Deputy Tourism Minister Urges Africans to Build United, Prosperous Continent on Emancipation Day
The Deputy Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Mr Yussif Issaka Jajah, has called on Africans to draw inspiration from the sacrifices of their forebears and work towards a united, prosperous and dignified continent.
He made the call while delivering the keynote address on behalf of the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Madam Abla Dzifa Gomashie, during the 2026 Emancipation Day commemoration on Thursday in Accra.
The Ghana Tourism Authority, in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts and its partners, marked the occasion with wreath-laying ceremonies at the W.E.B. Du Bois Centre, the George Padmore Research Library and the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park.
Mr Jajah described the occasion as a solemn moment to honour Ghana’s founding father, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, and the countless Africans who endured the horrors of slavery.
He said this year’s theme, “Reconnecting Roots, Celebrating Freedom, Experience Ghana,” reflected Ghana’s commitment to preserving its shared history while strengthening the enduring bonds between Africa and people of African descent across the world.
According to him, Emancipation Day serves as a reminder of one of humanity’s darkest chapters while celebrating the resilience, courage and enduring spirit of those who resisted oppression.
The Deputy Minister reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to preserving Ghana’s heritage sites, promoting authentic cultural experiences and positioning the country as the preferred destination for heritage, cultural and diaspora tourism.
He said preserving history and strengthening ties with the African diaspora remained central to Ghana’s tourism and cultural agenda.
The Presidential Special Envoy on Reparations, Ambassador Dr Ekow Spio Garbrah, who was the Special Guest of Honour, described the commemoration as both a remembrance of the past and a call to action.
He said the transatlantic slave trade and colonial exploitation continue to have lasting economic, social and psychological consequences for Africa and its diaspora, adding that the global reparations movement is about justice, truth, restoration and human dignity rather than charity.
Dr Spio Garbrah said Ghana continued to play a leading role in advancing the reparations agenda under President John Dramani Mahama’s position as the African Union Champion for Reparations.
He urged the international community to support meaningful dialogue, restitution and the return of African cultural heritage. He also encouraged young people to learn about the history of slavery and colonialism and commit themselves to building a more just and united future.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Maame Efua Houadjeto, said Emancipation Day was a time for reflection, remembrance and renewed commitment to Pan-African unity.
She said emancipation remained an ongoing journey towards dignity, justice and identity, and called on Africans across the continent and in the diaspora to reject xenophobia and embrace solidarity.
According to her, Ghana’s flagship initiatives, including the Year of Return, Beyond the Return and the Black Star Experience, continue to strengthen cultural ties, attract investment and reconnect people of African descent with their ancestral homeland.
She noted that the greatest tribute to Africa’s ancestors would be the collective effort to build a united continent where every African feels welcomed, valued and at home.
Irene Wirekoaa Osei, ISD
