Maame Efua Houadjeto, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), has hailed Panafest 2025 as a “sacred ground” for collective healing through artistic activism. This event underscores Ghana’s role as Africa’s cultural hub.
During the official launch of Panafest and Emancipation Day 2025 on June 23 at the Accra Tourism Information Centre, Houadjeto highlighted this year’s theme: “Let Us Speak of Reparative Justice – Pan-African Artistic Activism.”
She emphasized the importance of reparative justice, stating, “It is not a debate; it is a necessity, a matter of dignity, and a demand for historical redress.”
Since its inception in 1992, Panafest has served as a vital platform to address the legacies of the transatlantic slave trade, honouring ancestors and connecting Africans both on the continent and in the diaspora through vibrant cultural expressions.
The upcoming edition, scheduled from July 18 to August 1, will showcase an array of artistic formats, including spoken word, theatre, dance, visual arts, and digital storytelling, each designed to inspire resilience and resistance.
In partnership with the Panafest Foundation, the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, and various international collaborators, the GTA aims to present a rich program that includes dramatic reenactments, academic symposia, youth-led discussions, exhibitions, and dialogues, all aimed at bringing the concept of reparative justice to life.
Houadjeto also stressed Ghana’s leadership in the pursuit of cultural restitution, identity reclamation, and confronting the historical truths surrounding slavery, colonization, and ongoing global inequalities.
She called on global media, artists, scholars, and the diaspora to actively participate in this year’s festival, noting, “The media’s power is undeniable — you are the bridge to the world.”
Describing Panafest 2025 as both a celebration of African heritage and a catalyst for national transformation, she reinforced Ghana’s status as a cultural and intellectual center where past legacies are honored and future aspirations are shaped with intention.
