The Ghana Tourism Authority has officially kicked off the Emancipation Day celebrations in Accra with the theme ‘Unity and Resilience: Building Stronger communities for a Brighter Future’.
At the launch event, Deputy Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mark Okraku-Mantey, highlighted the importance of reflecting on our ancestors’ struggles and triumphs, emphasizing the resilience and strength they exhibited in the face of adversity.
He stated, “slavery and emancipation are real-life events in our history. They are also symbols of the remarkable capacity of the human spirit to struggle and triumph over adversity. We have always known ourselves to be people who have turned our hearts against injustice, inhumanity, and deception.” This year’s celebration is set to take place from July 22 to August 1, 2024, under the theme of unity and resilience.
The Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), Akwasi Agyemang, also revealed plans to redevelop tourist sites, including the Salaga slave market, to honor the courage, community, and culture of African ancestors and the diaspora.
He mentioned that the redevelopment is based on celebrating the courage of our ancestors who fought relentlessly, the community of African diaspora, and the culture of Africans.
Emancipation Day, celebrated on August 1, has its origins in the Caribbean, commemorating the abolition of chattel slavery in British colonies in 1834.
It has become an annual event in Ghana, symbolizing freedom and unity for people of African descent.
The event serves as a tribute to the pioneers of the freedom struggle and the resilience of the African spirit.
