Each year, the World Day for the African and Afro-descendant Culture is celebrated on the 24^th of January in recognition of the many vibrant cultures of the African continent and African Diasporas around the world. The event also promotes these cultures as an effective lever for sustainable development, dialogue, and peace. Promoting the African and Afro-descendant cultures, as rich sources of the world’s shared heritage, is crucial for the development of the continent, and for humanity as a whole.

UNESCO adopted the 24^th of January as the World Day for the African and Afro-descendant 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 African Network of Cultural Promoters and Entrepreneurs (RAPEC) and backed by the Republic of Togo. The proposal to proclaim January 24 as the World Day of the African and Afro-descendants culture was submitted by Liberia, Mozambique and Togo and examined by the UNESCO Executive Board at its 207^th session.

From January 24-26, Ghana will be celebrating this day 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. This year’s celebrations will 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, the Associations of African Universities (AAU) with the 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 the African History and Culture in Education/Curricula and in the Creative and Cultural Industries, and Reconciliation.

2) A musical “High Life” night with special performances from some of the finest Ghanaian artists and a statement from the Grammy Award Nominee, Rocky Dawuni who is an Ambassador for JMCA.

Since the African and Afro-descendant 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 the World Day for the African and Afro-descendant Culture. UNESCO and all the partners encourage everyone through the country to join the celebrations through various activities such as debates, conferences, workshops, cultural events and presentations and/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 more information, kindly contact:

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

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Ghana To Host The World Day for The African and Afro-descendant Culture (WDAAC) 2022

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