Ghana celebrates Maya Angelou ahead of official memorial service

The illustrious writer and civil rights activist, Maya Angelou, who died last week at the age of 86, was celebrated in Accra at a special memorial service organised in her honour.

The W.E.B. Dubois Centre hosted the “Remembering Maya Angelou” memorial service which was attended by passionate lovers of her works who observed a series of tributes in the form of poetry, dance and remarks by distinguished personalities in Ghana.

Ambassador Dr. Erieka Bennet, the Director of African Union-Diaspora African Forum, said the country celebrates rather than mourn Maya Angelou noting her love for Ghana where the poet had lived a part of her life.

She gave an account of her contact with Maya Angelou who served as an inspiration to most African Americans in the world.

The Dean of the Diplomatic Corp and Zimbabwean Ambassador to Ghana, Mrs. Pavelyn Musaka revered the civil rights activist whom she shares a birthday with, adding that “there is no befitting place to celebrate Maya Angelou than Ghana where Dr Kwame Nkrumah and W.E.B. Dubois were buried”.

Representing the President of the Republic of Ghana was Honourable Rashid Pelpuo, MP for Wa Central and Minister of State in charge of Private Sector Development, who observed the captivating nature of the life and works of Maya Angelou, whom he had contact with in 1994 when she performed at the National Theatre of Ghana.

He reflected over his moment experienced in her presence which he said was an identification of his deeper self. This great woman, he hinted, “inspired the change of my daughter’s name from Mara to Maya”.

Hon. Rashid Pelpuo said the country was saddened by her passing and wishes she would remain in our hearts and share in her achievements.

Rabbi Kohain Nathanya Halevi, the executive director of the PANAFEST Foundation and an ordained rabbi in the African Hebrew faith, acknowledged the role played by Maya Angelou, which inspired many African Americans to relocate to Africa. He prayed for her and all departed souls.

Beautiful ballads were sang by Ms. Brenda Joyce and a dance tribute performed by Mrs. Cassandra Davis with the gospel hymn, “His Eye Is On The Sparrow”.

The event was capped with a performance of Maya Angelou’s unforgettable poem, Phenomenal Woman, by Ambassador Dr Erieka Bennet, Princess Asie Ocansey, Sestah Imahkus Njinga Okofu Ababio and Dr Susan Alfred-Walcott. They took turns to give a phenomenal recital which dazzled those present.

All women at the memorial event were recognised as phenomenal including the African American Association of Ghana who co-organised the event with the African Union-Diaspora African Forum.

Angelou's family will hold a closed memorial service in a chapel at the Winston-Salem University in North Carolina on Saturday 7 June. It will only be open to family and friends, but Wake Forest University is set to live stream the event for the public.