The Coloniality of Global Health and Africa’s Epistemic Dependence on The West in the Covid-19 era: Need for Decolonization of Knowledge

Abstract

The coloniality of global health and its corresponding impact on the future of Africa has become a subject of intense debate among researchers and scholars alike. Africa’s epistemic dependence on the West during outbreak of any pandemic, especially in the Covid-19 era clearly describes the place of Africa in the global health politics. This study therefore examines the dangers associated with Africa’s acceptance of epistemic rejection by the West. The study poses the following questions: Does the coloniality of the global health by the West account for the Africa’s inefficiency in providing solutions to global health challenges?. To what extent does the epistemic dependence of Africa on the West inhibit African researchers from providing solutions to the global pandemics such as Covid-19? The methodology adopted in this study is the qualitative method. Findings of the study shows that there is a strong relationship between Africa’s epistemic dependence on the West and the Africa’s predicament in the face of any global pandemic as well as other global health challenges. The study recommends inter alia that if Africa is to be relevant in the global health politics, Africans must put up a nonviolent and intellectual struggle until decolonization of knowleedge is achieved.