your urges if you are aware of them. Consider what’s happening the next time you feel lustful. Do you, for instance, have more erotic thoughts while you are bored or under stress? What happens when you are around particular individuals or in particular settings (like at the beach or a bar)? Make a list of the things that you notice seem to bring up those undesirable thoughts and sensations, and jot down some suggestions for how to handle those triggers.

      1. For example, if you notice that your lustful thoughts occur more frequently when you are bored, find activities to keep your mind occupied. When doing monotonous chores like folding clothes, try listening to music or a fascinating podcast.

      2. You might become aware that you’ve been using sexual ideas or actions as a stress reliever. Make it a goal to develop better habits and new coping mechanisms.

 

  • Find productive methods to pass the time

Distract yourself and let off some steam with enjoyable hobbies and pastimes. The next time you find yourself thinking about something sexual, go for a run or contact a friend and chat. Another option is to engage in creative activities like painting, music, or cooking. This will assist in diverting your attention from your undesired cravings.

      1. Instead of focusing on the person you’re lusting over, concentrate on activities that make you feel good about yourself.

Keep in mind that lust is a sin and that it breeds other sins; as a result, be deliberate in your efforts to restrain it.

 

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Starting Your Day Right | A Necessary Habit

“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” – Philippians 4:13.

 

Starting the day off well is the first step in making the most of each new day and getting the most out of your day. The most important factor in determining how well your day goes is what you do in the first hour of the new day. So, how do you get a good start on the day?

A healthy mind will always be associated with a healthy body, therefore having a negative attitude toward activities can have a significant impact on your mental health, which in turn manifests physically.

Finding out what constitutes a positive attitude and how to put it into practice may be of interest. It is largely straightforward. Here are a few strategies for maintaining good health by getting off to a good start each day.

  • Be thankful that you are still alive to experience a new day

Give thanks to God when you first open your eyes to a new day. Be thankful as you get out of bed and put your feet on the floor. Being grateful for the chance of a fresh day as you get up and begin your day is important. As the day goes on, don’t stop being grateful.

  •  Decide to be joyful

It will raise you and bring you happiness to be thankful and to express your gratitude for where you are and what you have. No matter what happened yesterday or what you could encounter today or tomorrow, make the decision to be joyful and keep it that way.

  • Seek spiritual direction for the coming day

Communicate with your creator first, then turn on your phone or other devices to access the outside world. You only need a few minutes in the morning to pray and meditate, therefore choose a strategy that works for you and stick with it; for instance, consider 15 minutes of affirmations and prayers.

  • Be considerate

Start with your own family at home and extend love and compassion to all who cross your path. Genuinely greet them in the morning, express your love and gratitude, and use phrases that will make them feel better.

  • Show love

Loving oneself is one of the nicest things you can do for yourself to start the day off well. Negativity and undesirable results are more likely to occur if you don’t love yourself because you are unlikely to admire or respect anything you accomplish.

Every day that comes along is a gift and a chance for a fresh start. It offers a chance to restart and make amends for mistakes made in the past. However, it is incredibly simple to continue with the same routine that stifles innovation or improvement. As Christians, it is therefore expected of you to start each day off well by following these guidelines. Doing so will ensure that you receive much more out of the day as it goes along and allows you to conclude the day with a sense of fulfillment.

 

How else can you start your day right? Let us know in the comments below. Do not forget to share this with a friend who may need it.

 

Unconditional Love and Joy | A Guide To a Happier Life

“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” – 1 Peter 4:8

 

Happiness is, for the most part, conditional. That means that we believe that to relax and enjoy life, we must first solve an issue or accomplish a goal. The problems can be major or minor. We think we would finally be satisfied and complete if we could simply figure out these issues and acquire what we desire. We would not feel as though our lives are incomplete or that we are constantly moving toward something. Will we ever feel as though we have arrived, even if we do manage to have everything under control? I am guessing no. Or if we do, it is short-lived. The problem is this. All of our problem-solving and planning keep us in our heads, and if we are always thinking, rather than acting, we are unable to feel the fullness of our being because we are unable to be in our bodies.

