Peter Dankwa on Humanism in Ghana
Author(s): Scott Douglas Jacobsen
Publication (Outlet/Website): The Good Men Project
Publication Date (yyyy/mm/dd): 2024/01/24
Peter Dankwa is a humanist volunteer for the Humanist Association of Ghana and HUmanists International. Here we talk about humanist activism.
Scott Douglas Jacobsen: How did you get involved in the Ghanaian humanist community and the international humanist scene?
Peter Dankwa: After transitioning from Christianity to atheism in my final year at the university, I needed to reorient my life without the heft of religion. Having researched which alternatives atheists subscribe to, I got interested in the philosophy of humanism. (For more on how I religion visit this post MY LAST DAYS IN THE CHURCH – https://peesbox.com/my-last-days-in-the-church/)
I was eager to attend a meeting of humanists and got the opportunity to attend one organised by the Humanists Association of Ghana. This was definitely around 2017 or 2018. After several meetings and engagements, I understood the core values of humanism and its advocacy. Humanists like Roslyn Mould, current Vice President of Humanists International; Justice Okai Allotey, Africa Regional Coordinator; and Kwabena Antwi Boasiako, current president of the Humanist Association of Ghana, inspired me to be active in humanism. Justice shared an application for the position of social media volunteer for Young Humanists International. After some deliberation and motivation from Roslyn and Justice, I was confident I could contribute my skills to the global humanist community. In July 2023, I was appointed as the Social Media Volunteer for Young Humanists International, the youth section of Humanists International.
Jacobsen: You have a lot of skills. You are a polyglot, a public speaker, and a copywriter. All of these are tremendously needed and helpful for the humanist movement. Have you been able to use them fully in the humanist scene?
Peter: As the current social media volunteer for Young Humanists International, I am privileged to engage with the general public on humanism and its activities by publishing posts on social media. Not only has it allowed me to use my skills as a content creator, but it has also been a great learning opportunity to hone my digital marketing skills.
Jacobsen: What are some of your volunteer activities with the Humanist Association of Ghana?
Peter: I have rallied with the Humanist Association of Ghana, on two charity outreaches. I have represented the association at conferences for civil society organisations. I also assist in proffering ideas, and donations, that would help the association accomplish its goals.
Jacobsen: What are the volunteer activities with Humanists International?
Peter: I am the social media volunteer of Young Humanists International. I plan to use my blog Peter’s Box to educate the public on humanism, through documentaries and blog posts.
Jacobsen: What seems like the most necessary developments for humanism in Ghana now?
Peter: Humanism in Ghana needs two things. Exposure. Exposure to traditional media. Humanists in Ghana need to make their voices heard through the digital world. Secondly, humanists in Ghana need to be encouraged in volunteerism for the ideals of the global humanist community.
Jacobsen: How can the networks of freethought volunteers coordinate resources more effectively in Africa?
Peter: Solutions are not useful for problems that do not exist. Problems should be identified first and stated unequivocally. Then solutions and suggestions would be proffered to member organisations for review, dialogue, and action. The responsibility of overseeing resolutions could be given to a department at Humanists International. This review can be termed the ‘Member Association Success Plan’, a standardised working document detailing the project deliverables and resources allocated.
Jacobsen: What resources do African humanists most need now?
Peter: As a volunteer organisation, funding is necessary to carry out the core mandate of Humanists International. Aside from the grants made available, Africa can be marked as a hub for specific humanist projects and conferences. This would add to the exposure of humanism to Africa. For example, congresses, or general assemblies, could be held in Africa.
Jacobsen: What are the most significant developments in Ghanaian humanism now?
Peter: A notable development would be regular invitations and engagement from global humanist organisations and civil service organisations. Also, the activeness of the Humanist Association of Ghana has become consistent, especially in addressing national issues; however, more innovation through workshops organised by Humanists International would greatly improve the impact of humanist efforts and effectiveness in promoting the specific ideals of Humanists International.
Jacobsen: Any political or legal issues facing Ghana currently needing international humanist attention?
Peter: Humanist organisations around the world could publicly condemn the proposed Anti-LGBT Bill in Ghana that seeks to terrorize and implicate as a crime, a person’s sexual identity. This condemnation could be both video and written statements.
Jacobsen: How can people get in contact with or support you?
Peter: You can reach me via:
Blog: https://peesbox.com/
Blog email: info@peesbox.com
Personal email: petersog64@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PeterNyarkoDankwa
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peter_dankwa/
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/petersbox
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PeterDankwa
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@petersbox/
Jacobsen: Thank you for the opportunity and your time, Peter.
Peter: Thank you for the good work. Keep it up!
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In-Sight Publishing by Scott Douglas Jacobsen is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Based on a work at www.in-sightpublishing.com.
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