Vice President, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, formally inaugurated the 17th edition of PANAFEST and Emancipation Day 2025 on Saturday,July 26 in a ceremony underscoring the country’s efforts to preserve historical memory and promote unity with the global African diaspora.
Held in the Central Region, the event marks a significant moment in Ghana’s cultural calendar. PANAFEST—short for the Pan-African Historical Theatre Festival—commemorates the transatlantic slave trade while celebrating the resilience of African identity and heritage.
In remarks delivered during a durbar that drew local dignitaries, community leaders, and international attendees, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang urged Ghanaians and diaspora communities alike to confront the historical traumas of slavery and reclaim their narrative. “We must never forget the past, but let it serve as a compass toward unity, dignity, and progress,” she said.
She reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to opposing oppression in all its forms, positioning the nation as a continuing advocate for freedom and Pan-African solidarity.
The Vice President also turned attention to domestic policy, emphasizing the role of youth in driving Ghana’s future. She called for comprehensive, youth-focused policies, advocating greater investment in education, skills training, and economic empowerment initiatives.
“Without investing in our young people, we risk losing our future,” she noted, pointing to the need for sustained public and private sector collaboration in youth development.
PANAFEST, first held in 1992, continues to draw participants from across the African continent, the Caribbean, North America, and Europe, positioning Ghana as a cultural and historical touchstone in global conversations around race, history, and identity.
