We are not simply a leadership consultancy. We are a leadership consultancy within the broader context of the advancement of the kingdom of God, so people have to be equipped to build leaders based on the vision and values of the kingdom.
—Prof Delanyo Adadevoh, President & Founder, International Leadership Foundation
AFReG 5 COMMUNIQUÉ 7
Day Three: Afternoon Sessions and Closing 1 May 2026
Overall Theme
The session reframed “passing the torch” not as a handover of power, but as a collaborative, intergenerational process—where vision, responsibility, and mission are shared, activated, and expanded together.
Plenaries 1, 2, & 3
Passing the Torch – Emerging Voices in Global Leadership
What happens when the next generation takes the mic? In this dynamic session, young changemakers share bold perspectives on leadership—what it means today, where it must go, and how older and younger generations can work together to shape the future.
This isn’t just about passing the torch—it’s about sparking new fires of vision, courage, and action.
Plenary 1
Speaker
Tito Ramos (Bolivia)
Fundalid Latam Executive Director – International Leadership Foundation (ILF)
Focus: What the next generation brings + how leaders must prepare them
Key Message
The next generation is not just inheriting leadership—they are adding strategic value that accelerates and expands the mission.
Core Contributions of Emerging Leaders
Tito identifies three defining strengths of younger leaders:
Speed & Agility – Faster decision-making and execution
Global Reach – Leveraging technology, social media, and AI
Integration – Blending faith with business, politics, and culture
What “Passing the Torch” Really Means
The torch is not a person—it is the vision and mission
Leaders must clearly define and communicate that vision
Responsibilities of Established Leaders
Tito outlines five practical imperatives:
Clarify the vision (make it tangible and actionable)
Be intentional (develop successors deliberately, not accidentally)
Empower (allow young leaders to make decisions and mistakes)
Sponsor, not just mentor (open doors and create access)
Trust God with outcomes
Key Insight
Leadership continuity fails not from lack of talent, but from lack of intentional development and empowerment.
Plenary 2
Speaker
Rev. Laddia Young (Jamaica)
Youth Minister for United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands (UCJCI) National Chaplain for Girl’s Brigade
Focus: Leadership as calling + relational partnership between generations
Key Message
Leadership is not status—it is a divine calling to shepherd people into purpose.
Definition of Leadership
A weighty responsibility to guide people into identity, purpose, and God’s mission
Rooted in service, love, and stewardship
Core Problem Identified
A generational divide caused by:
Older leaders see younger ones as competitors
Younger leaders being marginalized or tokenized
Reframing the Relationship
Emerging leaders are not competitors but companions
Leadership is not “passing the baton” alone—it is carrying it together
What Emerging Leaders Want
Inclusion, not tokenism
Mentorship and shared space
Opportunity to contribute meaningfully
Call to Established Leaders
Affirm and identify emerging leaders intentionally
Provide mentorship and accompaniment
Create space for their voices
Key Insight
The future is secured not by control, but by shared leadership and relational investment.
Plenary 3
Speaker
Miheret Eshete (Ethiopia | USA)
Director of Digital Strategy at the Jesus Film Project
Focus: Practical collaboration, innovation, and global mission
Key Message
The future of leadership depends on strategic partnership between generations, especially in a rapidly changing, digital world.
Core Themes
1. Leadership = Integration + Service
Leadership connects vision with practical solutions
Must be rooted in serving people and communities
2. Generational Partnership is Essential
Older leaders provide wisdom and guidance
Younger leaders bring energy, innovation, and execution
This includes reverse mentoring (young teaching old, especially in tech)
3. Role Shift for Established Leaders
Move from control to mentorship, coaching, and empowerment
Focus on role, not position
4. Africa’s Strategic Opportunity
Africa is demographically young (median age ~19)
The future of global mission and transformation lies with African youth mobilisation
5. Leveraging Technology & AI
Use digital tools to:
Scale impact
Preserve knowledge (move from oral to documented forms)
Expand global reach
Key Insight
The combination of youthful energy + technological tools + intergenerational wisdom is the catalyst for global transformation.
