African-Americans demand the right of abode
The Association of Africans in the Diaspora (AAD) on Friday called on African governments to remove bottle-necks that hinder African-Americans from coming to stay on the continent.
Ms Maisie Meggon Howell, AAD Representative said most times, when Africa- Americans arrive on the continent they are given a huge welcome and told they can come and stay, but the reality comes when they have to renew their visas or to extend their stay.
She therefore challenged the government to lead the way in offering Africans in the Diaspora a right of abode.
Ms Howell made the call when she opened a high level forum to discuss “Pan-Africanism and the African Renaissance- The Unfinished Agenda,” which was held as part of this year’s PANAFEST/Emancipation Day celebration.
The ceremony was attended by personalities in the creative arts industry and people from other African countries as well as chiefs and queen mothers.
Mr Victor Moffat, Convener of Think Africa Forum kick-started the deliberations with an African Union touch.
Ms Pavelyn Tendai Musaka, Zimbabwe’s Ambassador, who spoke on behalf of the Diplomatic Corps noted that the real dream of the African Union (AU) is yet to be achieved and advised fellow Africans not to look outside for solutions to Africa’s problems.
She explained that looking at other continents for solutions to Africa’s problem is a major stumbling block hindering an effective AU.
Mr Rashid Pelpou, Minister of State Responsible for Public-Private Partnership, said the celebration of PANAFEST/ Emancipation Day should be a rallying point to deliberate on things that plague the African family, which has become an impediment for attaining social and economic advancement and total freedom.
Mr Pelpou who represented President John Dramani Mahama said: “The occasion should ignite some passion in us to examine efforts being made at different levels in our respective countries, cities and communities to bring development to the doorsteps of the citizenry.”
He noted that re-discovering the African heritage is a foundation for building the African future and emphasised that the people of Africa ought to be able to achieve dignity of managing their own affairs.
Ms Hannah Tetteh, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, who chaired the forum, urged the delegates to give meaning to what the AU is doing for Africans.
Mrs Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, expressed her determination to facilitate a brand of tourism, which would enrich the experience of people of African descent and inspire them to work together for the betterment of Africans.
Professor Atukwei Okai, Secretary General of the Pan-African Writers Association (PANA) also gave a wake-up call on the need for the creation of a United States of Africa, stressing that the time is now.
He said: “Let us stop being dependent on the outside world because everything is within, the days when we allowed the world to overwhelm us is over.”
Mr Richard Owusu, President of the Pan African Youth Clubs appealed to government to help his organisation to form youth clubs in all secondary schools in Ghana.
He expressed the hope that the future of Africa lies in the hands of the youth.
Source: GNA
I applaud all those who see and understand, and are working to implement African Americans who seek abode in Africa. Let Ghana lead the way, as she has always done, in the development and establishment of positive policies that will facility the reunification between we who were stolen, and you who were invaded, to forge a United Continent of Africa – As brother Marcus Garvey tried to do so very long ago. I truly wish you every success, and would appreciate it if you would please keep me apprised of the progress and any information you wish me to share with my readers both in The African Sun Times, and my blog: Gloria Dulan-Wilson Blog. As a woman who had the honor or graduating from Lincoln University, in Pennsylvania, the Alma Mater of Osagefo Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first President (and Nnamde Azikewe, Nigeria’s first president), there is a very special place in my heart for all my brothers and sisters from Ghana here in the US, as well as there in our Motherland. We wish to thank you for making this a priority and a goal. Stay Blessed & ECLECTICALLY BLACK – Gloria Dulan-Wilson