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3 films on Heritage and Culture in Ghana launched by French Embassy
The Embassy of France in Ghana have officially premiered the airing of 3 animation films that were produced under the framework of the Sankofa support Project to higher education and research in Heritage and Tourism in Ghana.
These animation films encourage the promotion and dissemination of research findings on Ghanaian heritage to the general public. The film launch was made online through a webinar and live on social media. The short animation films were written and created by Ghanaian archaeology and heritage researchers in collaboration with Ghanaian animation film studios and a French animated series.
The 3 films that were shown and presented were:
1. Salvage Archaeology
Salvage Archaeology, 60 sec, by Edward Nyarko (University of Ghana Researcher – Script) and Indigene X (Ghanaian Animation Studio – Production) Information and awareness-raising spot about the importance of preserving Ghanaian heritage and archaeological artefacts. Available in English, Fanti, Ewe, Hausa & Ga languages.
2. Fort Amsterdam
Fort Amsterdam, 5 min, by Kojo Derban (Architect and University of Ghana Researcher – Script) and Animax FYB (Ghanaian Animation Studio – Production) The construction of a European Fort, Fort Amsterdam, on the Gold Coast (Ghana), in the 17th Century, from an architect’s perspective. Available in English, French, Fanti, Ewe, Hausa & Ga languages. Fort Amsterdam is one of the 28 Forts and Castles registered in Ghana as a World Heritage site under the UNESCO 1972 Convention for their Outstanding Universal Value. According to UNESCO: « The Castles and Forts of Ghana shaped not only Ghana’s history but that of the world over four centuries as the focus of first the gold trade and then the slave trade. They are a significant and emotive symbol of European-African encounters and of the starting point of the African Diaspora.
3. Begho a market town in 16th century West Africa
Begho a market town in 16th century West Africa: Begho, a market town in 16th century, West Africa, 7 min, by Daniel Kumah and Victoria Aryee (University of Ghana Researchers – Script) and Past and Curious (French animated series on archeology – Production) and Animax FYB (Ghanaian Animation Studio – Productions). A discovery of the Begho market, in West Africa, in the 16th century, through the eyes of a little girl named Kasi. Begho is a former market city, at the crossroads of several trade routes, which was occupied between the 11th and 18th centuries. As such, it is mentioned and documented in many early writings about West Africa and pre-colonial Ghana and oral tradition. Available in English, French, Asanti Twi, Ewe, Dagbani & Ga.
The creators of the films briefly explained their ideas and mindset behind the movies whilst the animation studios also gave insights into what the production of the films entailed. They were thankful to all stakeholders who played a part in the making of the films and also expressed their joy in sharing with Ghanaians and the world at large, stories that lie within Ghana’s heritage and culture.
The films were translated into 8 languages (English, French, Asante Twi, Fante Twi, Ewe, Ga, Dagbani, Hausa) to be easily accessible to a Ghanaian audience. The films will be uploaded onto main video platforms and social media and interested parties can have access to these educative films for free.
IndigenX and AnimaxFYB, the two Ghanaian studio who produced the films, were the first Ghanaian studios to be selected in Annecy’s animation film festival competition, the biggest animation film festival in the world, hosted every year in Annecy, France, respectively in 2019 and 2021.
This films were made possible with the financial support of the Embassy of France in Ghana through the Sankofa support project to higher education and research in heritage and tourism.
In attendance of the film launch was the Ambassador of France to Ghana H.E. Ms. Anne Sophie Avé, the Director of the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board Mr. Ivor Agyeman–Duah, the Representative of UNESCO Ghana Mr. Abdourahamane Diallo, partners of the Sankofa project and other high-profile stakeholders from around the world.
Watch the three animations in multiple languages by clicking on the links below to access the playlists:
- Fort Amsterdam Playlist (English, French, Fanti, Ewe, Hausa & Ga languages)
- Salvage Archaelogy Playlist (English, Fanti, Ewe, Hausa & Ga languages)
- Begho, a Market Town in 16th Century Playlist (English, French, Asanti Twi, Ewe, Dagbani & Ga languages)
Source: French Embassy Ghana
President Akufo Addo To Break Ground For Pan African Heritage World Museum
Accra. April 30, 2021
The groundbreaking ceremony to commence the construction of the $30million Pan African Heritage
World Museum will be performed at the project site, Pomadze Hills, near Winneba Junction, on
Wednesday May 5, 2021.