Synthesis Across All Three Plenaries
1. The Torch = Vision, Not Position
All speakers agree leadership is about transmitting mission and purpose, not holding authority.
2. Intergenerational Collaboration is Non-Negotiable
Not replacement → partnership
Not succession alone → co-laboring
3. Development Must Be Intentional
Mentoring is not enough → empowerment + sponsorship + access
4. Emerging Leaders Bring Unique Value
Speed, innovation, global reach, digital fluency
5. Established Leaders Must Evolve
From controllers → coaches, mentors, and facilitators
Final Takeaway
This session redefines leadership transition:
It is not about passing a torch and stepping aside, but about lighting many fires—together—across generations.
Day Three: Breakout Session
1. Purpose of the Session
The session aimed to move from discussion to action, emphasizing implementation over ideas.
Representatives from three innovation hubs—Business & Trade, Education, and Health & Wellness—shared key insights.
A core goal was to identify practical steps, root causes, and collaborative solutions.
Inner healing and wellness (personal, communal, historical)
Outward reconciliation and collective rebuilding
Plenary 1 (9:00 a.m. – 10:40 a.m.)
Healing Generously: Reclaiming Our Wellness
Exploring historical trauma, clergy wellness, and mental health—equipping us to recognize the signs and pursue true healing from within.
Speaker
Dr. Keisha Ross (USA)
Clinical psychologist, educator, and national leader in race-based stress and trauma Owner – New Horizon Psychological Services
Core Message
Healing in African and diaspora communities requires understanding trauma holistically—historical, cultural, spiritual, and biological—and actively engaging in practices that restore wellness from within.
Key Themes & Insights
1. Trauma is Multi-layered
Dr. Ross defined trauma broadly:
Acute trauma – single events (e.g., accidents, assaults)
Vicarious trauma – experienced by caregivers (e.g., clergy)
She emphasized that:
Trauma is not only personal, but collective and historical
Communities inherit trauma even without directly experiencing the original events
2. Historical & Intergenerational Trauma
Rooted in colonization, slavery, apartheid, and systemic inequities
Passed down through:
Stories
Behaviors
Cultural patterns
This creates ongoing disparities:
Mental health challenges
Physical health risks (e.g., cardiovascular disease)
Reduced life outcomes
3. Epigenetics & the Body
A critical insight:
Trauma can affect how genes are expressed, not the genes themselves
Long-term stress (e.g. systemic racism) impacts:
Hormones (cortisol)
Immune system
Disease vulnerability
Important clarification:
“We are not genetically damaged” — but affected in how our bodies respond to stress
4. Symptoms of Trauma in Communities
Common manifestations include:
Anxiety, hypervigilance
Emotional numbness or anger
Isolation
Sleep disruption
Substance abuse
Violence or risky behaviour
For PTSD, she summarized symptoms as:
Re-experiencing
Avoidance
Increased arousal
Negative mood
5. Cultural & Identity Dimensions
Trauma is worsened by:
Loss of identity
Negative racial messaging
Internalized oppression
African communal identity (“I am because you are”) is key to healing
6. Role of Faith & Theology
A critical tension addressed:
Christianity was sometimes used historically for oppression
Yet faith remains a powerful tool for healing and liberation
Key insight:
Healing requires reframing faith, not abandoning it
7. Breaking Harmful Beliefs
She challenged common myths:
“Prayer alone is enough”
“Seeking help is weakness”
“Mental health care and faith don’t mix”
Instead:
Faith and therapy must work together
8. Role of Clergy
Clergy are the gatekeepers of healing:
Their openness to mental health influences congregations
They must:
Recognize symptoms
Refer appropriately
Model wellness practices
9. Pathways to Healing
Healing requires:
Personal Practices
Self-care
Therapy
Mindfulness and prayer
Emotional expression (breaking silence)
Community Practices
Collective healing spaces
Cultural reconnection
Honest dialogue
Systemic Actions
Advocacy
Education
Addressing inequality
10. Key Takeaways
Acknowledge trauma—but do not be defined by it
Healing is internal but supported externally
Trauma can lead to post-traumatic growth
African communities possess deep resilience and communal strength
Plenary 2 (10:40 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.)
