Africans urged to unite

Accra Aug. 9, GNA - The Minister of Tourism and the Modernisation of the Capital City, has urged Africans at home and the Diaspora, to forge unity and pool resources to engender rejuvenation of the Continent.

Mr Jake Obetsebi- Lamptey, who was speaking at a Dinner and Awards Night, held by his sector ministry, on Sunday to round-off activities marking this year's Emancipation Day, charged Africans to "make this century the African century."

He stressed: "True emancipation means rediscovering ourselves as Africans."

A number of corporate organisations that contributed towards this year's annual event, on the theme: "Retracing our steps- The Path to Development," where awarded.

Mr Obetsebi-Lamptey said the 2007 celebration of the Day would be very unique since it marks 200 years of the abolition of slavery in Africa.

Ms Eva Lokko, Director General of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, who spoke on behalf of the award winners, said it was time Africans strive to be independent from foreign influences "to showcase true Emancipation".

International artistes' and groups like Amni Ben Gavriel, and the Spirit of David Dance Theatre Group from Israel thrilled the audience to a number of performances.

Emancipation Day celebration was pioneered in Ghana, in 1998, to serve as a period of reflection on the traumatic effects of the slave trade on Africans.