TODAY, delegations of Africans and people of African descents will converge on Accra to observe the World Day for African and Afro-descendant Culture.
With the theme, African and Afrodescendant Culture for Peace and Sustainable Development, the celebration will hold at the AMA Conference Centre in Accra; and also via virrual platforms.
To participate, guests have been directed to register at: https://unesco-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJElcOqgqT0vGt3riNmxJ6WA9yiLDVjhZW37.
The opening sessions starting at 9am will be moderated by Dr. Akosua Abdallah, the Director of Community, Youth and Culture, National Commission on Culture, while welcome address will be given by Ms. Elizabeth K. T. Sackey, Chief Executive Accra Metropolitan Assembly (Mayor of Accra).
- Other advertised speakers in the opening sessions are:
- *UN Resident Coordinator in Ghana, Mr Charles Abani
- *Diaspora African Forum Ambassador, H.E. Dr. Erieka Bennett
- *Ambassador of Colombia, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, H.E Mrs. Claudia Turbay Quintero
- *Representative of UNESCO Director General, Assistant Director General for Culture, Mr. Ernesto Ottone Ramirez
- *Representative of the Traditional Authorities, President of the Ga Traditional Council, Ga Mantse, Nii Tackie Teiko Tsuru II
- *Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim Awal
The openings will be followed by a colloquium in three parts that would address various areas of African cultures with experts and culture actors drawn from different fields and countries on the continent, including Nigeria.
Initiated by John Ayite Dossavi, who now serves as President of African Network of Cultural Promoters and Entrepreneurs, RAPEC, the Day is observed to “celebrate the many vibrant cultures of the African continent and African Diasporas around the world and to promote them as an effective lever for sustainable development, dialogue, and peace.
“It also aims to promote the widest possible ratification and implementation of this Charter by African States, thereby strengthening the role of culture in promoting peace on the continent.”
A statement from the UNESCO office in Ghana reads:
“From January 24-26, Ghana shall be celebrating the World Day for African and Afro- descendant Culture (WDAAC) to highlight the contributions of cultures of the African continent and the African diasporas around the world, as well as their role in driving sustainable development, dialogue, and peace. The year’s celebration shall be led by the African Network of Cultural Promoters and Entrepreneurs (RAPEC), the government of Ghana with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and culture and its agencies.”
It continues: “Each year on January 24, World Day for African and Afrodescendant Culture celebrates the many vibrant cultures of the African continent and African Diasporas around the world and promotes them as an effective lever for sustainable development, dialogue, and peace. As a rich source of the world’s shared heritage, promoting African and Afrodescendant culture is crucial for the development of the continent, and for humanity as a whole.
“UNESCO adopted 24 January as the World Day for African and Afrodescendant Culture at the 40th session of the UNESCO General Conference in 2019. This date coincides with the adoption of the Charter for African Cultural Renaissance in 2006 by the Heads of State and Government of the African Union.
“Celebration of this day also aims to promote the widest possible ratification and implementation of this Charter by African States, thereby strengthening the role of culture in promoting peace on the continent. The Day was an initiative of Mr. John Dossavi , President of RAPEC and backed by the Republic of Togo. The proposal to proclaim January 24 as World Day of African and Afrodescendants culture was submitted by Liberia, Mozambique and Togo and examined by UNESCO Executive Board at its 207th session.
“Associations of African Universities (AAU) with support from UNESCO. Some of the series of activities include:
1) A colloquium to stimulate the intellectual discourse around critical themes common to Africa and People of African descent such as the Incorporation of African History and Culture in Education/Curricula and in the Creative and Cultural Industries, and the Reconciliation.
2) A musical “High Life” night with special performances from some of the finest Ghanaian artists and a statement from Grammy Award Nominee, Rocky Dawuni who is an Ambassador for JMCA.
“Since African and Afrodescendant culture is a rich source of the world’s shared heritage, it is crucial to promote it for the development of the continent and for humanity. There is much to learn, share and celebrate on World Day for African and Afrodescendant Culture, and UNESCO encourages everyone through the country to join in through various activities such as debates, conferences, workshops, cultural events and presentations or exhibitions.”
Stakeholders:
- African Network of Cultural Promoters and Entrepreneurs (RAPEC)
- Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC)
- United Nations Education Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
- Association of African Universities (AAU)
- African Union (AU)
- Pan African Historical Theatre Festival (PANAFEST)
- Musician Union of Ghana (MUSIGA)
- Ghana Culture Forum (GCF)
- Pan African Writers Association (PAWA)
- Diaspora African Forum (DAF)
- Ghana National Commission for UNESCO
- Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA)
- National Commission for Culture (NCC)
For further contacts:
- David Ahadzie (RAPEC) – +233 244 115 225
- Oumar Diagne (RAPEC) – + 233 264 279 701
- Kofi Atta Kakra Kusi (Ghana Tourism Authority) – +233 246 313 444
- Ahuma Bosco Ocansey (MUSIGA) – +233 24 338 2474
- UNESCO Accra Office– +233 302 740 840
