Groundbreaking
The inaugural facility and continental headquarters of ACIT will be constructed on donated land in the village of Caffeglay, Nimba County, Liberia. This village was established by my father, The Honorable Jacob Dunzuah Massaquoi, I. The groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for December 24, 2023. The day Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, an accused war and economic criminal and former President of Liberia and Charles Taylor’s National Patriotic Front of Liberia initiated a 14-year campaign of terror in Liberia which left Liberians in misery. We are using this day to bring hope and jobs for victims and veterans of the 14 years fratricidal war and destruction.
The facility will encompass classrooms, student and staff accommodation, 24 hours electricity supply, high-speed internet access, healthcare facilities, a gymnasium, sporting arena, a shopping center, a recreational hall, a farm, a hospital, and other services that facilitate a conducive learning environment and enhance the quality of life for both students, staff and the surrounding environment.
About Dunzuah Massaquoi, I
My father, The Honorable Jacob Dunzuah Massaquoi, I, was a devoted family man with seven wives and numerous children. He held a deep passion for food production, preservation, and distribution. Our father understood and upheld the original definition of food security as the art of cultivating, producing, preserving, and distributing quality food to meet the nutritional needs of the population with their best interests at heart.
As an extension agriculture worker for the Liberian government between 1950s-the 1970s, he introduced coffee, rubber, and cocoa farming to the Zoe Gedeh people in the Butuo area of Nimba County. He also served as a volunteer clerk under several powerful chiefs in our district. He practiced African spirituality and was a devotee of the God of our ancestors, Isaac, Abraham, and Jocob. He often read the Holy Bible and reminded us that there is one God, the creator of the heavens and the earth and we are his children and must serve him being humble and kind to our environment and people around us.
Why Liberia?
Liberia emerged because of President Thomas Jefferson's proposal, which recognized that formerly enslaved Africans would never experience equal treatment by their former owners in the United States. In a humanitarian gesture, it was deemed fitting to return formerly enslaved Africans to Africa to establish their own government and exercise self-determination.
While some argue that President Jefferson's proposal was rooted in extreme racism, we choose to embrace the humanitarian rationale. In line with this vision, the American Colonization Society (ACS) was formed in 1816, with prominent figures such as Francis Scott Key, the composer of the American national anthems, Congressman Charles Fenton Mercer, Congressman William Henry Fitzhugh Lee, Chief Justice John Marshall, and President James Monroe among its founders and supporters.
Despite initial challenges, Liberia was founded because of the ACS's persistence. It was envisioned as a platform to propagate American civilization through Christianity and promote black self-governance in Africa. However, Liberia's history has been marred by war, extreme violence, poverty, and a lack of essential public services.
Sponsorship & Sustainability
Our event management team seeks sponsorship and partnerships from various entities, including the United States Federal, State, and local governments, African American and multinational businesses, telecommunication companies, airlines, oil and gas companies, and more. Collaboration with historically Black academic and cultural institutions in the diaspora is also a priority.
To ensure ACIT's sustainability, we will charge an entry fee for access to event activities, including live performances, gala events, forums, and tours. Your generous contributions and support are crucial to the success of this endeavor.
We invite you to join us in this transformative journey towards empowering African youth and fostering positive change on the continent. Your support will play a vital role in achieving our mission of combating poverty, promoting innovation, and uplifting African communities. Please consider donating to our cause.
Jacob D. Massaquoi, II’ AKA DoctorRoots
Founder, Spiritual Leader, and Chairman of the Trustee Board