One may want to know what unconditional love is. Affection without restrictions or love without conditions, therefore, are other names for unconditional love. This phrase is occasionally used in conjunction with phrases like genuine benevolence or unwavering love. Unconditional love is defined differently in each field of study, but most experts will agree that it is the kind of love that has no boundaries and is unchangeable.

Associating with individuals who genuinely love you will help you experience unconditional love, whilst practicing joy daily is necessary. Here are some suggestions about how to properly have these.

  • Practice Unconditional Self-Love First

Before we love ourselves, we cannot love others. We believe we are not deserving of love, though, much too often. We search for love and someone to fill the emptiness in our hearts when we feel empty of it. The only way we can experience love is if we let go of the love we have accepted for ourselves. Genuine self-love is not pompous. The deepest humility serves as its foundation since self-love is a reflection of the divine nature that resides inside each of us. There is no benchmark for measuring other love if we do not first love ourselves. We feel undeserving of any other love if we do not love ourselves. After all, how can I expect anyone else to love me if I cannot even love myself?

 

  • Recognize God’s Unconditional Loving Presence

Through prayer and meditation, we can recognize the source of divine love in ourselves. That unconditional love of the divine spirit expressed through each of us blesses every facet of our lives.
“The power of unconditional love is God’s power. There is no other power.” – Rev. Hawkins

 

  • Practice Unconditional Love And Joy In Your Community

We have the opportunity to put unconditional love into practice every time we interact with people. We can recognize the enduring presence of love in the warmth and light of our loved ones and strangers. Even in difficult times or when other people test us, viewing the world through the prism of love enables us to recognize each person’s perfect flaw. Work to follow the still, little voice inside to fully accept the people, places, things, and occurrences around you when you are in the company of others.
Additionally, keep in mind that God is full of joy and loves everyone without exception.


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An Interview with Melvin P. Foote, President and Chief Executive Officer of Constituency for Africa

Many people who have worked to improve their country and the globe can be found among the Peace Corps Returned Volunteers from Ethiopia and Eritrea.  Melvin P. Foote served in Eritrea and Ethiopia from 1973 to 1976 and was moved from Eritrea to Ethiopia during that time, and like many volunteers, he had a life-changing encounter that continues to have a significant impact on both his personal and professional life.

 

Early life                                                                                                                                                               

Melvin P. Foote, President, and CEO of Constituency for Africa (CFA). Photo courtesy of africabusinessportal.com

For more than 40 years, Melvin P. Foote had worked in Africa and on African concerns. He is the founder and president of the Constituency for Africa (CFA), a 25-year-old network of businesses, associations, and people in Washington, D.C., dedicated to the development and empowerment of Africa and Africans everywhere. The goal of the Constituency for Africa (CFA) is to increase public and private support for Africa and to influence U.S. policy toward the continent. The President’s Emergency Response to HIV/AIDS in Africa (PEPFAR), African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and President Barack Obama’s Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) are a few of the US government programs focused on Africa that were directly established by Melvin Foote and Constituency for Africa.

Achievements

Melvin P. Foote worked as a U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer and instructor in Ethiopia and Eritrea from 1973 to 1976 before establishing CFA. He worked as Africare’s representative in Somalia from 1981 until 1984. He served as Director of Constituency Development at Africare’s Washington headquarters from 1984 to 1994, which resulted in the establishment of CFA. Melvin  Foote took part in several high-level missions to Africa, serving on a White House delegation in 1994 to ascertain the genocide in Rwanda, as the mission’s leader in 1994 to forge a comprehensive peace agreement, on a well-known team in 1998 that decided to seek to put an end to the war between Ethiopia and Eritrea and a member of a Presidential mission to five African nations in 1998 to endorse U.S. trade with Africa and the African Growth and Opportunity Act, as the mission’s leader to forge a comprehensive peace agreement in Sudan in 2001, and the head of a mission sent to South Africa in 2003 to evaluate the New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD), a continental program to advance economic ties and growth.

Awards and honors

The “Order of the Lion” Award, the highest honor for public service bestowed by the government of Senegal, was given to Melvin Foote in 1998. He also received the Diggs Award for Foreign Affairs from the Congressional Black Caucus’ 2001 Annual Legislative Conference in appreciation of his exceptional dedication to and success in addressing problems and concerns relating to Africa. In addition to being a prolific writer of essays and editorials that are published in newspapers and publications throughout America, Melvin Foote is an often-sought speaker on radio and television.