The project, which was globally launched in September 2020 by the President of the Republic of Ghana
Nana Addo Dankwa, seeks to create the environment in its 10 acre space to communicate the true and
authentic history, arts, culture and ideals of the pan African world from the creation of mankind to the
present day. Apart from the main building housing the six-storey galleries of collections and artifacts,
there will be a two-acre Pan African Heroes Park, a two-acre Palace of African Kingdoms, ancient and
modern, and a three-acre Herbal Plant Village where lectures about Herbal Plants in Africa will be held.
There will also be space for Festivals, Concerts, Film Shows and Exhibitions from the wide pan African
world. The Pan African Library building will bring together young innovators and inventors from across
the world to exchange works on science and technology to solve future problems.
Registered as an International NGO in Ghana, USA, and the United Kingdom, the Pan African Heritage
World is governed by an International Board of Directors, an Academic Council, a Curatorial Board, and
an Executive Council.
Brainchild of Kojo Yankah, past president of PANAFEST and founder of the African University College of
Communications, the Pan African Heritage World Museum project is scheduled to be completed for
commissioning in July 2023. Funding will be mainly through donations.
The Museum complex is envisaged to be the biggest pan African heritage museum in Africa. It will have
chalets and residential accommodation for lodging and conferences.
The May 5 sod-cutting event will be performed by the President of Ghana, assisted by the Minister of
Tourism, Arts and Culture, Dr Mohamed Awai. Among the special guests invited are Members of the
Diplomatic Corps, Heads of corporate organizations in Africa, Prospective donors and educational
institutions. It will be chaired by Nana Prah Agyensaim, Paramount Chief of Assin Owirenkyi.
Says the founder Kojo Yankah, ‘the time has come for people of African descent to tell their own story
to shape their future’.
The programme will streamed live through PAHW website (www.pahw.org). Youtube, Facebook, as
well as through AAU (www.aau.org) Youtube and Twitter.
Source: PAHW
World Day For African & Afrodescendant Culture Celebrated To Promote Arts, Culture & Heritage
The 2021 World Day for African and Afrodescendant culture was held on 24 January, 2021 at the W.E. Dubois Centre, Accra to celebrate the vibrant cultures of the African continent and African Diasporas around the world.
This year’s event was to create an opportunity for Africans and the African Diasporans to promote their cultures to enable them play their role in the development and peace in the continent.
Mr. Addourahamane Diallo, UNESCO Country Manager, said the World Day celebration is UNESCO’s aspirations to honour and highlight such cultures in their diversity and actuality.
“For, if we are to build back better and differently, we will need the inspirational power of culture. Promotion of African and Afro-descendant cultures is very important as the global crisis has exacerbated all the tensions in our societies. The fact is that these cultures offer pride, answers and something to heal even the deepest wounds”. Ms Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO remarked.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Mr. Akwasi Agyeman in his address said, “Africa will remain the vehicle of hope on the world map, despite the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic.
World Day for African and Afro-descendant culture is held every year on 24 January to celebrate the diverse and vibrant culture of the African continent and African Diasporas around the world, and promote them as an effective lever for sustainable development, dialogue and peace. UNESCO adopted this day at the 40th session of the UNESCO General Conference in 2019. The dates coincide with the adoption of the Charter for African Cultural Renaissance in 2006 by the Heads of State and Government of the African Union.
The celebration of World Day for African and Afro-descendant culture is also aimed 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.
Other dignitaries including, Ambassador Erieka Bennett, Diaspora African Forum, Mr. Akwasi Awuah Ababio, Director of Diaspora Affairs, Office of the President, and Jessica Ayivor, President of the African American Association of Ghana (AAAG) were present at the ceremony.
Akufo-Addo implores further support for “Beyond the Return”
President Akufo-Addo wants Ghanaians to extend their supportive attitude portrayed towards the “Year of Return”, to this year’s “Beyond the Return” initiative.
President Akufo-Addo believes it was due to such an attitude that the year of return was a success and he wants to see same for Beyond the Return.
A statement from the Presidency indicated that, “the welcoming attitude and the warm Ghanaian hospitality proved to be the strongest attention to hundreds of thousands of our ‘kith and kin’ from the African diaspora, who thronged our shores to commemorate the year of return.
“I urge all Ghanaians to demonstrate this same level of excitement and commitment that characterised the “Year of Return,” he added.
President Akufo-Addo initiated the Year of Return to invite all diasporans back home to not only learn more but explore and even invest in the country.
