The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), in partnership with the Upper East Regional Coordinating Council (RCC), the Regional House of Chiefs, and the PANAFEST/Emancipation Secretariat, commemorated the 2025 edition of Panafest and Emancipation Day from July 18–19 at the historic Pikworo Slave Camp in Nania-Paga.
This year’s celebration, themed “Let Us Speak of Reparative Justice — Pan-African Artistic Activism,” emphasized Pan-African unity, cultural identity, and remembrance of the ancestral struggles against slavery, colonization, and systemic oppression.
The two-day event began with a symbolic walk from Navrongo to Paga, followed by vibrant cultural performances, traditional drumming, and dramatic reenactments by artists and officials from the Ghana Tourism Authority, the National Commission for Civic Education, the Centre for National Culture, and other key agencies.
A solemn vigil night was held at the Pikworo Slave Camp, where participants, dressed in white, paid tribute to the memory of the enslaved and reflected on the global call for reparative justice.
Speaking during the event, Wisdom Ahadzi, Upper East Regional Director of the Ghana Tourism Authority, emphasized the power of Pan-African artistic activism in advocating for reparative justice.
“The purpose of this gathering is multifaceted. It seeks to foster unity and dialogue among stakeholders—artists, community leaders, academia, and policymakers in the Upper East Region—as we collectively plan and strategize for a memorable and impactful celebration,” he said.
“This is also a platform to highlight the importance of reparative justice in addressing the lingering effects of slavery, colonization, and systemic marginalization. Pan-African artistic activism offers a powerful tool for advocacy, education, and healing.”
The celebration brought together a diverse group of participants, including local residents, tourists, diaspora communities, traditional authorities, and leaders in Ghana’s tourism and cultural sectors.
Upper East Regional Minister, Donatus Akamugri Atanga, called on stakeholders to prioritize cultural education in schools and forge sustainable partnerships with the African diaspora for mutual growth in trade, tourism, and investment.
“Emancipation is a sacred day of remembrance and a call to awaken our historical consciousness. As a generation, we must act with clarity and purpose in confronting structural racism, economic injustice, and the unfinished business of restitution,” he said.
“Pan-Africanism is the cultural platform that unites people of African descent across the globe. It celebrates our shared heritage and fuels our collective aspirations for peace, prosperity, and progress.”
Source: A1RadioOnline.com | 101.1 MHz | David Azure | Nania-Paga
