The programmes line-up to mark this year’s PANAFEST/Emancipation Day celebrations have been launched in Elmina with a call on the indigenes of the Central Region to embrace, own and nurture the two festivals and ensure their growth into mega international events.



The Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Hon. Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare who made the call believes that by so doing, the people of the region can take advantage of the numerous economic opportunities that an influx of both domestic and international tourists would offer. She therefore appealed to especially the youth to bring their creative potential to bear in artistic impressions that will arouse interest of tourists.



The Minister noted that this year’s event is significant for three major reasons. Firstly, it coincides with the 50th anniversary of the demise in Accra of Dr. W.E.B. Dubois, the towering leader of Pan-Africanism who worked hard in support of the efforts of our forebears to liberate the African continent from slavery and colonialism.



Secondly, it is being celebrated at a time when the African Union (AU) is celebrating its 50th anniversary under the theme “Pan Africanism and the African Renaissance” for which reason the AU has declared PANAFEST and Emancipation Day celebrations as highlight events to mark its golden jubilee.



According with Hon. Ofosu-Adjare, the third thing that makes the 2013 celebrations of special relevance is that this year marks the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation in the USA in 1863, making this year’s event of particular significance to people of the Black Race as well as the oppressed everywhere.



In a speech read on behalf of the International Board of the PANAFEST, Nana Amba Eyiaba, Krontihemaa of the Oguaa Traditional Area noted that Africa looks up to Ghana to show leadership in how the continent can regenerate itself especially as the continent marks AU @50. She admonished that whilst celebrating the event and the gains made, Ghanaians should commit to full participation by receiving guests and patrons with the proverbial Ghanaian hospitality and most importantly, anticipate services that patrons of the events will be ready to patronize and pay for.



The Executive Secretary of the PANAFEST Foundation, Rabi Kohain Halevi outlined the following as some of the highlights of the celebrations:



Monday, 22nd July - Wreath-laying ceremonies at the Nkrumah

Memorial Park, George Padmore Library and W.E.B. Du Bois Centre for Pan-African Culture;



Friday, 26th July - Return Journey (Akwaaba Ceremony which is a symbolic boat ride from Cape Coast “Door of No Return” to Elmina Castle);



Saturday, 27th July - Opening Ceremony & 21st Anniversary

Durbar of Kings and Queens and visiting Delegations at Victoria Park, Cape Coast;



Sunday, 28th July - Naming ceremony for Diaspora Applicants at

Oguaa Traditional Council (Pre-registration is

required)



Monday, 29th July - Pan African Youth Extravaganza (Pan-African

Youth Day Programme honouring the Youth at

University of Cape Coast)



Tuesday, 30th July - Women’s Day (The Grand Gathering of African

Women – Theme:

“The Role of Women in the African Renaissance”),

Centre for National Culture, Cape Coast;



Wednesday, 31st July - Reverential Night (Candle Lit Procession from Mfantsipim Junction to the Castles/Dungeon for a tribute to the ancestors at the Cape Coast Castle and the Midnight Proclamation of Emancipation Day)



Thursday, 1st August - Emancipation Day (Official Emancipation Day

Celebration - Special tribute to 150th anniversary

of Emancipation Proclamation in USA) at

Assin Manso;



Friday, 2nd August - High Level Panel Dialogue dubbed “Pan African

Colloquium” (Renowned Pan African Scholars convene for Colloquium on “Pan Africanism and African Renaissance), Accra International Conference Centre;



Saturday, 3rd August - Pan African Colloquium ends; Live performances

featuring Performers from the African world to close the celebration at the National Theatre, Accra



The Chairman of the occasion, Osaberimba Kwesi Atta II, Paramount Chief of the Oguaa Traditional Area bemoaned the loss of the African’s sense of cultural identity and values, and called for an end to the notion of Africans and people of African descent being tagged as second class citizens.