Accra (Greater Accra), 29 Jan ’99 – Africa’s unification along the lines of Pan-Africanism is the solution to the continent’s numerous problems, Dr George Kugblenu, Board Chairman of the W. E. B. Du Bois Centre for Pan-African Culture, said in Accra today. “The relevance of Pan-Africanism lies in the liberation of the continent from oppressive and Afro-pessimistic ideas and institutions which emanate from within and outside Africa,” he said. Dr Kugblenu was addressing a press conference organised by the centre to unveil its month-long programme to mark “African World History”, the first of its kind to be celebrated in Ghana. Activities lined up for the celebration next month include photo exhibitions on African culture, architecture, arts, personalities and inventions. Other activities are seminars, forums, video shows, craft bazaar and a Pan-African Jazz festival. The festival, which will run under the theme “The continued relevance of Pan-Africanism: an agenda for the 21st century”, will coincide with the 131st birthday of Dr Du Bois, father of Pan-Africanism. Dr Kugblenu said the Pan-African agenda of total liberation of the black man did not die with Du Bois, Dr Kwame Nkrumah and other Pan- Africanists since there is more work to be done. He said the centre has drawn up a programme to build in the youth the ideals of Pan-Africanism so that they will grow up to appreciate the philosophy better. Mrs Remel Moore, Executive Director of the Centre, said the festival which has for a long time been confined to the United States is being given a more international look to address the concerns, hopes and aspirations of the black race.
