Reflection: Root Causes of Africa’s Problems: A Whiteboard Animation and a Video

WCIU Journal: Worldview Topic

September 3, 2018

by Chris Amapdu

Why is Africa poor, given all its natural resources: gold, diamonds, oil, timber?

Chris Ampadu often speaks about Africa, the pleasant continent of the world is so blessed with whatever it takes for people to prosper and succeed and yet it is most broken, impoverished and underdeveloped. African worldviews matter. View his illustrated talk at William Carey International University HERE. He gave this talk several years ago while he was visiting in the US and working on his doctorate at WCIU, which he received in 2017.

Also view this explanation in a whiteboard animation based on Chris Ampadu‘s WCIU dissertation and the content of the workshops he leads throughout West Africa.

• Africa’s problems are like a tree with spoiled fruits.

• Africa’s problems have roots in worldview issues.

    - Worldview is the way people see and understand their world
    - Africa Traditional Religion’s fatalist worldview affects societal development
    - The enemy is SATAN, not witches or demons.

• Believing LIES impoverishes and enslaves people.

Examples:
    - The gods, evil spirits, and ancestors control what happens
    - Some people are better than others
    - Widowhood is shameful
    - Work is a curse
    - Corruption is normal

• What Should Be the Church’s Response?

    - Strong biblical roots produce good fruits (truth, honesty, self-control, trustworthiness)
    - Align customs, values, and traditional beliefs with God’s Word.
    - Wholistic ministry
    - Transformed godly lives within communities.

“You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32).

Chris Ampadu holds the PhD in International Development from WCIU. He serves as Network Leader for Disciple Nations Alliance, West Africa and is the West African Director for Samaritan Strategy.