Long before he ever spoke a single word for the Pan-African Progressive Front, his life had already prepared him for a lifetime of political work. Shaped by struggle, community, and an early awareness of injustice, his journey laid the foundation for the advocate and communicator he has become today.
Sumaila Mohammed, a committed Pan-Africanist and economic enthusiast, has long believed in the ideals of African unity and sovereignty. Today, he stands firmly at the forefront of Pan-African advocacy.
His role as Head of Economics Department of the PPF gives him a deeper lens through which to understand, analyze, and articulate the challenges and opportunities facing the continent—a perspective that naturally enriches his new responsibility as a blogger.
To him, blogging is far more than posting content or commenting on general issues. It is a strategic platform: an avenue to explore ideas, mobilize communities, and enhance political learning among the youth and everyday Africans. Through his writing, he seeks not only to inform but to organize, building a bridge between economic literacy, political consciousness, and the broader Pan-African struggle.
Sumaila, who earned his undergraduate degree from the University for Development Studies (UDS) in Ghana, carries with him not only academic discipline but also a deep love for quiet moments of learning. In his downtime, he prefers to read something he fondly calls “a time to relax,” a simple ritual that keeps him grounded amid his demanding work.
Speaking with him, it becomes clear that his commitment to Pan-Africanism was not adopted but awakened. He describes defining moments from his upbringing that pushed him to ask deeper questions about inequality, identity, and Africa’s place in the world.
These experiences did not discourage him; they urged him to forge ahead. The more he learned about African history and global Black movements, the more he realized that liberation was not just an ideal—it was a responsibility.
This personal conviction eventually led him to the Pan-African Progressive Front, where he found a movement aligned with his worldview. Blogging for PPF is, for him, a continuation of a much longer journey—one rooted in honoring past Pan-Africanist heroes like Nkrumah, Du Bois, Nyerere, Sankara, and others, who continue to inspire his daily strive to contribute to Africa’s collective future.
As the original writer of the Economic Roadmap that contributed to the adoption of both the Accra Declaration and the Special Accra Declaration on Reparatory Justice at the International Conference of Progressive Forces in Accra (November 18–19), Sumaila brings a depth of insight and credibility that naturally positions him for this new role.
Through his work, he explains and breaks down the points highlighted in both declarations, which align with the vision for Reparations. “The idea is to break down the complexity of Reparations so that everyone understands and acknowledges its essence,” said Sumaila.
Unapologetically firm in his convictions, Sumaila has emerged as a key voice in shaping Africa’s future economic direction. Within the roadmap, he outlined three pivotal recommendations: that African states must prioritize industrialization as the backbone of their economic agenda over the next ten years; that governments should secure formal and practical ownership stakes in strategic industries; and that the continent must take full control of its natural resource extraction through nationalization.
“I firmly believe that, in the next decade, Reparations will not just be a topical issue at the United Nations, African Union, and all global stages, but an idea that is strongly pursued and yields valuable results for the entire African continent,” he added.
Reiterating that his blogging initiative was launched by the PPF under the directorate of the Public Affairs Department, he sets the theme of his agenda apart from everyday styles. He affirmed, “This new approach is to help share what we do here at PPF, in line with our mission and vision of a united, self-dependent Africa.”
Concluding the interview, Sumaila shared the urgent need for unity, collective effort, and collaboration to make the struggle worthwhile for the continent. “The Pan-African Progressive Front, though headquartered in Ghana, has affiliates across the continent and diaspora—trade unions, movements, political organizations, student organizations—all working collectively to help Africa reach its full potential. As such, I urge all youth movements, organizations, and individuals to rally around this cause.”
His story is a reminder that activism is often born from lived reality. Now, with his voice amplified through PPF, he stands ready to inspire others who share similar experiences—young Africans who feel the same fire but may not yet have the platform to express it.
With every post he writes, he carries his story with him. And through that story, he aims to help others recognize their own strength, purpose, and place in the Pan-African struggle.
