Ceremony held to mark Emancipation Day

Assin-Manso (C/R), Aug.1, GNA-It was a solemn scene, when some of the Africans from the Diaspora currently attending the PANAFEST/ Emancipation Day celebration, on Monday, washed their hands and feet, while others amongst them, fetched water from the "Nkonsuo" (Slave River) at Assin Manso, where they had gone for the Emancipation Day celebration.

The 'slave river, is where their ancestors had their last bath on their long journey from the north before they were sent to the castles for shipment.

They also visited and laid wreaths on the tombs of two former slave ancestors, Crystal and Samuel Carson whose mortal remains were exhumed from Jamaica and United States respectively in 1998 and re-interred at Assin Manso.

Earlier at a grand durbar of chiefs, queen mothers, Ministers of State, DCEs and participants from the Diaspora, a drama/cultural troupe from Bono-Manso in the Brong Ahafo region, had performed a sketch on the slave trade, while a cultural troupe based at Assin Manso, treated the gathering to the nation's rich traditional dances.

In an address, Mr Yaw Osafo-Maafo, Minister of Education and Sports who was the guest of honour, reiterated the importance of the two events and said the celebration of the day should be seen as a "wake up call" for all meaningful people, who wish to see Africans united through their rich art and culture.

The Minister echoed the calls on the industrialized world to unconditionally write off Africa's debts, since " the pains suffered by the continent during the slave trade far outweighs the about 100 billion dollars debts she owes them".

The Minister of Tourism and Modernization of the Capital City, Mr. Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey also reiterated the government's committed in ensuring that as many Africans in the Diaspora, return 'home' and reunite with their 'families' and contribute towards the developmental process of Africa.

He urged them not to just visit and go back, "we need your input", he added, and urged them to find areas they could assist in the development of the country, and questioned why Africans still export raw materials instead of finished products.

A representative of African in the Diaspora, who now resides in Ghana, Imahkus Nzingah Ababio I, appealed to the government and the African Unity to help those who had returned to stay, to legitimate their resident status to encourage more of them to return. "Our ancestors will not rest until all their children both home and abroad are duly recognized and united," she declared. Barima Kwame Nkyi XII, Paramount chief of Assin Apimanim traditional area, in his welcoming address, also urged all Africans to use the two festivals for their mutual benefit.