African governments must invest in human-centred policies — Vice President

The last lap of the 2025 PANAFEST and Emancipation Day has been opened with a call on African governments to invest in human-centred policies that directly respond to the needs of the youth. 

Being held on the theme “Let Us Speak of Reparative Justice – Pan-African Artistic Activism,” PANAFEST and Emancipation Day events are organised by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts and its agencies, the Ghana Tourism Authority and the PANAFEST Secretariat

The Vice-President, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, made the call at a durbar at Victoria Park in Cape Coast to usher in the final lap of the biennial Pan-African cultural and history theatre festival, which started in the middle of July, and will climax in the first week of August.

“When we say that the youth are our future, we must mean it, and it must reflect in everything we do. That is what this government — which I am proud to be part of — is striving for,” she said at the durbar.

Event, Durbar

PANAFEST, which began in 1992, continues to be one of Africa’s most prominent platforms for celebrating cultural heritage and strengthening global Pan-African unity.

The accompanying Emancipation Day celebration on August 1 marks the end of slavery in the British colonies and serves as a moment of reflection and renewal for African descendants worldwide.

This year’s festival, also to commemorate the 100th birthday of the festival’s founder, the late Efua Sutherland, a renowned Pan-Africanist and cultural icon, will feature workshops in Twi language, African culinary arts, visual art, music and dance—allowing participants to experience and carry home a vibrant piece of African culture.

The durbar to signal the last lap of the celebrations brought together traditional rulers, ministers of state, council members, religious leaders, diaspora communities and stakeholders from across Ghana and the African continent.

It featured vibrant cultural displays, including drumming, dance, storytelling and artistic performances.

In attendance included the Oguaamanhen, Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II; the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie; the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the GTA, Maame Efua Houadjeto; Chairperson of the PANAFEST Board of Trustees, Prof. Esi Sutherland-Addy, and the Central Regional Minister, Eduamoah Ekow Panyin Okyere.

Reparations

Prof. Opoku-Agyemang stressed that reparations were not just about financial compensation but also about restoring dignity and creating equitable opportunities for all Africans.

“It has moral, political and economic implications. We want to see a time when Africans are not living at the razor’s edge of life, no matter where they are — rich or poor,” she said.

“We must live like everyone else, see ourselves in the future, and not be afraid. That goes beyond money; it’s about being ourselves and contributing to the world like everyone else,” she added.

African artistic activism

The Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, urged Africans across the continent and in the diaspora to unite in the fight for reparative justice and cultural renaissance.

She highlighted the power of arts, storytelling, music, dance, film and fashion as transformative tools of resistance and reclamation.

“This is the spirit of African artistic activism — an awakening of consciousness through the soul of our culture,” she said, urging creative industries to spearhead a new Pan-African renaissance.

Commitment

Osabarimba Kwesi Atta reaffirmed the Oguaa Traditional Council’s commitment to work with governments, cultural institutions and diaspora communities to make repatriation meaningful.

He outlined five key priorities, including creating safe, sustainable spaces for diaspora returnees to settle and invest, strengthening cultural institutions and indigenous learning systems to bridge identity, belonging, and encouraging youth development through innovation, history, education and entrepreneurship.

Mrs Sutherland-Addy thanked the government for its continued support through the institutions.