Since this initiative began many African-Americans have made their way into the country to learn more about their history. Some include Steve Harvey , Samuel L Jackson , Anthony Anderson, Micheal Jai White, Boris Kodjoe, Nicole Ari Parker, Diggy Simmons and many others.
The President launched the now “Beyond the Return” initiative as a way to continue with and solidify relations between Africans and those in the diaspora.
He said the “Year of Return’, proved itself to be exciting, and afforded Ghanaians the chance to re-establish, intensify and solidify the relations between those of us on the continent and those in the diaspora.”
He further commended the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and other institutions and persons who made The Year of Return possible for “their sense of professionalism and dedication to duty, which enabled them to preserve the peace and security of our country in the course of the celebration.”
The President also urged Ghanaians to take advantage of all opportunities that the initiative will present as this “will entail that we engage in mutually beneficial trade, investment and cultural co-operation with the Africa Diaspora.”
Year Of Return: President Akufo-Addo Confers Ghanaian Citizenship On 126 Diasporans
The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, on Wednesday, 27th November 2019, conferred Ghanaian citizenship on 126 Diasporans, who have lived in Ghana for many years.
Speaking after the conferment ceremony, President Akufo-Addo stated that “I am glad you have decided to make Ghana your home, and thereby, join several generations of Diasporans, who committed their lives to us.”
He noted that several persons, including the likes of George Padmore, Bob Marley’s widow, Rita, Maya Angelou, and W.E.B du Bois all found homes in Ghana, with the latter buried in the country.
With the ceremony being part of the series of activities commemorating the ‘Year of Return’, the President stated that Ghana recognizes her position as the location for 75 per cent of the slave dungeons built on the West coast of Africa, through which the slaves were transported.
“That is why we had a responsibility to extend a hand of welcome back home to Africans in the diaspora. Many have responded to this call, and the ‘Year of Return’ has so far proven to be a joyful and learning experience all round for all of us,” he said.
To the 126 Diasporans, the President urged them to respect and abide by the laws of Ghana and live in accordance with the tenets of Ghana’s Constitution.
“You have the responsibility of preserving and promoting the image of a country whose reputation, amongst the comity of nations, is, today, high. You are citizens of a country that is regarded as one of the most stable on the continent, a beacon of democracy, governed by the rule of law and respect for individual liberties, human rights and the principles of democratic accountability, as a result of the commendable acts and deeds of past and present generations of your fellow Ghanaians,” he said.
The President continued, “In all your actions, I urge you to guard jealously our country’s image. It is a charge, I am confident, you will uphold. In doing so, I suggest that to facilitate the process of re-integration, you learn at least one Ghanaian language of your choice – Akan, Ewe, Ga, Dagbani, Hausa, or Nzema, amongst others.”
President Akufo-Addo urged them also to be engaged fully in the realization of the vision of a Ghana Beyond Aid.
“Simply put, I just want us to be self-confident, and accept that we shall never reach the level of development we aspire to by relying on aid or external assistance, no matter how generous. It is a mindset that I wish us to discard, a mindset of dependency and living on handouts,” he added.
President Akufo-Addo, in concluding, paid tribute to the late Otanka Obetsebi-Lamptey, Jake to others, who, as Minister for Tourism and Diasporan Relations under the Government of the 2nd President of the 4th Republic, the outstanding Ghanaian statesman, His Excellency John Agyekum Kufuor, championed the cause for the return of descendants of the slave trade to their homes of origin.
“He instituted the “Joseph Project”, whose aim was to reconcile and unite the African peoples, on the continent and in the Diaspora, and to release their energies to help build Africa and the Caribbean. This ceremony would be a happy moment for him,” he added.
Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley, Visits Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum
On her second day in Ghana, Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley, visited the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park and Mausoleum. Her delegation, along with Samia Nkrumah, Chairperson of the CPP political party and daughter of Kwame Nkrumah, Hon. Barbara Oteng-Gyasi, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture and Mr. Akwasi Agyeman, CEO of Ghana Tourism Authority and Coordinator for Year of Return, took an early morning tour to pay respect to one of the greatest Pan-African leaders.
Mottley expressed how truly honoured she was that Samia Nkrumah had chosen to join them this morning on their tour. “All of my adult life, I know of the name and work of Kwame Nkrumah and he has been an inspiration for all who have believed that justice is possible,” she said after the tour. Together with her team, they toured the grounds and visited the museum and burial site of Kwame Nkrumah and his wife Fathia Nkrumah, who was buried near him.
