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By Grace Princess Tarwo GNA
Accra, July 24, GNA – As part of the Pan
African Theater (PANAFEST) and Emancipation Day celebrations, the
The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) on Wednesday laid wreaths in memory of Africans
heroes who have contributed to Pan-Africanism and Africa's development.
The wreath laying ceremonies were held at
the William Edward Burghardt Du Bois Center, then to the George Padmore Library
and finally to Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park.
Dr. Ziblim Barri Iddi, Deputy Minister,
Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture said that since 1998, Ghana was the only
Africa country celebrating Emancipation Day each year.
He said that the celebration started with a
campaign to abolish the slave trade, adding that the campaign was successful
the adoption of the law to abolish the slave trade in 1806 and took effect from
January 1st, 1808.
The celebration of the day of emancipation, he
said, was a reminder to Africans that everyone deserved to have their
freedom, treated fairly and respected.
Barri Iddi said that this year's theme,
"Beyond 400 years: aiming for the future from one continent to another" was appropriate
for commemoration in remembrance of the horrors of the slave trade and
slavery as well as the individuals who fought against the atrocities of those
days.
He said the ministry is trying to bring out the
the history of Africa and the experiences of its people, using the vehicle of
African culture as well as a forum to promote unity among Africans on the
continent and those of the diaspora.
He urged Ghanaians to support the
"The government's agenda beyond Ghana's help through the emancipation process".
It was therefore necessary to train
ties with Africans in the diaspora and constantly remember
are all Africans, no matter where they live, he said.
Mr. Akwasi Agyeman, General Manager of GTA
Officer, said the ceremony was a celebration of family reunion and Africa
liberation, and that Ghana would continue to celebrate the day of emancipation
cement its pan-African heritage and celebrate its pioneers of Pan-Africanism.
There were messages of solidarity from Mr.
Akwasi Awuah Ababio, Director, Diaspora Affairs; Professor Esi Sutherland Addy,
Panafest Secretariat; Ms. Gail Nikoi, President of the African-American Association
from Ghana; and Stephanie S Sullivan, United States Ambbadador to Ghana.
Dr. Thomas Mensah, engineer, inventor and a
Diasporan, in his speech, said that no matter what the Africans went through, they
get up and everyone, including those from the diaspora together go to help
develop Africa.
He said: "Africans would create their own
Disney World which would be located at the african attractions park in Ghana as
a tourist attraction.
He said that there would be film screenings at
park describing the journey of slaves from Ghana's coastal castles through
to the island of Goree and finally to the United States of America.
"It would come back on the path taken by
slaves and revive memories in a grand style celebrating "freedom
Blacks ".
Dr. Mensah advised Africans to believe in
themselves and note that "good things also come in black", citing his
new book to be issued shortly containing guidelines for the development and
modernization of Ghana.
The GTA coordinates the
PANAFEST Celebrations / Emancipation Day, as part of the "Annual Return", in
partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration,
Diaspora Affairs, the PANAFEST Foundation, Media Majique and the
Adinklra Group of the United States.
PANAFEST is a cultural vehicle to bring
Africans on the continent and in the diaspora together to promote understanding
peace and unity among all Africans.
The day of emancipation was reserved for
liberation of slaves in the Americas and the Caribbean it is celebrated at
encourage descendants of Africa to return home and develop their continent.
GNA
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