The 2025 Pan-African Historical Theatre Festival (PANAFEST) and Emancipation Day celebrations have been climaxed with a flamboyant grand durbar at Assin Manso in the Central Region.

The chiefs and people of the four traditional areas of Assin, joined by the African Diaspora community, government officials and hundreds of enthusiastic citizens gathered under a large and colourful umbrella of reconciliation, hope and historical renaissance to further the quest for a renewed Africa.

Reparative justice, unity, and environmental sustainability dominated discussions in the culturally rich festive atmosphere.

The drumming, singing, and dancing, traditional regalia and the use of native languages wove a bright broad fabric of organic African culture.

The occasion marked the 17th PANAFEST and 27th Emancipation Day celebrations on the themes “Let us speak of reparative justice – Pan African artistic activism” and “Community development through environmental sustainability and tourism” respectively.

The twin-festival does not only commemorate the inhumane crimes of the past but also facilitates unity and enhances cultural pride and promotes responsible governance.

Traditional authorities led Madam Abla Dzifa Gomashie, the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, and other government officials, and the Diaspora Africans to perform rituals at the Ancestral Graveyard at Assin Manso to honour the sacrifices of the ancestors and evoke their blessings.

Wreaths were laid on behalf of government and the people, the diaspora community, the youth of Africa and traditional rulers.

Madam Dzifa Gomashie highlighted the devastating effects of slavery on the African people and reiterated the calls for reparation, insisting that reparative justice was “a normal and historical obligation.”

“Reparations must be more than an apology; it must be about restoration of heritage, of opportunity and of dignity. It is a recognition of the wrong done, an admission of same, and taking steps to right the wrongs of the past,” she said.

She noted that the atrocities suffered by the African ancestors were regrettable and paid tribute to them for their resilience and endurance which had brought freedom to many generations.

She described the return of the diaspora Africans as a “sacred pilgrimage and reconnection of family ties” cut by the slave trade and entreated them to return home often en bloc.

“You are not visitors; you are the children of Africa returning to embrace your ancestral land. Your Presence brings healing, reconciliation and hope,” the Minister noted.

“Let us carry on with a solemn pledge to never forget those who were lost, to build a future that honours their memory, to demand justice, and to live in unity, to keep alive spirit of freedom not just in words but in action, policy and purpose,” she said.

Mr Ekow Panyin Okyere Eduamoah, the Central Regional Minister, challenged political and traditional leaders to consciously manage the resources of the country judiciously to spur development, urging the diasporan community to exact accountability from leadership.

Beyond reparation, he insisted that it was the duty of African leaders to build and transform the Continent in all situations.

He invited more African across the world to visit and live in Ghana as the President was building a comfortable, sound and prosperous country.

Mr Jonathan Birikorang, the District Chief Executive for Assin South, who firmly advocated for environmental sustainability, sounded the alarm on indiscriminate disposal of refuse, destruction of water bodies, deforestation, hunting in forest reserves and other destructive practices.

He observed that such destructions undermined agriculture and food security, health, water, and economic growth, entreating all citizens to commit to preserving the natural resources to sustain lives and livelihoods.

Rev. Dr Ntim Fordjour, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin South, advocated the establishment of African heritage centres across Europe, the Americas, the Caribbean and other parts of the world to strengthen the connections between the Diaspora and the Continent.

He said the renewed demand for reparation was legitimate, while urging Africans abroad to return home and immerse themselves in the tradition of their ancestors.

He promised to use part of his MP’s common fund to construct an AstroTurf pitch for the Assin Manso community which would serve as a recreational facility and durbar ground.

Rabbi Kohain Nathanya Halevi, the Executive Director of the PANAFEST Foundation, dismissed the narrative that Africans were hostile and entreated Africans to take charge of their own narrative.

He stressed that Africa should take control of its destiny and urged Africans both at home and abroad to hold one another accountable as they worked towards healing and unity.

“Before we heal the world, we must begin by healing ourselves, and that healing must come with responsibility,” he stressed.

Barimba Kwame Nkyi XIII, the Paramount Chief of Assin Apimanim Traditional, expressed appreciation to all stakeholders for the dedication and commitment towards PANAFEST and called for unity at all levels to engender development.