The 18th edition of the Emancipation Day celebration has been launched in Cape Coast with a call on Ghanaians especially the youth, to hold in high esteem the nation’s cultural and traditional values.
The event which was launched by the minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Mrs Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare was attended by a section of the stakeholders in the creative industry including chiefs among others.
This year’s celebration is on the theme: “Our Heritage, Our Strength,” with the sub-theme: “Empowering Our Youth through Pan African Culture.”
The launch witness performances from members of the Traditional Dancers who displayed a rich African cultural dance with their skilful steps and movements to the admiration of the invited guests and audience.
The audience who could not resist the rhythms from the drums joined the dancers to exhibit their skills.
Ghanaian based Afro-American OIADA Band in Cape Coast, also charmed the audience with a mix of songs and dances that symbolise African’s freedom.
The celebration would commence with wreath laying ceremonies on Thursday July 28, at the Du Bois Memorial Centre, George Padmore Research Library and the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park in Accra.
On the Friday evening, July 29, there would be a variety showcase dubbed: “Special Emancipation Variety Show,” at the Cape Coast Chapel Square featuring some drama troupes, the Seven Asafo Companies of Cape Coast, poets and musical artistes, among others.
This would be preceded by a procession of the Asafo Companies, Masqueraders, and the Cape Coast Community, among others, from Robert Mensah Sports Stadium at Siwdu to the Chapel Square.
On Saturday, July 30, Assin Praso, which was part of the slave route, would take the centre stage where there would be a durbar of chiefs and people to commemorate the event.
On Sunday July 31, there would be a Reverential Night; a vigil to usher in Emancipation Day, at the Cape Coast Castle, where many ancestors were shipped as human cargo to the Americas and elsewhere to work on plantations as slaves.
A Grand Durbar of chiefs and people would be held at Assin-Manso, which is also part of the Slave Corridor, and home to the Nnonko Nsuo, otherwise known as the Slave River, where the slaves had their bath before being shipped overseas, on August 1 2016 to climax the celebration.
Speaking at the launch, Mrs Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts said the 2016 Emancipation Day Celebration focuses attention on the youth who are the future leaders.
“In the spirit of Pan-Africanism, we are entreating all people of Africa descent, especially the youth to participate in this year’s celebration, come together and strengthen the bond of solidarity, and remember that unity is vital to the economic, social and political progress of the people of African descent.