DNA TECHNOLOGY A TOOL FOR PAN AFRICAN UNITY

Since 2003, private DNA testing for peoples of African Ancestry has been available in the United States . The primary provider of the tests is a privately owned company named AFRICAN ANCESTRY. It was founded and owned by Dr Rock Kittles an African American and Gina Paige. Two types of tests are available.

(1 ) The MITOCHINDRA DNA test traces ancestry matrilinealy while
(2) The Y CHROMOSOME DNA test traces it patrilineally.

The essence of the test is to enable Africans all over the world especially African Americans to trace their roots in Africa. The project is a collaboration of Prof. Deadria Farmer-Paellmann (Professor of Law at the Southern New England School of Law and the Pan African Strategic and Policy Research Group (PANAFSTRAG) and the American Black Congressional Caucus.

* Prof. Deadria Farmer-Paellmann

The goal of CBAAC is to build a global data base for all peoples of African ancestry by ensuring that the DNA test is conducted among Africans in the Diaspora. Considering his antecedents as a Pan Africanist per excellence it is expected that the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo will grant honorary citizenship to any Diaspora African whose ancestry is traced to any part of Nigeria . Other African countries would be encouraged to do the same.

Objectives/Benefits

(1) A Tool for Building the Bridge Towards Pan African Unity

CBAAC believes that Diaspora Africans will be more favourably disposed to the Pan Africanist agenda and would be readily encouraged to contribute to the development of continental Africa if they could trace their root to specific countries and ethnic groups in Africa.

For instance, Oprah Winfrey (a popular American television talk show star) recently took such a DNA test which identified her as a Zulu from South Africa. She subsequently contributed millions of dollars to build schools for Zulu girls in South Africa. Her action is just one example of the potential outcome that could result from utilizing DNA in the effort for Pan Africa Unity and the development of Africa. Professor Farmer-Paellmann took the test and learnt that her grand parents were from the Mende of Sierra Leone who were known for their rice growing skills during the time of transatlantic slave trade. For this reason, they were enslaved and brought to what is known today as Gullah country in South

Carolina ­noted for producing many renowned rice farmers before cotton took over.

(2) Enhancement of the Goals of the Sixth Region of the African Union .

The honorary citizenship programme, if embraced by the A.U. could be the much needed catalyst for greater co-operation between Africans at home and in the Diaspora. It could actually engender cultural education by encouraging Diaspora Africans to learn more about their places of origin

and may also want to explore ways of participating in the development of such areas.

(3) Acceleration of African Development

It will foster economic development of Africa as a result of increased economic interaction between African Nationals and Africans in Diaspora. This will lead to greater business and commercial partnership and opportunities for African entrepreneurs.

(4) Boost Foreign Exchange Earnings for Africa

It will boost international trade especially between continental and Diaspora Africans. The Foreign exchange potentials of this cannot be over emphasized.