Reconciled to Rebuild: A Commissioning for Oneness, Prosperity & Generosity
Spirit-led call to reconciliation. Attendees will be challenged to rise as reconciled leaders and bridge-builders in faith, leadership, collaboration, and generosity, ready to confront false narratives and return to their spheres of influence with radical hope and a clear mandate to act.
Speaker
Dr. Lawrence Tetteh (Ghana| UK)
Founder and President of Worldwide Miracle Outreach
Core Message
Healing must lead to reconciliation, and reconciliation must lead to collective rebuilding across Africa and the diaspora.
Key Themes
1. Unity is Essential
Africa and the diaspora remain fragmented
Divisions exist across:
Nations
Cultures
Languages
Ideologies
Call: Build a “massive, united front” across the global African community
2. False Narratives Must Be Confronted
Many divisions are sustained by:
Misbeliefs
Historical distortions
Internalized inferiority
Reconciliation requires:
Truth
Honest dialogue
Mental liberation
3. The Danger of Offence
A major emphasis:
Offence (unresolved hurt) is a barrier to unity
Effects of offence:
Division
Bitterness
Disloyalty
Loss of purpose
“Until we deal with offence, we cannot build” (paraphrased)
Barriers to development, unless deliberately addressed
On security and historical missteps:
“The problem of security in Nigeria started… we didn’t take care…”
Key insights:
Africa’s problems are long-standing and structural, not sudden
Many crises (e.g., insecurity in Nigeria) stem from historical mismanagement, such as failure to properly handle post-war transitions
3. Failure to Develop Human Potential
A major concern is the underutilization and neglect of Africa’s population, especially youth:
Millions of children are out of school (24 million in Nigeria)
Citizens must be empowered to make maximum contributions to fully develop Africa
Obasanjo stresses that:
People must be developed, empowered, and mobilized for national progress (Development requires investing in people, not just systems
Leadership must unlock human capacity, not suppress it
4. Unity as a Strategic Imperative
A recurring theme is the lack of African unity:
Africans often fail to act collectively, even in crisis
There is a need to respond “as one” across nations and sectors
And the warning:
Africa is not acting collectively across “different spectrums”
The implications:
Without unity, Africa remains vulnerable and fragmented
External forces will continue to exploit divisions
Africa’s progress will remain stalled
5. Political Awareness and Education
Prof Delanyo and Obasanjo emphasize the importance of:
Understanding political systems and institutions
Developing informed, ethical leaders
Key idea:
Effective leadership requires knowledge, intelligence, and integrity
6. Economic Development and Self-Reliance
The discussion touches on:
“We have to provide fantastic value for that money to come in.”
The need to build African capacity (e.g., technology, infrastructure)
A shift from dependency to productive engagement
The need for Africa to become globally competitive
Reducing overdependence on external actors
Ensuring Africa provides value to attract investment
7. Vision, Collaboration, and Long-Term Commitment
The AFReG initiative is presented as:
A long-term vision (over two decades in development)
A platform to raise a new generation of leaders
There is a strong emphasis on collective action:
Collaboration (“we can make it fly together as a team”)
Shared responsibility for Africa’s future
8. Leadership Beyond Political Office
Obasanjo’s life exemplifies enduring influence:
“You don’t need to remain in office to continue to lead.”
This reinforces:
Leadership as a lifelong responsibility and not tied to holding political office.