Prime Minister Mottley expressed her idea that education and equity go hand in hand when it comes to affecting civilization and allowing us to be the best we can be. It was evident that her experience so far has been impactful on her. “That I have this opportunity not just to visit Ghana, but to come and pay homage and respects on behalf of Barbadian people…to the memory and legacy of Dr. Kwame Nkruman is a matter of great pride for me,” she said.
She is expected to participate in the Dumba Festival in Tamale later.
Photos: Year Of Return Kumasi Carnival Held
Over the weekend the maiden Global African Diaspora Kumasi Carnival 2019 was held in Kumasi. There was so much energy and the connection between the Caribbean Diaspora and local Ghanaians was strong. Powerful words were spoken by many about staying connected.
Supporting the event was Miss Trinidad & Tobago UK who said for her “Ghana feels like home”.
This is the first, and organisers hope to continue it as an annual event and celebration that attracts travellers every year.
A group from Suriname was there and made some strong statements about coming back home to Ghana and wanting to be embraced by Ghana.
Just before the procession began, the Suriname group wanted to express themselves.
It carnival procession ended with Street Fair and a variety show in the evening.
Year of Return: Miss Heritage Global Pageant launched as part of preparation to host the World
The Miss Heritage Global pageant is not like any other beauty pageant. According to Mudzithe Phiri, Business Development Manager of Miss Heritage Global, it’s an international event that is bringing together culture ambassadors from around the world. This pageant is an opportunity for the contestants to share the culture of their home country while learning about others and to experience the culture of other beauty queens through interacting with them.
Miss Heritage Global was previously held in Zimbabwe and South Africa. When asked why the move to Ghana Phiri said, “Because Ghana is one of the countries on the continent that has managed to keep its culture intact. When you come to Ghana you immediately see that the local culture has been brought into the new century with all the modern cultures that have been brought from the rest of the world, but Ghana’s culture still stands through. You see the pride in the people,” she said. “We wanted a country that would really give the contestants an African experience…and with this year being the ‘Year of Return’ in Ghana, it was a great time to make the move.
The official launch took place at the Ghana Tourism Authority Headquarters on 10thJuly 2019, and the MC for the event was Nana Amperibea Boadu, from the Year of Return Secretariat, which is located at the Accra Tourist Information Centre. Present for the media launch were key partners in supporting the upcoming event in Ghana. Mr. Akwasi Agyeman, CEO of Ghana Tourism Authority and Coordinator for Year of Return, Mr. Akwasi Ababio, Director of Diaspora Affairs, Office of the President and Chairman for Year of Return, Mr. Kwadwo Antwi, CEO of Ghana Tourist Development Company, and Diallo Sumbry, Founder The Adinkra Group and Member of the Year of Return Steering Committee were all at the high table to lend their voices to the exciting event and what it means for Ghana and Year of Return.
There will be 55 contestants representing different countries from around the world. They arrive in Ghana on 10thof August and the main event takes place on 20thAugust at the Accra International Conference Centre. This gives the ladies a 10-day experience in Ghana and puts pressure on our own Eugenia Abotsi, Miss Heritage Global Ghana 2019, to be the perfect host of her home country. “I’m excited because I get to share the culture of Ghana with the entire world,” she said. “I’m excited because if I’m able to sell Ghana well to the other contestants it means that when they go back to their various countries, they can continue to sell Ghana to others.”
When Agyeman gave his closing remarks he spoke of how having the pageant in Ghana during this year of return was the perfect time. “Our arms are wide open to everybody to return to Ghana,” he said. “Ghana is the centre of the world and so the centre represents the coming together of different people of different races and different tribes as one people. That is what we are about.” He thanked the media and bloggers for being there to share the event with the masses. JoyPrime will be airing the competition on its channel. Nana Yaa Sarpong, Channel Manager was there and pledged the commitment they will make to promote the pageant on their TV station along with some of their partner radio stations with Multimedia.
Miss Heritage Global was founded in 2013 for the purpose of promoting the preservation of our global heritage and to create an environment of culture sharing to inspire tolerance as more communities are becoming diverse around the world. This year’s event is in partnership with Ghana Tourism Authority and The Ministry of Tourism Art & Culture. The main event takes place on 20thAugust and will also feature performances from some of Africa’s biggest entertainers. For more information and the full list of participants visit www.missheritage.organd follow all their social media platforms @missheritageglobal.
