Dorothy Darko Foundation Network

Dorothy Darko Foundation Network (A US-based Nonprofit Organization in Greenwich, CT)

THE FOUNDER

Dorothy Darko, the founder of Dorothy Darko Foundation Network (DDF NETWORK), was born and lived in Ghana until she was a young adult whereupon she migrated to the United States and ultimately became a naturalized American citizen. She has diverse professional experiences and has written prolifically on HIV/AIDS a topic that has been in the hearts and minds of so many in these past few decades: “Will this generation see the eradication of HIV/AIDS in Africa and around the world?” Ms. Darko has conducted extensive research in this field and strongly believes that most of the existing HIV/AIDS prevention programs, especially those taught in schools all across Africa, are not very effective because they do not sufficiently take into account the belief systems and customs of the African people. An inordinate number of students in Africa have false assumptions about the causes and prevention of HIV/AIDS, e.g., believing that death from AIDS is caused by witchcraft spells.

Ms. Darko’s research has confirmed that unless serious long-term measures are taken now a quarter of the people living in Africa will die by the year 2025 due to the HIV/AIDS infection rate. In some countries in Africa, HIV/AIDS epidemic is wiping out the most productive members of the society, killing people and destroying the means of creating economic security and growth. We will not succeed in this fight against HIV unless we engage more effective prevention strategies. The numbers say it all as reported by Alliance for HIV/AIDS: 28 million infected. Five million new infections each year. Three million die each year. In ten years there will be 48 million HIV positive African people. In twenty years, there will be 58 million HIV positive African people. We cannot medically treat 58 million people. We cannot stand by while 60 million die. Everyone in Africa is at risk of contracting HIV/AIDS. The time is upon us to embrace this not as an African problem but as a universal problem. The HIV/AIDS crisis in Africa is a humanitarian and moral imperative and prevention and early intervention should be revisited.

Dorothy Darko has dedicated her life to making a difference in Sub-Sahara Africa by developing and producing unforgettable social films about issues such as HIV/AIDS prevention. These innovative films are designed to have long-lasting effects and go beyond the discussions on treatment and cure. The films sensitively demonstrate to students and the general population that in order to conquer HIV/AIDS individuals must make significant social, sexual and behavioral changes in order to defeat HIV/AIDS from the grassroots.

To prepare for making a difference in Africa, Ms. Darko has traveled the world. She has lived in seven countries on four continents. Educated in Ghana and the United States, she studied economics at the University of San Francisco and worked for ten years as a liaison for an international law firm in Munich, Germany, specializing in licensing for pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. In her capacity as a liaison, she frequently traveled to North America, Japan and several countries in Western Europe, successfully assisting with contract negotiations. Ms. Darko’s roots, education, global experience and dedication to make a difference, has made her quite adept at developing sensitive films that uniquely bridge divergent worlds and engender trust where others, no matter how well-intentioned, have been unable to achieve.

VISION

The vision of DDF NETWORK is to empower and inspire Africans, especially its youngest people, to lead long, healthy and hopeful lives by providing vivid, compelling messages through educational, thoughtful and entertaining films. DDF Network’s cause-related and social action films strive to resonate with Africans by speaking to their emotions and souls and calling them to action.

MISSION

The mission of DDF NETWORK is to bring together experienced extraordinary people from the health, philanthropy, education and film industries to form a dynamic team that will develop and produce films that will empower Africans. For example a film that will give Africans pause, challenge them, jolt their emotions and inspire them to defeat HIV/AIDS by any means necessary and move forward into the twenty-first century. DDF NETWORK will also give meaningful recognition to African leaders who participate in our efforts as well as unsung heroes toiling in anonymity, making a difference in the fight against HIV/AIDS all across Africa.