Minister launches Emancipation Day in Cape Coast

Cape Coast May 17, GNA - The Deputy Minister of Tourism, Mr Kobby Acheampong noted that government is committed to ensure the complete eradication of child trafficking, forced labour and any practice that promotes slavery.

He was speaking at the launch of this year's emancipation day on the theme: Rejuvenating the dreams and aspirations of African Youth in Cape Coast.

The day is celebrated on August 1 every year to commemorate the abolition of slave trade.

Mr Acheampong said the country had embarked on intensive education on the menace of forced labour and migration. He said the Ministry had mounted public awareness creation programmes on some cultural practices that violate the freedom of the individual. He said Ghana became the first African nation to join the emancipati= on day celebration in 1998, which he said was a good initiative to reaffirm the country's status as the gateway to the homeland of Africans in the Diaspo= ra.

Mr Acheampong observed that the celebration of emancipation day provides the platform for people to reflect about the forcible displaceme= nt of able-bodied African in the 16th and 20th century to unfamiliar territories. The Central Regional Minister, Mrs Ama Benyiwa Doe said emancipation=

day should remind people about the violation of fundamental human rights like child labour. This year's emancipation day will include a wreath laying ceremony t= o honour three Pan Africanists; W.E.B.Dubios, George Padmore, and Kwame Nkrumah.