Ghana's 50th Anniversary in Prague

Press Release: Humanitas Afrika celebrates the 50th Anniversary of Ghana in Prague, Czech Republic.

On March 6, 1957, Ghana became the first country in Africa south of the Sahara to achieve independence from colonial rule. Founded on the twin pillars of freedom and justice, the country prides itself as a welcoming country that promotes respects, tolerance and human rights.

2007, marks the 50th anniversary of independence and all that it stands for. The Ghanaian government is marking the anniversary with a year-long Golden Jubilee celebration as a "unique opportunity for national reflection and renewal of the intent and spirit behind the struggle for independence half a century ago." The year-long celebration begins in January 2007 and ends in December 2007.

The theme for the anniversary celebration in Prague is: Ghana Celebrates, Africa Rejoices. Africa rejoices because of the fact that Ghana's first President, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, envisioned this country as the guiding light of African independence in its entirety and solidarity amongst its people. Indeed Ghana's attainment of independence and the subsequent ideological support it extended to other colonized countries on the continent caused a catalytic effect that led to the political emancipation of the rest of the African continent.

Kwame Nkrumah took the view that the independence of Ghana was meaningless unless it was linked up to the total liberation of the African continent. It was this view and the logistic support he lent to the political struggles for freedom throughout the continent that made all the difference to the liberation movement in Africa. He argued very intellectually for the unity of the African continent and politically championed the establishment of what came to be known as the Organisation of African Unity, which later gave birth to the African Union of today.

From 1957 and throughout the '60s, Ghana was thus acknowledged as the Black Star of Africa and understandably so. But Ghana is not a country of yester years only. Today it is often alluded to in international circles as the beacon state of Africa in recognition of its political stability, functional democracy and relative economic heights.

Ghanaian Kofi Annan, who left his post as United Nations Secretary-General in December 2006, was home to deliver the Golden Jubilee inaugural lecture. In his speech, he reminisced about his early days as the U.N.'s highest-ranking official.

"I believed that a new era was in prospect--Africa's third wave to succeed earlier swells of decolonization and the ensuing years of wars and conflicts.

I called on Africa to make this third wave one of enduring development, peace and respect for human rights.

Over the ensuing decade, I have been privileged to see this third wave unfold. Not always as forcefully as we might have wished. But inexorably and unstoppably, it has continued to flow across this rich, vast and varied continent.

As a Ghanaian, I am proud that 50 years after my country led a wave of African independence, Ghana is at the forefront of Africa's third wave as well. What we need now is to keep building on the progress we have achieved so far."

Humanitas Afrika is proud to join hands in building on that progress "achieved so far" through its awareness programmes in the Czech Republic and educational projects in Africa. In light of that and on 30 June 2007, Humanitas Afrika would mark the golden anniversary celebration of Ghana with socio cultural activities in Prague, at Club Manes.

The programme includes:

African creativity afternoon for kids

West Africa symbols, African dance workshop, ceramics, board games Time: 14 - 17 p.m.

and

Music party Time: 20 p.m. - 02 a.m. African rhythms, reggae, salsa and more with the four best African DJs in Prague

fashion show * live percussion performance * step dance * minimarket of African products * African food tasting * tombola

All friends and fans of Africa, partners and sympathisers of Humanitas Afrika and indeed the general public are welcome to join us in celebrating this very important hallmark in African achievements. You will be happy to join! Thank you.