African intellectuals should help make NEPAD a reality-Jake

Cape Coast July 28, GNA- The Minister of Tourism and Modernisation of the Capital City, Mr. Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey on Monday, declared that African intellectuals owed it a duty to combine their efforts to support the political leadership to move the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD), "from the bookshelves to reality".

He pointed out, that NEPAD, was an African initiative, and that African leaders, are resolved to accept responsibility for the continent's problems and take and its development into their own hands. Mr Obetsebi-Lamptey, made the call in a keynote address he delivered at the opening of the sixth Pan-African Historical Theatre Festival, (Panafest)/ Emancipation Day celebration, at a colourful durbar at the forecourt of the Cape Coast Castle.

The theme for the 10-day festival is: "The re-emergence of African civilization; uniting the African family" with a sub-theme "dialogue on traditional African system in 21st century globalisation".

He stressed that this could be achieved through regional integration, not only in political and economic spheres, but also culturally and socially.

Panafest, he said, must therefore, be used to "foster Africa's cultural identity and integration, to break the cultural barriers that separate Africa's people".

"Our destiny lies in our own hands and we would succeed, if we combine our thoughts, efforts and energies as one people with a common destiny", he declared, adding that Panafest should be used as a vehicle to pull the African race together for development.

Mr. Obetsebi-Lamptey, observed that the Diaspora, probably have more to give by way of skills, which the African continent urgently needs, but pointed out that the home continent, "remains the fount to constantly recharge the values that distinguish us as Africans". He said it is in this regard that it is important to have festivals such as Panafest to "remind us of where we are coming from and to celebrate the successes".

The Minister, however, pointed out that he was not asking Africans to embark on a self-indulgent or self- delusion exercise, blaming others for the current problems on the continent, or to concentrate on celebrating successes of ancient African civilisation.

The chairman of the National Commission on Culture, Professor George Hagan, in his address, observed that a festival like Panafest, helps to invoke memories of the ancestors, re-affirm family values, examine and correct the errors of the past, and re-unites the people. He said that the celebration of the festival should not only be to mourn "our unfortunate ancestors", but more importantly to help redeem the continent from bondage."

The celebration should also be used as an opportunity to soberly reflect on the ills of the ignoble past and to resolve with fortitude and courage to resist any new attempt to subjugate and oppress the black race.

Dr. Leonard Jeffries, an African-American lecturer at the department of African Studies at the City College in New York, said Ghana "has a special responsibility to unite all Africans, especially those in the Diaspora, and declared: "It is her sacred mission to re-establish all Africans to their ancestral roots".