
Guerrilla History West African Women's Development (Part 1) w/ Takiyah Harper-Shipman [REMASTERED]
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Nov 21, 2025 Join Takiyah Harper-Shipman, an Africana Studies professor and author, as she explores the multifaceted world of West African women's development. She discusses the complexities of development frameworks and the concept of 'ownership' in policy. Discover the legacy of Thomas Sankara and his challenges to colonial influences, alongside women's roles in national development. Takiyah also addresses AFRICOM’s impact on stability in West Africa, linking U.S. policies with local unrest and insurgencies. A thought-provoking conversation full of insights!
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Two Visions Of Development
- Development is more than World Bank programs; it's also grassroots problem-solving by communities.
- Takiyah Harper-Shipman urges reclaiming the term from donors and recognizing local practices.
Ownership As A Repackaged Control Tool
- "Ownership" was repackaged by the World Bank after structural adjustment backlash to retain control.
- Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers disguised old conditionalities as country-led ownership.
Discovery Through Peace Corps Conversations
- Harper-Shipman first learned about Sankara while serving in Peace Corps in Burkina Faso.
- Local stories—about Sankara, Blaise Compaoré, betrayal and politics—shaped her interest more than textbooks.



