GRi Arts & Culture Ghana 10 - 07 - 2001
Vice-President Mahama launches PANAFEST and Emancipation Day
Accra (Greater Accra) 10 July 2001
Vice-President Aliu Mahama on Monday launched this year's joint Pan African Arts Festival (PANAFEST) and Emancipation Day in Accra, and called for the use of the two events to enhance the ability of the Black race to free itself from years of backwardness and subservience.
He said the two cultural events should also offer Africans the opportunity to celebrate their humanity and promote their cultural heritage, which identify them as a unique race.
Alhaji Mahama said the joint celebration at the initiative of the Ministry of Tourism is designed to eradicate all psychological and cultural obstacles that tend to portray Africans as inferior to other races and cultures.
The one- week broad- based cultural event dedicated to the enhancement of the ideals of Pan Africanism and the development of the African continent would start on July 27 on the theme: " Uniting the African Family, bridging the gap through information technology."
The celebrations, expected to attract over 1,000 African-Americans, will be held in the Greater Accra and Central Regions. Highlights of the programme include memorial and remembrance-day celebration of victims of the slave trade, trade investments and technology forum, a youth congress and other reverential events.
Alhaji Mahama said the government attaches importance to the celebrations since the country's pioneering role to support other African countries under colonial rule to gain political emancipation cannot be compromised.
"Ghana became the welcome home for all those who fought in diverse ways against all forms of indignities and this background has automatically made it imperative for Ghana to serve as the abode for all those who believe in the fair treatment of the human race."
Alhaji Mahama said the government would support the tourism sector to sustain the annual event.
Madam Hawa Yakubu Minister of Tourism said lack of support for private sector involvement in tourism promotion has made Ghana one of the most expensive tourism destinations.
She announced plans by her ministry to attract more tourists which include the establishment of a website and to make hospitality services cheaper.
Mr Kojo Yankah, Chairman of the International Board of PANAFEST who traced the 11 years history of the event in Ghana said it has become the biggest cultural event on the African continent, which must be supported by the government.
Mr Rabbi Kohain Nathanyah Halevi, Executive Secretary of PANAFEST secretariat outlined pre-PANAFEST events which include a meeting of the participants with prominent chiefs like the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and Ya-na Yakubu Andani II and visits to slave sites.
Mrs Gifty Afenyi Dadzie, President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) who chaired the function said tourism has become one of the biggest economic potentials in the country hence the need for the state to look beyond just the entertainment aspect of the sector.
Over 300 people including ministers of state, members of parliament, chiefs, queen mothers and members of the diplomatic corps attended the ceremony.
GRi../
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