Launching Panafest@25 scheduled for July 25 to August 2, Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Catherine Afeku said Ghana’s independence was very much influenced by Pan African ideals and as a result Ghana has, for many years, been seen as a beacon for persons of African descent from all over the world.
Afeku announced plans to build on the base of loyal participants, who have been coming to Ghana time and again, to revitalise their spirits and renew their commitment to the rapid transformation of the situation of Africans throughout the world as well as mount a vigorous campaign to attract new participants.
She urged all stakeholders to help develop the great and unique potential of Ghana’s heritage powerful international heritage into a truly thrilling experience which many would want to have again and again.
The chairperson of the Board of Panafest Foundation, Prof Esi Sutherland Addy, Panafest was conceived to adopt the age old vehicle of the arts and the cultural manifestations for purging the pain of Diaspora, acknowledging the residual effects of the trade on the continent on the continent and re-uniting to forge a positive future in the contemporary global environment.
She explained that the festival is a community even which also puts a call to African-descended performers and thinkers to attend the festival
Activities that will take place between July 25 and August 2, 2017, includes wreath laying ceremony at the resting places of W.E.B Dubois, George Padmore and Dr Kwame Nkrumah, welcoming participants from Diaspora into the bosom of traditional clans, a colloquium, grand durbar of kings, queens, and participants, an EXPO, right of atonement on Emancipation Day at Assin Manso.
In addition will be an inter-faith dialogue to throw light on the vital role played by religion during the slave trade and its aftermath.
