Tourism Minister Calls for African Reawakening at PANAFEST 2025
Dzifa Gomashie Issues Stirring Call to Reclaim African Identity at PANAFEST 2025
Cape Coast, Ghana – In a powerful and emotional speech during the 2025 PANAFEST and Emancipation Day celebrations, Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, called on Africans everywhere to rise above the psychological and economic chains left behind by the Transatlantic Slave Trade and colonial rule.
Speaking on Saturday, July 26, to a crowd that included traditional leaders, African diaspora representatives, and cultural stakeholders, Gomashie emphasized that the celebrations should not be viewed merely as a historical commemoration—but as a call to consciousness and reparative justice.
“This is not just a celebration,” she declared. “It is a call for reparative justice and a reawakening of African consciousness.”
Gomashie challenged Africans to shake off the racial inferiority complexes and exploitative economic systems inherited from colonial powers, warning that these continue to distort the continent’s development and self-worth.
Reclaiming Identity Through Culture
The Minister emphasized that Ghana’s rich cultural heritage must be central in reclaiming both dignity and independence. She called on citizens and the global African diaspora to unite in rejecting mental and economic dependence—hallmarks of colonial influence.
“Our culture is not just about festivals or rituals—it’s the soul of who we are. We must embrace it, preserve it, and elevate it,” she said.
The Black Star Experience: A Gateway to Unity
Gomashie highlighted the government’s commitment to the Black Star Experience, a signature tourism and cultural initiative spearheaded by President John Dramani Mahama. Describing it as a cornerstone of the national tourism agenda, she said the project aims to position Ghana as the spiritual and cultural homeland for people of African descent worldwide.
“The Ministry of Art and Tourism is proud to champion the Black Star Experience. Ghana is not just the gateway to Africa—it’s the place where our shared story begins again.”
A Gathering for Healing and Vision
This year’s PANAFEST events brought together key cultural and traditional institutions, including the Oguaa Traditional Council, the Central Regional House of Chiefs, and members of the African diaspora, creating a space for both remembrance and vision casting.
As drums echoed through Cape Coast and libations were poured in memory of enslaved ancestors, the message was clear: Africa must define its own future, rooted in pride, justice, and unity.