Impact

To put an end to the war that had claimed about ten thousand (10,000) lives, Melvin Foote traveled to Ethiopia and Eritrea in 2010 with a representative of Returned Peace Corps Volunteers which included Hon. John Garamendi, a current California member of congress, the late Michael McCaskey, whose family owns the Chicago Bears NFL team, and Circuit Court Judge Bill Canby. The delegation met with the leaders of both major parties and pushed them to think about a way to peace.

Constituency for Africa (CFA)

Melvin P. Foote. Source: nkafu.org

Melvin P. Foote who is the President and CEO of Constituency for Africa (CFA) has for many years pioneered a widely acclaimed series of Town Hall Meetings on Africa, which have taken place in several cities and towns across the United States. Constituency for Africa (CFA) organizes the Ronald H. Brown African Affairs Series and the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Annual Legislative Conference, both of which take place in Washington, D.C., in September each year. The series has persevered in offering a particular platform for Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) officials and their staff to connect with entities with an African concentration, African diplomats and government policymakers, and grassroots community leaders.

The Ronald H. Brown African Affairs Series was held in mid-September 2020 by Constituency for Africa (CFA), and one session will be of interest to Returned Peace Corps Volunteers and prospective recruits. The African American Peace Corps function in the post-pandemic Peace Corps. The collection bears the name of the late Ronald H. Brown, the former chairman of the Democratic National Committee and US Secretary of Commerce under the Clinton administration.

Along with Dr. Darlene Grant, who was recently hired by the Peace Corps as the Senior Advisor to the President to help with the strategic development and address issues of diversity in the institution, featured presenters scheduled for the event included Congresswoman Karen D. Bass (D-CA), Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus and Chair of the House Sub-committee on Africa and Global Health. Sadly, Hon. Bass had to leave for a crucial meeting, but he did attend the meeting on September 18 with Dr. John Nkengasong, the head of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to review a briefing on the COVID-19 outbreak in Africa.

The discussion was timely despite being always pertinent, but it was especially so in light of recent occurrences like the worldwide evacuation of over 7,000 Peace Corps Volunteers due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, and the resultant Black Lives Matter demonstrations that took place in many different cities across the United States and the rest of the world. As a result of these incidents, issues of racism and diversity have come under scrutiny inside the Peace Corps as well as other branches of the United States government.

The speakers and panelists presented their thoughts and suggestions for policy reforms as the Peace Corps reemerges after the COVID-10 pandemic passes, reviewed strategies for expanding the recruitment of African Americans and other minorities and discussed ways for doing so.

Melvin P. Foote’s Interview in Ghana

On Dominion Television, Melvin P. Foote speaks with Ama K. Abebrese about his career life and journey within the Diaspora. Dominion TV; Africa’s Christian Lifestyle Network for Inspired and Empowered Living.

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Unsung Heroes | A Father’s Day Special

“Children observe their parents. They unintentionally learn to do what they do and speak as they speak. To every child, their father is always right. Fatherhood, thus, should be intentional if we want to intentionally raise children who will do better than we have done.” – Kobina Ansah.

 

Our magnificent fathers need to be honored every day, not only on Father’s Day, for all the excellent accomplishments and sacrifices they make throughout their lives for us to survive and be comfortable. They are our unsung heroes, and we look up to them even as we get older.

From left: A lucky father; Mr. Charles Addico with Dominion Television’s Marketing Director Semira Seyram Mohammed and Assistant Director Bernard Asare

Dominion Television commemorated the occasion with a special Father’s Day surprise for six deserving fathers at X-Men: Mr. Charles Addico, Mr. Alex Ampong, Pastor Charles Ofori-Atta, Mr. Philip Henry Yaw Mallet, Rev. Fr. Francis Gador, and Rtd. Chief Inspector B.B Lartey. The pampering included a manicure, pedicure, haircut, and massage to unwind these incredible fathers who go above and beyond for their children and others in their communities.

Menscook, Onga, Chale Socks, and X-Men were among the sponsors who collaborated with Dominion Television to make the day a success, acknowledging Ps. Bernard Asare of the Dominion Television marketing team, who hosted our deserving fathers, and Davis Nartey Hazel, who put on a fantastic show with his spoken word, appreciating fathers.