Influence rooted in character and example, not position
Overall Message
At its core, the message given by H.E. Obasanjo is a call to reimagine leadership in Africa:
“We need to know…the purpose of being involved in politics.”
Africa’s transformation depends on ethical leadership, unity, informed political engagement, and the development of its people.
It is both:
A diagnosis of Africa’s governance challenges
A call to action for a new generation of leaders to rise with integrity, competence, and collective purpose
Synthesis
Africa’s future depends on:
Purpose-driven politics
Ethical and informed leadership
Unity across nations and sectors
Investment in human capacity
Collective, long-term action
Issued at Montego Bay, Jamaica, 1 May 2026 African Forum on Religion & Government (AFReG 5)
AFReG 5 COMMUNIQUÉ 4
Day 2: Morning Sessions
African Forum on Religion & Government (AFReG 5) Montego Bay, Jamaica
Plenary Session (9:30 a.m. – 10:35 a.m.)
The Church at the Center
Reaffirm the vital role of the Church in driving holistic transformation—spiritual, economic, and social. Faith isn’t just part of the solution. It’s the foundation.
Speakers
Archbishop Daniel Okoh (Nigeria)
General Superintendent of Christ Holy Church International
National President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN)
Rev. Cecil Quamina (Trinidad & Tobago)
Pastor – First Church of the Open Bible
The Church at the Center—Communiqué Statement
The Plenary Session on “The Church at the Center” reaffirmed the indispensable role of the Church as a central institution in advancing holistic transformation across Africa and the global diaspora. Participants underscored that faith is not merely complementary to development efforts, but constitutes the foundational framework upon which sustainable spiritual, social, and economic transformation must be built.
The Session recognized the historic contributions of the Church in Africa, particularly in the areas of education, healthcare, social welfare, and leadership formation. However, it noted with concern the persistent disconnect between the continent’s deep spiritual vitality and its ongoing structural challenges, including governance deficits, economic inequality, and social instability. This gap was identified as fundamentally rooted in a moral and ethical crisis, requiring deliberate and sustained intervention.
The Session, therefore, called for the urgent reclamation of the Church’s prophetic, moral, and societal mandate, emphasizing the need for active engagement in public life and the translation of faith into tangible societal impact.
Resolutions and Action Commitments
In light of the foregoing, the Plenary Session resolved as follows:
Reaffirmation of the Church’s Central Role
To position the Church as a primary driver of holistic transformation, integrating spiritual renewal with social, economic, and governance outcomes.
Translation of Faith into Action
To promote the practical expression of faith through measurable impact in communities, ensuring that spiritual conviction is reflected in societal transformation.
Promotion of Ethical and Accountable Leadership
To advance value-based leadership grounded in integrity, accountability, justice, and service across all sectors of society.
Reclamation of the Church’s Prophetic Voice
To strengthen the Church’s role in advocating for transparency, good governance, and institutional reform, while maintaining credibility through internal integrity and accountability.
Intentional Leadership Development
To establish and expand structured leadership pipelines, including mentorship programs, leadership academies, and youth development initiatives, aimed at raising a new generation of ethical leaders.
Strengthening Unity within the Church
To foster collaboration across denominations, traditions, and regions, recognizing unity as essential for maximizing the Church’s transformational impact.
Africa–Diaspora Partnership and Collaboration
To develop and institutionalize mechanisms for sustained collaboration between Africa and its diaspora, leveraging shared identity, expertise, and resources for development.
Economic Engagement and Resource Mobilization
To encourage the Church to actively participate in economic systems, including investment initiatives, enterprise development, and financial structures that support sustainable growth.
Facilitation of Knowledge and Skills Exchange
To utilize Church-based institutions and networks to promote cross-border exchange of knowledge, skills, and innovation between Africa and the diaspora.
Adoption of Digital and Technological Innovation
To embrace digital transformation and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, as tools to enhance the Church’s effectiveness and global engagement.
