The members of the Ninth Annual National Model African Union Conference UA delegation are, from left: Enoch E. Damson, associate professor of computer information systems; Evelyn Asante Yeboah and Chris Opoku-Agyeman, public administration; Simon Ofosu, finance; Yakubu Tahiru and Richard Nimoh, geography and planning; Twum Eric Barimah, chemistry; and Cedric Duah, civil engineering.
The National Model African Union invited a delegation from The University of Akron to its ninth annual conference held at Howard University, Washington, D.C., Feb. 24 to 27.
Led by Enoch E. Damson, associate professor of computer information systems, the UA delegation was among 44 from 30 universities across the United States and also one from Canada, each representing a different African state. UA represented the Republic of Mozambique.
UA student delegates by committee include: Chris Opoku-Agyeman, Assembly of Heads of State and Government; Twum Eric Barimah, Executive Council; Cedric Duah/Simon Ofosu, Committee on Union Government; Richard Nimoh, Technical Committee on Economic Matters; Evelyn Asante Yeboah, Technical Committee on Social Matters; and Yakubu Tahiru, Peace and Security Committee. Damson, faculty adviser for the UA African Students Association, served as a member of the conference Crisis Control Group.
Real life issues and possible solutions
"The model is essentially a simulation of the proceedings of the African Union," says Damson. "It provides a unique opportunity for university and college students to study the role, structure and performance of the African Union in the search for solutions to key economic, social and political-security issues facing the African continent."
Through simulation, augmented by briefings at the African Embassies in Washington, D.C., Damson explains that students gain a better understanding of the various determinants, capabilities and constraints that shape the domestic and foreign policies of African countries as well as the patterns of cooperation and conflict that characterize intra-African diplomacy.
After a two-month period of research and discussions with faculty adviser Damson, the UA delegation presented six resolutions at the conference on issues including conflict resolution pertaining to elections, international and transnational conflicts in Africa, triple therapy treatment for HIV/AIDS in Africa, food policy and trade, economic resolutions and policies, and land disputes in Africa.
Through debate, regulated and unregulated caucusing and deliberations in various committees, decisions and amendments were made on resolutions, through the supervision and direction of faculty advisers acting through different committees, Damson says.
Student resolutions heard
"The University of Akron delegation was able to get resolutions through the Peace and Security committee and the Committee on Social Matters to the Assembly of Heads of State on the final day for the session's final vote," says Damson, adding that those resolutions were on the triple therapy treatment for HIV/AIDS in Africa and conflict resolution pertaining to elections.
Conference highlights included keynote addresses from Honorable Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth, Government of Southern Sudan Mission to the United States, and His Excellency Daouda Diabate, Ambassador, Embassy of the Republic of Cote D’Ivoire, Washington, D.C.
Media contact: Denise Henry, 330-972-6477 or henryd@.uakron.edu.