The Sound of a Continent Rising: Voices in Africa’s unity

Accra is set to host a historic gathering as the Pan-African Progressive Front (PPF) convenes leaders, thinkers, and activists from across the continent and the diaspora.

The "International Conference of Pan-African Progressive Forces Commemorating the 5th Pan-African Congress," organised by the Pan-African Progressive Front, promises to be a defining moment for Africa’s collective future.

Over two transformative days, experts, movement leaders, thinkers, and cultural icons will confront the pressing challenges of African unity, reparations, and development, culminating in the Accra Declaration, which will become a roadmap for Africa’s political and economic resurgence.

This important declaration is influenced by a well-thought-out political and economic program, focusing on how Africa will be able to become a pole of strength and a center for fair economic development in the world.

Under the theme "From Historical Memory to Economic and Political Justice," participants from 56 countries, representing African nations and diaspora communities, will come together to exchange ideas, forge partnerships, and chart a shared path toward development and empowerment.

The conference will feature, as part of its proceedings, an exhibition to showcase Africa’s journey of resilience and creativity; a living testament to the continent’s enduring spirit and cultural pride.

The conference will be formally opened with remarks from VIPs and distinguished leaders, including prominent figures in Pan-African advocacy, whose reflections underscore the urgency of continental solidarity in the 21st century.

While the conference is scheduled to begin in 4 days, some notable speakers have shared their thoughts and anticipation in interviews towards the new African path being drawn.

“It is a great honor for me to take part in this high-level conference commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Fifth Pan-African Congress, here in Accra, Ghana, the land of the great visionary Kwame Nkrumah,” said Abdourahamane Oumarou, President of Pan-Africanist Emergencies Niger and a Supporter of General Tiani and the Sahelian Revolution in Niger.

His Excellency Abdourahamane expressed that this historic gathering for him rekindles the spirit of Manchester 1945. That spirit was the same one which paved the way for Africa’s liberation, dignity, and unity.

“Today, more than ever, our mission is to carry that torch forward, to strengthen the sovereignty of our nations and build an Africa that takes full command of its destiny, united in justice, solidarity, and innovation," President Abdourahamane Oumarou added.

Among the anticipated speakers is the special guest of honor, President of the Republic of Ghana, H.E John Dramani Mahama. The President, who is the African Union Champion for Reparations, is set to highlight the importance of justice, historical redress, and Africa’s leadership on the global stage when he officially opens the conference.

His Excellency’s participation is one that cannot be overstated. It is a bold statement that underscores the need for African unity and the anticipation of the total liberation of the African people through collective solidarity and action. This conference will serve as a guide for this mobilization, through the conscious effort of the President and other leaders gathered.

Other dignitaries have emphasized that the conference is not just a meeting, but a movement for actionable change, signaling a generation determined to define Africa’s destiny.

“I hope this conference will be the cornerstone for a great Africa; that the dream of our African ancestors and leaders will be realized through our unity and solidarity. Together we resist, together we win,” said Snoussi Dabbabi of Jeunesse Mouvement Tunisie en Avant Tunisiens.

Cultural celebrations will complement the official sessions, emphasising the role of shared heritage in building unity. From music and performances to the exhibition of symbolic initiatives, the conference will showcase the continent’s diversity while reinforcing its shared purpose.

“The spirit of African liberation, ignited at the Manchester Conference by the founding fathers, is a living spirit that continues to face significant challenges. We want the Accra Conference to be a new start, addressing these challenges and establishing truly progressive leadership for our continent and its people,” said Comrade Said Bakkali, Member of the Political Bureau and Head of International Relations for the Party of Progress and Socialism, Morocco.

As a key partner for the event, Pan-African Television will broadcast globally, ensuring that the discussions, decisions, and celebrations in Accra resonate far beyond Ghana’s borders.

The conference will conclude with the signing of the Accra Declaration, a document which will serve as a commitment and a pledge to fight for the continent which belongs to the African people. For it is only through this fight that a better world can be built.

In the end, participants will have not only been introduced to the new political and economic roadmaps for Africa, but will have also strengthened networks and shared strategies to collectively write a new chapter in Africa’s story—one rooted in unity, progress, and a renewed commitment to shaping the future on the continent’s own terms.