[ad_1]
As part of the celebrations of the Pan-African Theater Festival (PANAFEST) and Emancipation Day, the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) on Wednesday laid wreaths in memory of the African heroes who contributed to pan-Africanism and to the development of Africa.
The wreath-laying ceremonies took place at the William Edward Burghardt Du Bois Center, then at the George Padmore Library and finally at the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park.
Dr. Ziblim Barri Iddi, Vice Minister at the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture said that since 1998, Ghana was the only country in Africa celebrating Emancipation Day each year.
He added that the celebration began with a campaign to abolish the slave trade, adding that this campaign had been successful with the pbading of the law to abolish the slave trade in 1806 and took effect on 1 January 1808.
The celebration of Emancipation Day, he said, reminds Africans that all people deserve to be liberated, treated with fairness and respected.
Dr. Barri Iddi said that this year's theme, "Beyond 400 years: aiming for the future in every continent" was appropriate for the commemoration in remembrance of the horrors of the slave trade and the world. slavery as well as individuals who fought against the atrocities of those days. .
He added that the ministry sought to bring out the history of Africa and the experiences of its peoples, using the vehicle of African culture as well as a forum to promote unity. between Africans of the continent and those of the diaspora.
He urged Ghanaians to support "Ghana's agenda beyond the help of the president through the process of empowerment".
It was therefore necessary to forge special ties with Africans in the diaspora and to constantly remember that they were all Africans, regardless of where they lived, he said.
Mr. Akwasi Agyeman, General Manager of GTA, said the ceremony was a celebration of family reunion and the liberation of Africa. Ghana would continue to celebrate Emancipation Day in order to consolidate its pan-African heritage and celebrate its pioneers of Pan-Africanism.
Mr. Akwasi Awuah Ababio, Director, Diaspora Affairs, sent messages of solidarity; Professor Esi Sutherland Addy, Panafest Secretariat; Ms. Gail Nikoi, President of the African-American Association of Ghana; and Stephanie S Sullivan, United States Ambbadador to Ghana.
Dr. Thomas Mensah, engineer, inventor and diaspora said in his speech that no matter what Africans have experienced, they would rise up and everyone, including those in the diaspora, would contribute together to the development of Africa .
He said: "Africans would create their own Disney World, which would be located in the African theme park in Ghana, as a tourist attraction.
He said that there would be movie screenings on the park describing the voyage of slaves from the coastal castles of Ghana to the island of Goree and finally to the United States of America. 39; America.
"It would come back on the path taken by the slaves and revive the memories in a great style celebrating the" Freedom of the Negroes ".
Dr. Mensah advised Africans to believe in themselves and to note that "good business makes sense," citing his upcoming new book, which contains guidelines for Ghana's development and modernization.
The GTA coordinates the PANAFEST / Emancipation Day celebrations as part of Year Return, in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, the Office of Diaspora Affairs, the PANAFEST Foundation, Media Majique and the American group Adinklra.
PANAFEST is a cultural vehicle for bringing Africans from the continent and the diaspora together to promote the understanding of peace and unity among all Africans.
Emancipation Day was dedicated to the liberation of slaves in the Americas and the Caribbean. It is celebrated to encourage descendants of Africa to return home and develop their continent.
Source link
