Ouagadougou: The pan-African association '2 Hours for us, 2 Hours for Kamita', a Burkinabe civil society group, convened the 11th edition of the 'Sankor Universities' on Tuesday. This event was held in anticipation of the Kamit New Year celebration, scheduled for July 19, which corresponds to the year 6263 of the African calendar. The association is hopeful that President of Faso, Captain Ibrahim Traor, will become the first head of state to officially recognize this Kamit calendar.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the national coordinator of the association, Lianhou Imhotep Bayala, emphasized that the Kamit New Year, observed every July 19, is a testament to the scientific achievements of ancient Africa. He argued that the calendar deserves rehabilitation as a symbol of the continent's cultural identity. Mr. Bayala expressed his hope that Captain Ibrahim Traor would be the first to make this official proclamation.
Mr. Bayala stressed the importance of this initiative, noting that while the Arabs, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Europeans have their respective calendars, Africans have ceased to celebrate theirs due to "colonial brainwashing and imperialist indoctrination." He highlighted that celebrating the African New Year is an act of affirming African existence and contributions to human history. He believes that other calendars were inspired by the Egyptian-Nubian calendar, evidencing the African origins of the concept of time.
The "Sankor Universities", organized for over a decade, serve as a platform for dialogue between experts and young people on Africa's political, economic, cultural, and industrial sovereignty. Mr. Bayala explained that this initiative aims to introduce young people to Africa's intellectual heritage, particularly the legacy of ancient African universities, which were significant centers for knowledge production and transmission long before modern European schools emerged.
Mr. Bayala asserted that a revolutionary cannot afford ignorance, emphasizing the need for Burkinabe youth to be scientifically and intellectually prepared to support the sovereignty movement championed by the country's leaders.
Panelist Newlove Kushiator delivered a presentation on "Youth, Workforce and Innovation: Drivers of Industrialization", highlighting the critical role of energy, particularly electricity, in economic and industrial development. He urged young people to seek innovative solutions and alternative energy sources to sustain industrialization and preempt potential energy crises.
Participant Djamilatou Maga commended the "Sankor Universities" initiative as a tool for civic education and awareness. She noted that the focus on industrialization aligns with Burkinab¨ authorities' goals to promote local raw material processing, urging young people to harness ancestral knowledge and innovation for Burkina Faso's economic growth.
The 'Sankor Universities' form part of the activities of the Association '2 Hours for us, 2 Hours for Kamita', established in 2013 to foster intellectual and cultural sovereignty among Burkinabe and African youth.