The Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Catherine A. Afeku on Thursday 25th May, 2017 launched Panafest in Cape Coast as it coincides with its 25th Anniversary.
As part of activities to mark the PANAFEST launch, a bonfire was lit at the Elmina Beach Resort the previous night, on Wednesday 24th May, 2017. It was then followed by a walk today for the official launch.
The walk started from London Bridge through the principal streets of Cape Coast and ended at Heritage House.
The event was witnessed by Deputy Central Regional Minister, Paramount Chief of the Oguaa Traditional Area Osaberima Kwesi Atta, Mr. Akwasi Agyemang CEO of Ghana Tourism Authority, Chief Director at Tourism Ministry Nana Oduro-Kwateng, Mr.Kojo Antwi CEO of Ghana Tourism Development Company, members of PANAFEST Foundation and Tourists from Jamaica, Nigeria, USA, Cameroon , Kenya etc
The Ministry has decided to make it an annual event as PANAFEST celebrates the strengths and resilience of African culture and achievements of Africans in spite of the transatlantic slave trade and its aftermath. It is designed to help Africans to reconnect with their strengths and thus be inspired to eternal vigilance, rededicate themselves to fully assuming the reigns of their own destiny in recognition of the lessons of history.
The Pan African Historical Theatre Project known as PANAFEST, is a cultural event held in Ghana every two years for Africans and people of African descent. It was first held in 1992. The idea of this festival is to promote and enhance unity, Pan-Africanism, and the development of the continent of Africa itself. Activities that occur at this festival are performances and work in the areas of theatre, drama, music and poetry, among other things. Also, there is the viewing of the durbar of chiefs, and tours to various places of study and interest such as slave castle dungeons and resorts respectively.
This year’s PANAFEST and Emancipation Day will take place between July 25th August 2nd and promises to be a spectacular one with activities such as wreath laying, welcoming of Africans in the diaspora, durbar of chiefs and queenmothers, an expo and interfaith dialogue to highlight the roles played by religion during the slave trade.
