African Neurology has come of age. On the 29–31 August 2015 a landmark meeting was
held in Dakar, Senegal. Delegates from 33 African countries representing their national
neurologic societies and associations gathered to decide on the future of Neurology
in Africa. The meeting was held under the aegis of the World Federation of Neurology
(WFN) Africa Initiative Task and Advisory Force for Africa (TAFNA) with the support
of the President of the WFN, Professor Raad Shakir. The Representatives of TAFNA were
Professors Amadou Gallo Diop and Riadh Gouider of Senegal and Tunisia respectively.
During the meeting, it was decided by a majority vote to establish the African Academy
of Neurology (AFAN) as the sole representative body of the African region within the
WFN and that it would be an independent not-for-profit, private civil society.
As stated in the bylaws of the AFAN constitution, “The Mission of AFAN is to represent
and unify all African neurologists through their National Neurological Societies,
towards optimal neurological education and up to date knowledge on advances in neurosciences.
The aim is directed towards the provision of the highest level of care to neurological
patients, as well as to improve public awareness throughout the continent of the importance
of prompt and lifelong care for those afflicted by neurological diseases.” “The activities
of AFAN shall be open to all of those who work, teach or perform research in the field
of Neurology in Africa, irrespective of gender, race, language, religion, philosophy,
political opinions, or nationality.”
The delegates of the meeting agreed to be considered as the Council of Delegates of
the first extraordinary meeting of the newly incepted AFAN and voted for the Board
of Directors as follows:
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President: Professor Mansour Ndiaye (Senegal);
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President–Elect (set to take office in 2 years' time): Professor Yomi Ogun (Nigeria);
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Treasurer: Dr. Lawrence Tucker (Republic of South Africa);
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Secretary-General: Dr. Augustina Charway-Felli (Ghana)
Five Vice-Presidents were elected to represent each of the Five Regions of the continent:
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North Africa: Professor Foad Abd-Allah (Egypt)
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West Africa: Professor Agnon Balogou (Togo)
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Central Africa: Professor Alfred K. Njamnshi (Cameroon)
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East Africa: Professor Osheik Abu'Asha Seidi (Sudan)
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South Africa: Professor Alain Tehindrazanarivelo (Madagascar).
As the goal of AFAN is to achieve the objectives and missions mentioned above, AFAN
will undertake a number of activities such as the organisation of biennial Pan-African
Congresses, national, regional and international symposia, congresses and workshops
on Neurology and Neuroscience, as well as recommend basic programmes for teaching,
training and certification in Neurology. AFAN will also prepare and provide for the
widespread distribution and implementation of guidelines and protocols for the diagnosis,
treatment, rehabilitation, prevention and social impact of the main neurological disorders
afflicting Africa in order to improve the competency of neurologists working on the
African continent.
For this purpose the newly constituted Board of Directors has commenced the compilation
of data for the member countries including the number of available neurologists, specialised
neurological services and infrastructure. This data will be used to determine areas
of particular need as well as prospective local training centres.
The WFN President, Prof. Raad Shakir commended the delegates for their efficiency
and eagerness in establishing the new African Academy of Neurology and wished the
assembled delegates success in all their endeavours. It was agreed by all that Africa
in general, and African Neurologists in particular, will be the driving force in worldwide
progress, development and positive change.
Pic 1. Council of delegates of the First Extraordinary meeting of the African Academy
of Neurology, Trustees of the Task and Advisory Force for Africa (TAFNA), Professors
Amadou Gallo Diop (second row, 7th from left) and Riadh Gouider (first row, 5th from
left) and the President of the World Federation of Neurology (WFN) Professor Raad
Shakir (first row seated, 5th from the right).
Pic 2. The African Academy of Neurology board of directors, TAFNA Trustees and the
WFN President. From left to right: Prof. Foad Abd-Allah, Prof. Amadou Gallo Diop,
Dr. Lawrence Tucker, Prof. Yomi Ogun, Prof. Agnon Balogou, Dr. Augustina Charway-Felli,
Prof. Raad Shakir (WFN President), Prof. Mansour Ndiaye, Prof. Riadh Gouider, Prof.
Osheik Seidi, Prof. Alfred K. Njamnshi, Prof. Alain Tehindrazanarivelo.