Let's uplift Africa from poverty and mediocrity - Oboshie

from My Joy Online, Ghana

Wreaths were placed in several locations in Ghana in a holidaycelebration. Politicians made speeches on poverty in the country during the ceremony. - Kale, Poverty News Blog editor

The need for Ghanaians to join hands with the entire African community to work hard to uplift the continent from poverty, mediocrity and ethnic differences took centre stage at this year's wreath laying ceremony held in honour of three Pan-Africanists in Accra on Friday.

The wreath-laying ceremony is done annually to officially start the celebration of Emancipation Day.

Mrs. Oboshie Sai-Cofie, Minister of Tourism and Diasporan Relations, said: "As we stand here today in reverent memory, at a place where the mortal remains of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah was interred, let us collectively re-commit ourselves to achieve his vision of a free, united Africa."

She expressed strong belief that Ghanaians and Africans had an obligation to forge solidarity in line with the aims and aspirations of the founding fathers of Pan-Africanism, including Dr. W.E.B. Du Bois, Marcus Garvey, George Padmore and Dr Kwame Nkrumah.

Mr. Musiliu Obanikoro, Nigerian High Commissioner to Ghana, urged the Ministry of Tourism and Diasporan Relations to involve all African countries in the celebration, noting that Emancipation Day celebration was significant to all Africans.

"It should be a time when all Africans have a sober reflection on why there was an extreme wickedness by humans to their fellow human beings."

Africans need to fight slavery in all forms, he said, and explained that there was now intellectual slavery among Africans because it seemed people were not able to think by themselves.

"Now the developed world does everything for us, we are not able to do things or formulate policies for ourselves as Africans," Mr. Obanikoro said.

He said there was still slavery on the continent, adding: "The struggle is yet to end...the challenges ahead are greater than the ones we fought and won."

He further called on the sector ministry to ensure that the Ghanaian populace joined in the celebration since there was the need for them to understand the celebration.

Rabbi Kohain, a member of the Pan African festival (PANAFEST) Board, also stressed the significance of the celebration and said emancipation should be an inspiration for Africans to handle the challenges that lay ahead of the continent.

Africa is not yet emancipated economically, intellectually and socially, he said, but noted that emancipation was an on-going process and expressed the hope that we would get there as a continent.

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