The African Concept of Personhood and its Relevance to Respect for Human Life and Dignity in Africa and the Global Context

Abstract

In the current context of dynamic changes in all aspects of life, Africa is besieged by many challenges that require home-made solutions. One of the most outstanding challenges that the continent faces is the overwhelming negation and neglect of some of the indigenous knowledge systems that would offer great and long lasting building blocks for the diverse communities. Besides, Africa remains a by-the-way in most crucial global issues; a consumer (willing or unwilling) of formulations and inventions that lack in relevance and support to the local contexts. This is due to lack of the appreciation of the fact that the continent, with the abundance in its social and cultural formulation through the ages has what it takes to define and redefine the world in ways that are positive and human enhancing. It is in this regard that the concept of Personhood stands out as offering us the central locus in all dealings; a concept that cannot be limited to the modern forms of disciplines as studies and taught at the different formal institutions, but rather, lived and experienced; offering us a foundation upon which we can build answers to the questions that confront the continent for its posterity.