Accra: Madam Abla Dzifa Gomashie, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, has called on Ghanaians and Africans worldwide to honor their ancestors by embracing their heritage and identity. The call was made during a wreath-laying ceremony at the W. E. B. Du Bois Centre, George Padmore Library, and the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, as part of the 2025 PANAFEST and Emancipation Day celebrations.
According to Ghana News Agency, Madam Gomashie emphasized the importance of reclaiming cultural dignity and resisting historical oppression. She stated that Africans must no longer allow the silencing of their voices, beliefs, arts, and intangible heritage. The Minister highlighted the necessity of shaking off the shackles that cause Africans to undervalue their heritage and instead to take pride in it, including reclaiming stolen cultural elements.
Madam Gomashie paid tribute to the legacies of W. E. B. Du Bois, George Padmore, and Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, acknowledging them as pioneers of Pan-Africanism and cultural reclamation. She reflected on their contributions, asserting that disregarding one's culture and heritage equates to choosing foreign values over one's own, which hinders development.
She acknowledged Du Bois for choosing Ghana as his final home, Padmore for fostering connections between Africa and its diaspora, and Nkrumah for establishing the Institute of African Studies in 1961 to promote African research. Reflecting on advancements since the African Union's formation in 2002, Madam Gomashie encouraged Africans to explore their historical roots, grounded in original identity rather than external disruptions.
In her personal pledge, the Minister vowed to defend African values and identity with pride and conviction, resisting intimidation and humiliation of African languages, cultures, and tribes. Furthermore, she announced the launch of 'Afro Gastro,' an initiative aimed at promoting culinary diplomacy and unity among Africans and the diaspora, set for September 15 as part of the Black Star Experience.
The initiative is designed to serve as a platform for culinary diplomacy, where embassies, chefs, and creatives from across Africa and the diaspora will showcase traditional foods and drinks to stimulate discussions around identity, unity, and pride. Madam Gomashie called on corporate Ghana to support the initiative, emphasizing its role in instilling cultural pride in the youth.
Mrs. Maame Afua Houadjeto, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority, described the ceremony as a moment of remembrance and reverence, celebrating a collective legacy. She noted the importance of moving from remembrance to action, highlighting the necessity to match remembrance with responsibility to achieve reparative justice.
Mrs. Houadjeto commended the diaspora for participating in the event, affirming that the story of Africa continues in the spirit of strength and unity. She urged Africans to continue the journey with humility, pride, and hope, guided by the spirit of their ancestors.
The event was organized by the Ministry in partnership with the Ghana Tourism Authority and the PANAFEST Foundation, under the theme: 'Let us speak of reparative justice: Pan-African artistic activism.'
