From Douala to Canada: How Koum Njoh is Bridging Innovation, Community Empowerment in Canada

Theodore Koum Njoh is a prominent figure in engineering and community advocacy, originally from Douala, Cameroon. He earned a Master of Science in Engineering from Paderborn University, Germany, and moved to Canada in 2002. As the founder of PCHG Product Development Inc., a Waterworks Manufacturing company, Njoh is dedicated to sustainable solutions and community impact. Beyond business, he actively promotes unity within the African diaspora as Interim Vice Board Chair of the African Heritage Centre. His work emphasizes progress and empowerment for African communities in Canada and globally. In this virtual Q&A session with journalists, Njoh gives more insights about his vision and the way ahead.

As Interim Vice Chair of the African Heritage Centre, what are your key responsibilities, and how do they align with your vision for preserving African heritage?

As Interim Vice Chair of the African Heritage Centre (AHC), my key responsibilities revolve around guiding the centre’s vision and advocating for its realization during this crucial developmental phase. Since the centre is not yet built, my role includes leading efforts to raise awareness, mobilise resources, and engage stakeholders who share our passion for preserving and promoting African heritage.

One of my primary tasks is to champion the vision of the AHC as a cultural beacon for people of African descent. This involves presenting the centre’s mission to potential donors, community leaders, and policymakers while ensuring that our initiatives resonate with the diverse needs of African communities worldwide. I work closely with the Board and other partners to design a roadmap for the AHC that highlights its potential impact as a space for preserving traditions, fostering artistic expression, and uniting the African diaspora.
Promoting the centre requires a deep commitment to advocacy and outreach. I strive to build networks with organisations, artists, historians, and educators who recognise the importance of African heritage. By sharing our vision of a future where the AHC becomes a hub for cultural pride, education, and innovation, I aim to inspire collective action.

This work aligns with my lifelong vision of celebrating African identity and fostering unity. While the physical structure of the centre is yet to be realized, the foundation we are building—through community engagement, fundraising, and strategic planning—ensures that the AHC will stand as a lasting testament to the resilience and creativity of people of African descent.

Why do you believe preserving African heritage is crucial for both the continent and its global diaspora?

Preserving African heritage is essential because it serves as a foundation for identity, unity, and empowerment for both the continent and its global diaspora. For Africa, heritage reflects the rich tapestry of its history, traditions, and contributions to human civilisation. It is a reminder of the resilience, creativity, and strength that have defined African communities through centuries of adversity and triumph. Preserving this legacy is not only about honoring the past but also about reclaiming narratives that have often been misrepresented or erased.

For the global diaspora, African heritage provides a vital connection to their roots, offering a sense of belonging and pride in their ancestry. It helps foster a shared identity among people of African descent, bridging gaps created by geographical distances and historical displacements. This shared identity is a powerful tool for unity and collaboration, enabling the diaspora to advocate for social justice, economic empowerment, and cultural celebration on the global stage.

Moreover, heritage preservation is a key driver of education and inspiration for future generations. It equips young people with the knowledge of their history and the confidence to contribute to a brighter future. By embracing and celebrating our heritage, we can combat stereotypes, dismantle systemic barriers, and showcase the profound impact of African culture on the world.

Preserving African heritage is crucial not only for safeguarding our identity but also for inspiring a collective vision where Africans and their descendants can thrive and contribute meaningfully to a more inclusive and equitable global society.

How can the arts serve as a unifying force for African communities, and what role will the African Heritage Centre play in promoting artistic expression?

The arts have a unique ability to transcend boundaries, communicate universal truths, and celebrate the diversity within African communities. They serve as a unifying force by providing a common platform where stories, traditions, and experiences can be shared and appreciated. Through music, dance, visual arts, literature, and other creative expressions, the arts foster a sense of belonging and pride while highlighting the shared heritage and resilience of African peoples.
For African communities, both on the continent and in the diaspora, the arts are a powerful tool for preserving culture and history. They offer a means of passing down traditions, bridging generational gaps, and sparking conversations about identity and aspirations. Moreover, the arts create opportunities for collaboration across borders, allowing artists and audiences to connect and learn from one another, fostering unity in diversity.

