Vice-President lays wreaths for Pan-African heroes

The Vice-President, Prof. John Evans Atta Mills, today laid wreaths at separate functions in Accra for the heroes of Pan-Africanism as part of activities marking the first celebration of Emancipation Day in Africa. He laid the first on behalf of the government and people of Ghana for Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, at his mausoleum and another for Dr W.E.B. Dubois, Marcus Garvey and George Padmore at the Dubois Memorial Centre.

Hitherto, Emancipation Day was celebrated on 1st August every year only in the Caribbean until President Rawlings' visit last year , when it was decided to mark the event in Ghana.

Nana Akuoko Sarpong, Chairman of the National Commission on Culture also laid wreaths on behalf of traditional rulers in Africa and the Diaspora while Mr Sonny Carson, an African-American laid some for Africans in the Diaspora.

Other wreaths were laid by Madam Mary Nyanyo for the Caribbean while Evelyn Atindem and Kojo de Heer of the Marcus Garvey Youth League laid some for the youth of Africa. Speaking at both functions, Prof. Mills said with Africa and Africans in the Diaspora now free, they should "forge a strong alliance for the economic emancipation of our people so that we take our rightful place on the world stage."

He said Ghana's independence was not only for the nation but a major step forward in the fight for the emancipation of all peoples of African descent. The ceremonies were attended by a large number of African-Americans and Africans from the Diaspora.