Among other presents from Menscook, Onga, and Chale Socks, Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams presented these fathers with his book titled “Understanding the Father Factor,” which was presented along with the other presents by Semira Mohammed; Director of Marketing at Dominion Television.

Father’s day special grooming at X-Men Ghana

Our fathers are there for us not just in good times, but also in bad times. Therefore, we should constantly express our love and gratitude to them. Dominion Television’s way of demonstrating our appreciation for our fathers was this lovely treat. Thank you to all the world’s amazing fathers. We cannot get enough of you.

Watch the full Father’s Day Special on our YouTube channel below. Dominion TV; Africa’s Christian Lifestyle Network for Inspired and Empowered Living.

 

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From Fotabong, Cameroon to U.S Presidential Appointee – A Personal Conversation with Dr. John Nkengasong

From Fotabong, Cameroon to U.S Presidential Appointee – A Personal Conversation with Dr. John Nkengasong

 

Dr. John Nkengasong; a major frontline in Africa’s battle against COVID, is the first African to be appointed as the Ambassador of the United States President’s Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).

Dr. John Nkengasong. Photo Courtesy of Africa CDC

Dr. Nkengasong, famously known for his relentless battle against viruses and disease in Africa, is a Cameroonian-born virologist with over 30 years of experience in public health. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Nkengasong worked for the World Health Organization (WHO), where he was named the WHO Special Envoy for Africa.

BIOGRAPHY

Education and early life

 While he was in high school, Dr. John Nkengasong took interest in biology, chemistry, and mathematics. He studied at the University of Yaoundé for his undergraduate degree, where he met Professor Peter Piot, who pushed him to pursue a Ph.D. degree in Virology at Antwerp. He went on to Antwerp’s Institute of Tropical Medicine to study biomedical sciences. He then traveled to the Vrije Universiteit Brussel after finishing his second degree to pursue a master’s degree in medical sciences. His dissertation research was the first to describe all of Africa’s HIV genetic subtypes. Later, at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, he earned a management certificate.

Early beginnings

Dr. John Nkengasong was appointed Chief of Virology at the World Health Organization in 1993. He was in the Institute of Tropical Medicine in Antwerp’s Collaborating Centre for HIV/AIDS Diagnosis and has worked on HIV/AIDS pathogenesis, diagnostics, and drug resistance.

Achievements

Dr. John Nkengasong is a leading virologist with years of experience in public health and currently serves as the first Director of the Africa Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. He is the first African-born American to hold the position of Ambassador-at-Large and Coordinator of PEPFAR. He was the Associate Director of Laboratory Science and Chief of the International Laboratory Branch at the Division of Global HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis, and the acting Deputy Principal Director of the Centre for Global Health at the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention before joining the Africa Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC). Dr. John Nkengasong was also the Chief of the Virology Laboratory at the Department’s Collaborating Centre for HIV Diagnostics.

Awards and honors

Dr. John Nkengasong has won multiple awards for his unmatched bravery, including the William Watson Medal of excellence which is the highest award by the Center for Disease and Control (CDC). Dr. Nkengasong was also knighted by the Cameroonian government in 2018 for his significant contribution to societal health in his country of birth.

Dr. John Nkengasong earned a doctorate in medical sciences (virology) from the University of Brussels in Belgium, as well as a master’s degree in tropical biomedical science from the Institute of Tropical Medicine in Antwerp. He has received numerous honors for his work, from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for the 2020 Goalkeepers Global Goalkeeper Award, and the Knight of Honor Medal from the Government of Cote D’Ivoire. Dr. John Nkengasong is an associate professor at Emory University’s Emory School of Public Health in Atlanta, Georgia, and a member of several international review boards, such as the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Initiative – CEPI and the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI). He has over 250 peer-reviewed articles in international journals and several book chapters to his credit.

Impact

Dr. John Nkengasong served for the World Health Organization (WHO) as one of the Director General’s Special Envoys during the COVID-19 epidemic and was named the World Health Organization (WHO) Special Envoy for Africa.  Africa has evaded the scale of infections observed in other regions of the world since the beginning of the pandemic, thanks to the bravery of Dr. John Nkengasong.

