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.