The African Heritage Centre (AHC) will play a pivotal role in promoting artistic expression by serving as a hub for creativity and cultural exchange. The centre will provide platforms for African and diaspora artists to showcase their work, celebrate their heritage, and inspire new generations. This includes hosting exhibitions, performances, workshops, and festivals that highlight the vibrancy of African cultures.
By supporting emerging talent and amplifying the voices of established artists, the AHC will help to ensure that African artistry continues to thrive and gain global recognition. Furthermore, the centre will encourage the use of the arts as a medium for dialogue, healing, and social change, emphasising their potential to unify communities and build a collective vision for the future.

In essence, the AHC will not only preserve and promote African heritage but also empower artists to be ambassadors of unity and cultural pride, fostering connections that strengthen the bonds within African communities worldwide.

What challenges have you encountered in championing African heritage preservation, and how do you address them?

Championing the preservation of African heritage comes with several challenges, but each obstacle presents an opportunity to innovate and reinforce the mission. One of the most significant challenges is raising awareness about the importance of heritage preservation, particularly among younger generations. In a fast-paced, globalised world, traditional values and histories can sometimes be overshadowed by modern influences. To address this, I focus on framing heritage as a source of inspiration, strength, and pride, ensuring that its relevance to contemporary life is clear and compelling.

Another challenge is securing funding and resources to turn visionary projects like the African Heritage Centre (AHC) into reality. Cultural preservation is often undervalued in broader societal priorities. To overcome this, I actively engage with stakeholders—including (governments), private donors, and community organisations—to communicate the long-term value of investing in heritage as a driver of cultural and economic development. Building alliances with individuals and groups who share this vision has been instrumental in garnering support.

Misinformation and misrepresentation of African history also pose hurdles. Countering these narratives requires consistent education and advocacy to highlight the richness and diversity of African cultures. I work to amplify authentic voices and stories that reflect the true essence of African heritage, ensuring they are accessible to both African communities and the wider world.
Finally, uniting the African diaspora under a shared vision is a complex task, given the diversity of experiences, languages, and histories. By promoting inclusivity and creating platforms for dialogue and collaboration, I strive to bridge these differences. The African Heritage Centre aims to embody this unity, serving as a symbol and facilitator of collective pride and effort.

In addressing these challenges, persistence, adaptability, and community engagement are key. I remain driven by the belief that preserving African heritage is not just about the past—it is about shaping a future where the contributions and identity of African peoples are celebrated and embraced globally.

In your opinion, how can individuals of African descent worldwide contribute to the mission of the African Heritage Centre?

Individuals of African descent worldwide can play a pivotal role in advancing the mission of the African Heritage Centre (AHC) by leveraging their unique talents, networks, and resources to collectively celebrate and preserve African heritage.

Here are some ways they can contribute: Advocacy and Awareness: By sharing the vision and goals of the AHC within their communities and networks, individuals can raise awareness about the importance of preserving African heritage. Advocating for the value of the centre’s mission ensures that more people recognise its significance and actively support its iniwhetheres.

Financial Support: Contributions, whether through direct donations, fundraising events, or facilitating partnerships with businesses and philanthropic organizations, are crucial to making the AHC a reality. Financial backing from individuals and groups worldwide ensures that the centre has the resources to build its foundation and sustain its programs.

Cultural and Artistic Contributions: Artists, writers, performers, and cultural historians of African descent can contribute by sharing their work and expertise. The AHC offers a platform to showcase and celebrate African creativity, and contributions from diverse voices enrich the collective narrative of African heritage.

Volunteering and Mentorship: Individuals can volunteer their time and skills to support the AHC’s activities, from organising events to providing mentorship to young people exploring their African heritage. This engagement strengthens the community and ensures intergenerational knowledge transfer.

Building Connections: The African diaspora is vast and diverse. Individuals can act as cultural ambassadors, fostering connections between African communities worldwide. These networks can facilitate collaborations, exchanges, and shared learning opportunities that enhance the AHC’s reach and impact.

Educational Initiatives: Educators and scholars can contribute by developing programs, workshops, and resources that highlight African history, traditions, and contributions to global culture. Sharing these materials with the AHC or directly within their local communities helps to sustain heritage through education.

Celebrating and Honouring African Identity:

Simply embracing and celebrating African heritage in everyday life—through language, traditions, art, and customs—is a powerful way to contribute. By living and showcasing pride in their roots, individuals inspire others to do the same, creating a ripple effect of cultural appreciation.

Ultimately, the AHC is a collective effort that thrives on the active participation and commitment of people of African descent. Their contributions not only help bring the centre’s vision to life but also ensure that it becomes a lasting symbol of unity, pride, and progress for African communities worldwide.