Accra: Professor Esi Sutherland-Addy, Chairperson of the PANAFEST Foundation, has emphasized the need for ongoing initiatives to preserve the memory of Africans affected by slavery, and to further the principles of justice, unity, and Pan-Africanism.
According to Ghana News Agency, Prof. Sutherland-Addy highlighted the importance of remembering the struggles endured by enslaved Africans as a means to inspire continued efforts towards achieving freedom and dignity for people of African descent. Her remarks were made during the 2026 Emancipation Day commemoration in Accra, themed 'Reconnecting Roots, Celebrating Freedom, Experience Ghana.'
Prof. Sutherland-Addy urged the public to honor those who came before by continuing the struggle they initiated, rather than seeking individual recognition. She stressed that remembrance is crucial in maintaining commitment to addressing historical injustices, drawing a parallel with how Christians repeatedly commemorate the death of Jesus Christ to reinforce faith and purpose.
The Chairperson pointed out that the theme of the celebration entrusts Ghana with the responsibility to lead efforts in reconnecting Africa with its diaspora worldwide. While acknowledging initiatives like PANAFEST, the Year of Return, and Beyond the Return, Prof. Sutherland-Addy urged that these achievements be transformed into tangible actions.
She emphasized the need for Ghanaians to confront the history of slavery, underscoring the importance of understanding the past to fully appreciate the significance of emancipation. Prof. Sutherland-Addy also called on traditional authorities to develop rites that help communities symbolically address the legacy of slavery.
Highlighting the enduring impact of enslavement, she noted that it affected not only those taken across the Atlantic but also the families and communities that remained on the continent. This impact, she mentioned, is evident in aspects of Ghana's traditional architecture, settlement patterns, and cultural practices that reflect the trauma associated with the slave trade.
Prof. Sutherland-Addy expressed concern over the inadequate integration of slavery history and the African diaspora into Ghana's educational system, urging a shift from indifference to action in educating children.
She called for enhanced collaboration among government institutions, ministries, and organizations involved in emancipation, heritage preservation, and diaspora engagement. Prof. Sutherland-Addy concluded by urging stakeholders to work together towards meaningful reparatory justice, emphasizing that Ghana's leadership in reconnecting Africa with its diaspora entails leading by example.