Written by Ivy Prosper
Ghana reduces visa fees on arrival for ‘The Year of Return’
The government of Ghana has reduced visa fees on arrival for “The Year of Return, Ghana 2019”. The fee is reduced to $75 from the initial $150. The move is to allow for many people living in the Diaspora to participate in the various activities for the programme.
The Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Charles Owiredu, made the revelation while speaking to the Diplomatic Corps on the programme in Accra.
He said, “Our Missions’ abroad are liaising with Ghanaians associations, airlines, etc to work and make it relatively easy and convenient for those travelling to Ghana to participate in the programmes of “The Year of Return, Ghana 2019.”
“The Government of Ghana is also in the process of working to have visa agreements with some countries such as those in the Caribbean where the Diaspora total number is quite significant. This year, for instance, the government of Ghana and Jamaica established a visa-free agreement where nationals of each of the two countries do not need a visa to travel to the countries,” he stressed.
The deputy minister further noted that in line with President Akufo-Addo’s vision of a “Ghana Beyond Aid”, the engagement of the Diaspora remained a major development programme of the government.
“With its democratic credentials, rule of law and the stability of the country, Ghana intended to serve as a pacesetter for welcoming their own back to their roots and to provide for assimilating them into the Ghanaian society in particular and African societies in general,” he said.
The year-long event which commenced at the beginning of this year is a major landmark spiritual and birth-right journey inviting the Global African family, home and abroad, to mark 400 years of the arrival of the first enslaved Africans in Jamestown, Virginia.
The program also aims at celebrating the cumulative resilience of all the victims of the Trans-Atlantic slave Trade who were scattered and displaced through the world in North America, South America, the Caribbean, Europe and Asia.
Source: myjoyonline
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Year of Return: Virgin-islands Senators Open the Floor to Culture
Bills the Senate had passed recognizing the importance of the culture and heritage of the Virgin Islands were read, but it was song, dance and poetry that brought Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall on St. Thomas alive during the morning celebration that ran into the afternoon. Viewers of the performances on its live broadcast on Facebook said the performances brought tears to their eyes.
The Ulla F. Muller Elementary School Bamboula Dancers accompanied by drummers danced in the Senate Chamber and brought comments on Facebook about how beautiful the performance was. So did the dance performance by Earth Mamas Pan African Dance Company. The third dance performance was by Empresses Addaliah and Atiyah Potter.
The program was tied together with a sober theme. It commemorated the men, the women and the children who were yanked from their West African homes and sold into slavery so a profit-crazed minority could make larger profits. A PBS video was played, “Why Did Europeans Enslave Africans?”
The video illustrated how slavery was about making a profit for slave owners and how slavery evolved into racism.
Jackson told some of the story of Virgin Islander’s ancestors.
“They fought, they were thrown overboard, they were eaten by sharks, they gave birth, they died,” he said. Most Virgin Islanders have the blood of the survivors “running in our veins,” he said.
The connection between Ghana and the Virgin Islands’ past and present families was emphasized
From Ghana, Alex Quaison-Sackey spoke about the connection. He is related to the first black African to serve as president of the United Nations General Assembly. Virgin Islander Myron Allick, representing the Sackey Family, spoke of that family’s connection to Ghana. He proposed an exchange program between Ghana and the Virgin Islands – 25 Virgin Islanders going to Ghana and 25 students from Ghana coming to the Virgin Islands. He suggested Carlsberg Brewery, which brews Elephant, a popular beer for Virgin Islanders, as a sponsor for the exchange.
Assata Afua, director of Black Power Theater, recounted her visit to Ghana and said when she returned, “I came back to St. Thomas my shoulders back a little further and my head a little higher.”
The first slave ship arrived in Jamestown in 1619. Jackson said that the settlers of Jamestown had stopped in the Virgin Islands on their way to settle Jamestown in 1607. He said. “The Virgin Islands are linked to this story, a world story.”
A Dutch ship named Desire delivered the 20 enslaved Africans to Jamestown. Some historians estimated that more than 7 million slaves were taken from Africa in the following century.
Jahwed David read a poem recalling the words of Maya Angelo “I am the hope and dream of slaves.”
Behind the speakers in the Senate Chambers was a large portrait of Edward Wilmot Blyden, widely known as the father of Pan-Africanism. He was born on Saint Thomas in 1832. He migrated back to Africa where he became a political figure.
Emancipation Day – July 3 – commemorates the day in 1848 when 9,000 enslaved Africans on St. Croix demanded their freedom, forcing Gov. Peter von Scholten to declare, “All unfree in the Danish West Indies are from today emancipated.”
Source: St. John Virgin Islands