Africans in Diaspora urged to help develop continent
THE ninth edition of the Pan African Historical Project (PANAFEST) and Emancipation Day was launched in Accra on Monday with a call on Africans in the Diaspora to make meaningful contributions towards the development of Africa.
The Minister of Tourism, Ms Akua Sena Dansua, who made the call, said without the collaboration of all Africans, the development of the continent could lack behind that of the developed societies.
She said: “Emancipation Day is a continuous call to all Africans and the people of African descent to become more committed to the emancipation of the African continent”.
This year’s celebration is on the theme, “Re-uniting the African family — Challenges and Prospects”.
The celebrations will be characterised by a colloquium to renew the role PANAFEST has played and can continue to play in sustaining the magnificent legacy of Africa.
PANAFEST was mooted by the late Mrs Efua Sutherland in the mid 1980s as a cultural vehicle for bringing together Africans on the continent and in the Diaspora around issues of slavery which remained suppressed.
PANAFEST is also used to celebrate the strengths and resilience of African culture and achievements of Africans in spite of the transatlantic slave trade and its aftermath.
Since its inception in 1994, the festival has attracted participation by official delegations, individuals and groups from African Caribbean and South American countries as well as groups and individuals from Europe and the United States of America.
Launching the celebrations, Ms Dansua noted that arts, particularly theatre, which were the premise of PANAFEST were powerful tools of communication and healing which could be used by the people to express themselves, dialogue and mobilise their energies to move to greater heights.
She said this year’s event would re-examine the role of the great African ancestors, their pioneering spirit of promoting Pan African liberation and unity.
Events scheduled for this year’s celebrations include the symbolic crossing of the River Pra, a redemption march and a reverential night which will feature a candlelight procession through the Cape Coast Castle.
The celebrations would be climaxed with an Emancipation Day Celebration at Assin Manso.
The Minister of Tourism, Ms Akua Sena Dansua, who made the call, said without the collaboration of all Africans, the development of the continent could lack behind that of the developed societies.
She said: “Emancipation Day is a continuous call to all Africans and the people of African descent to become more committed to the emancipation of the African continent”.
This year’s celebration is on the theme, “Re-uniting the African family — Challenges and Prospects”.
The celebrations will be characterised by a colloquium to renew the role PANAFEST has played and can continue to play in sustaining the magnificent legacy of Africa.
PANAFEST was mooted by the late Mrs Efua Sutherland in the mid 1980s as a cultural vehicle for bringing together Africans on the continent and in the Diaspora around issues of slavery which remained suppressed.
PANAFEST is also used to celebrate the strengths and resilience of African culture and achievements of Africans in spite of the transatlantic slave trade and its aftermath.
Since its inception in 1994, the festival has attracted participation by official delegations, individuals and groups from African Caribbean and South American countries as well as groups and individuals from Europe and the United States of America.
Launching the celebrations, Ms Dansua noted that arts, particularly theatre, which were the premise of PANAFEST were powerful tools of communication and healing which could be used by the people to express themselves, dialogue and mobilise their energies to move to greater heights.
She said this year’s event would re-examine the role of the great African ancestors, their pioneering spirit of promoting Pan African liberation and unity.
Events scheduled for this year’s celebrations include the symbolic crossing of the River Pra, a redemption march and a reverential night which will feature a candlelight procession through the Cape Coast Castle.
The celebrations would be climaxed with an Emancipation Day Celebration at Assin Manso.
Comments
Post a Comment