Dr. John Nkengasong. Source: Afriquinfos

Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States (1994-2016)

Within a few years, Dr. Nkengasong relocated to Abidjan to work for the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as Chief of Virology. He received training in Berkeley as part of the John E. Fogarty International Center in preparation for this post. Dr. John Nkengasong worked at the California State Laboratory with Mike Hendry, who was in charge of the HIV diagnosis program. He was instrumental in the formation of the African Society for Laboratory Medicine in 2011 (ASLM).

Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Africa (2016-2021)

Dr. John Nkengasong became the initial Director of the Africa Center for Disease Control and Prevention in 2016.  He oversaw the Regional Integrated Surveillance and Laboratory Networks (RISLNET) in Africa CDC. He believes that empowering local leadership is critical to keeping infectious illnesses out of Africa.

Dr. John Nkengasong was named a special envoy to the World Health Organization’s director-general during the COVID-19 pandemic. He was in charge of amplifying the Director-General’s remarks and offering strategic preparedness recommendations in this position. He oversaw Africa’s response to the coronavirus, which included the training of a group of young responders known as the African Healthcare Volunteer Workforce as testing in conflict-affected areas and concerns with social distancing in urban slums made protecting the African people from the coronavirus disease difficult.

Dr. John Nkengasong also co-chaired the event’s High-Level Scientific Panel during the preparations for the Global Health Summit, which was hosted by the European Commission and the G20 in May 2021.

必利勁
Dr. John Nkengasong. Image adapted from Scrolla

President Joe Biden appoints Dr. John Nkengasong

Dr.  John Nkengasong was nominated by President Joe Biden to be the Ambassador-at-Large for Global Health Diplomacy and Global AIDS Coordinator at the Department of State on September 27, 2021. His previous nomination ended at the end of 2021, and on January 3, 2022, it was returned to President Biden.  The following day, President Joe Biden resent his nomination.

On March 15, 2022, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee held hearings on Dr. John Nkengasong’s nomination. His appointment to lead the United States public health program targeted at combatting AIDS in other nations was confirmed by the United States Senate in May 2022.

Ambassador-at-Large John Nkengasong has dedicated his career to global health diplomacy, working tirelessly to improve the health and well-being of people around the world. Previously, he served as U.S. Global Aids Coordinator, playing a leading role in the implementation of PEPFAR and driving its impact on vulnerable populations in Africa and elsewhere. Ambassador Nkengasong is also Co-Chairman of The Elders, an organization of eminent global citizens that works on behalf of peace and human rights. We are proud to honor him and look forward to his continued work on behalf of global health as well as his swearing-in on June 13th, 2022.

Dr. Nkengasong’s Interview in Ghana

Rosa Whitaker, president of Dominion Television, Ghana, had a candid conversation with Dr. Nkengasong, where his wife Susan Nkengasong; a Mental health counselor, also made her first-ever T.V debut interview with her husband, Dr. John Nkengasong.

In his conversation with Rosa Whitaker of Dominion Television Ghana, Dr. Nkengasong delves deep into Africa’s war against COVID, explores the idea of education as a great equalizer, and talks about the establishment of the African CDC (Center for Disease Control).

From left: Dr. Edem Adzogenu, Co-Chair; AfroChampions Initiative, Susan Nkengasong; Mental Health Counselor and wife to Dr. John Nkengasong, Rosa Whitaker; President and Vice-Chair of Dominion Television, Nosisa Doe; General Manager of Dominion Television. Image Source: Dominion Television.

The candid interview of Dr. John Nkengasong will air on Dominion Television on Sunday, June 12, 2022, at 1 PM GMT, with a repeat on Sunday 12th June at 7 PM GMT, and Monday, June 13, 2022, at 7 PM GMT.

Watch the full interview only on Dominion TV; Africa’s Christian Lifestyle Network for Inspired and Empowered Living.

You can also watch the #LIVE premiere on Dominion Television’s YouTube channel on Sunday 12th June at exactly 1 PM GMT.

Join in the conversation using the hashtag #withdrnkengasong

Visit our website @www.dominiontv.net for more inspiring and empowering content.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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