Cultural Engagement and Identity Strengthening
To promote cultural exchange initiatives that reinforce shared heritage, unity, and identity among African and diaspora communities.
From Dialogue to Implementation
To prioritize actionable outcomes by moving beyond discussions to the execution of practical, scalable, and sustainable initiatives.
Institutional Integrity and Credibility
To ensure that the Church models the values it advocates, through transparent governance, accountability systems, and ethical practices within its own structures.
Collective Responsibility for Africa’s Future
To recognize and embrace the Church’s unique position of trust in society, committing to lead in shaping a just, prosperous, and transformed Africa.
The Session concluded with a renewed commitment to unity, a transformation of mindset, and decisive action, affirming that the Church must stand at the center of Africa’s development and future trajectory.
Breakout Sessions (11:10 a.m. – 12:05 p.m.)
Concurrent Sessions
Breakout I
Designed to stretch our thinking, deepen our knowledge, and challenge us to act boldly. Each session will be led by thought leaders and practitioners who bring expertise, passion, and lived experience to the table. Each breakout session is an opportunity to learn, engage, and be equipped with strategies to address the challenges we face and to seize the opportunities before us.
Director of the ACTS 11 Project at the Church Mission Society (CMS)
Rev. Dr. Stephen Jennings (Jamaica) Pastor – Mona Circuit of Baptist Churches
Summary of this session:
This session examined how Christianity in Africa and the Caribbean has been shaped by colonization, empire, cultural disruption, and globalization, while calling for a renewed, culturally rooted expression of faith.
The presenters traced the historical entanglement of Christian mission with European expansion, slavery, colonial domination, and the doctrine of discovery. They argued that while the gospel itself remains liberating, the forms in which Christianity was transmitted often carried colonial assumptions, racial superiority, economic exploitation, and cultural suppression.
A major emphasis was placed on the need to decolonize discipleship, theological education, mission, and church practice. The speakers challenged African and diaspora Christians to develop theology, discipleship resources, and leadership models that emerge from their own contexts, languages, histories, and lived realities rather than relying uncritically on Western frameworks.
The Caribbean experience was presented through several historical eras: indigenous societies before European arrival, colonial exploitation and enslavement, nationalization and self-determination, and the current era of globalization. The session highlighted how Caribbean Christianity has been shaped by resistance, adaptation, cultural survival, and the emergence of local theological voices.
Participants also discussed the challenge of prosperity theology, consumerism, secularism, and inherited colonial patterns within contemporary African and diaspora churches. The speakers stressed the need for deeper economic and theological reflection, especially where church practices reinforce individual wealth accumulation rather than community flourishing.
The session concluded with a call for Africans on the continent and in the diaspora to build stronger transnational networks, recover cultural identity, develop institutions, and collaborate in shaping a Christianity that is biblically faithful, culturally grounded, socially transformative, and free from colonial captivity.
2. Faith and Finance: Who said Christians got to be broke?
1. Africa Rising: Innovation, Opportunity & Continental Solutions—How to Utilize AI and Other Tools
Speaker
Miheret Eshete (Ethiopia | USA)
Director of Digital Strategy at the Jesus Film Project
Summary of this session:
Miheret Eshete presented AI as both a major opportunity and a serious responsibility for Africa, the Church, and the global mission movement. He argued that AI is not merely a business tool, but a potential accelerator for evangelism, translation, education, healthcare, agriculture, and African-led innovation.
He opened with a personal story of using ChatGPT during an Uber ride in California to translate between English and Armenian, enabling a gospel conversation and prayer with the driver. This illustrated his central point: AI can remove language barriers and make ministry more immediate, personal, and accessible.
A major theme was AI as a tool for translation and mission. Miheret highlighted how AI can dramatically reduce the time and cost of Bible and gospel-content translation. He noted that while AI-generated translation is not final or perfect, it can create a strong first draft that human translators and theologians can refine.
