This year’s Emancipation Day celebration has been launched in Cape Coast in the Central Region following the role this ancient city played in the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade era.
The colourful event, which drew chiefs, Africans in the Diaspora, top government officials and students in the Cape Coast metropolis to the forecourt of the Cape Coast Castle, was on the theme; ‘Rejuvenating the dreams and aspirations of African youth’.
The African dance ensemble troupe in a re-enactment dance of the era of slave trade and pan-Africanism.
Speaking at the launch, the deputy Minister of Tourism, Mr Kwabena Acheampong, advised the youth to take their education serious and learn from what happened to their forefathers in order not to allow themselves to be abused and treated inhumanely like their forbearers.
Mr Acheampong noted that the celebration of emancipation day provides Africans the opportunity to reflect on the atrocious trafficking of human beings that took place in the 16th and 20th centuries where African able-bodied men and women as well as children were forcibly taken into slavery.
He noted that after so many years of the abominable and unacceptable form of commerce, the world has not been free of some horrific stories about slavery and other forms of suppression.
According to him, to ensure the total eradication of any practice that bear semblance to slavery such as child trafficking and enforced labour, government is intensifying education on the menace and is also implementing awareness creation programmes on some cultural practices that are inimical to the freedoms of some people in this country.
Mr Acheampong disclosed that government was working in close collaboration with INTERPOL and other stakeholders to fight against child trafficking, female sex slave trafficking and any form of forced child labour.
He commended UNESCO for setting up the slave route project to help extend the full untold story of slave trade to give it due recognition globally.
He observed that the slave trade story remains largely untold hence its celebration to educate and inform the world of what actually happened and to say never again.
The deputy minister announced that a wreath-laying ceremony will be held in honour of three illustrious sons of Pan-Africanism including Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, George Padmore and WEB Du Bois.
He further added that there will be a re-enactment of aspects of slave trade where captured slaves sealed their doom which was the point of no return for them, while durbars and reverential nights, public lectures, quizzes and debates for basic schools at various places will also be organised as part of this year’s celebration.
The Central Regional Minister, Mrs Ama Benyiwa Doe, underscored the significance of launching the event for the first time in the region.
She said this was because of Cape Coast role in slavery.
She advised the public to turn the story of slave trade around to benefit the country in spite of the bitter memories it brings and advised Africans in the Diaspora to trace their routes and help in the development of the nation.
The Special Events Manager at the Ghana Tourist Board, Mr Alex Boakye, said Ghana became the first African nation to join in the celebration in 1998 which earned the country the accolade the African homeland of the Diasporans.
A representative of Africans in the Diaspora, Mr Nick Opoku, charged the youth to avenge the inhumane and injustices meted out to their ancestors and reflect on the never again policy of former President Mandela of South Africa.
STORY: FROM MAGDALENE SEY, CAPE COAST
