Vice Chancellor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, 
University of Ghana

"From Margins to Mainstream: Elevating African Knowledge Systems"
 

This lecture emphasizes the need for African scholars to reclaim knowledge production, which has historically been dominated by the Global North. It discusses the significance of multilingualism and sociolinguistic theories, highlighting the challenges posed by "Academic Apartheid," where publishing dynamics favor white scholars over their African counterparts. I reference two recent publications that explore these themes and advocate for a shift towards recognizing and valuing African epistemologies. The lecture underscores the importance of creating an equitable research environment and addressing funding disparities, particularly for African women scholars. Ultimately, it calls for a concerted effort to elevate African knowledge systems and ensure that they are respected and integrated into global academic discourse.