He also clarified what AI is and is not. AI predicts and generates patterns from data; it can accelerate work, assist with administration, and amplify human intention. However, it is not human, not wisdom, not spiritual, and cannot replace prayer, pastoral care, discernment, or the Holy Spirit.
Miheret warned that AI systems are not neutral. They reflect the worldview, data, and priorities of those who build them. Because most AI is trained on Western and English-language data, Africa risks being underrepresented unless Africans intentionally create, document, publish, and contribute their own knowledge, languages, values, and research.
He described AI as a major equalizer for Africa. Since the technology is still new globally, African nations, churches, businesses, and diaspora communities have a rare opportunity to move early rather than play catch-up. He highlighted African opportunities in healthcare, agriculture, education, ministry, language translation, and AI infrastructure, such as data centers, computing power, connectivity, and energy.
For the Church, Miheret argued that AI should be used to advance the Great Commission. With billions of smartphones worldwide, he sees AI-powered tools as a way to help believers share Jesus across language, cultural, geographic, and political barriers. He also encouraged churches to use AI for contextualized content, live translation, and digital discipleship.
At the same time, he raised ethical and pastoral concerns. These include emotional dependency on AI, therapy and companionship use cases, plagiarism, sermon preparation, copyright, data privacy, mental health risks, and the danger of allowing AI to replace human relationships or spiritual discernment.
In the Q&A, Miheret addressed contextualization, explaining that AI can produce more culturally appropriate images, videos, and content when given strong reference materials, clear prompts, and guidance from artists or cultural experts. He also explained that Africa’s low share of AI research is partly connected to the fact that much African knowledge is oral rather than written or digitized. He urged African leaders, pastors, universities, and strategists to turn their visions, knowledge, and theology into text, media, and research that AI systems can learn from.
Key takeaway: AI is a powerful but imperfect tool. Africa and the African Church should not fear it or passively consume it, but actively shape it, govern it, contextualize it, and use it for continental transformation and gospel mission.
2. Remember Haiti: One Body, One Struggle, One Hope—Part II
Moderators
Dr. Michel Ferdinand
Physician Specialist – Hunterdon Development Center
Dr. Mirlande Butler
Co-founder & Executive Director – Eritaj Foundation
Issued at Montego Bay, Jamaica, 30 April 2026 African Forum on Religion & Government (AFReG 5)
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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
We need to:
Encourage broader career paths (including entrepreneurship)
Reconnect with African cultural identity and heritage
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
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.
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.
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”
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
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
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.
Call to Action
We call upon:
Governments
Faith leaders
Civil society
Private sector actors
Diaspora communities
To:
Organize strategically within the Sixth Region framework
Invest collectively in African and diaspora development
Build institutions, not just initiatives
Engage actively within African Union structures
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
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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. 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.
12. 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.
13. 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.
14. 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
15. 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.
16. 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.
17. 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.
18. 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 African Forum on Religion & Government (AFReG 5)
For more information on TraNet, email: ILF@transformingleadership.com
Equip and Empower
TraNet equips and empowers followers of Jesus Christ to lead Christ-centered transformation in specific spheres of society.
Christ-like Transformation
TraNet expects to bring about a release of labor, influence, finance and expertise for missions that will ultimately lead to Christ-like transformation of all segments of society.
Each Domain of Society
TraNet equips leaders to actively engage in Christ-centered transformation in each domain of society:
BUSINESS
EDUCATION
FAMILY
GOVERNMENT
SPORTS, ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
RELIGION
MEDIA
“The Great Commission is not a shift from focusing on blessings in the now to eternal spiritual blessings reserved for the age to come; it prioritizes the spiritual and eternal but is supposed to encompass all other spheres of life in the present as well as in the future.”
—Delanyo Adadevoh, President, International Leadership Foundation
DO YOU WANT TO BE A PART OF TRANSFORMING SOCIETY? TraNet CAN HELP YOU.
TraNet 