Long-awaited Pan-African World Heritage Museum opens in Ghana

General news for Tuesday, September 22, 2020

Source: face2faceafrica.com

2020-09-22

The President of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo, has inaugurated one of the most important cultural and historical projects of our time: the World Museum of Pan-African Heritage.

A brainchild of Kojo Yankah, founder of the African University College of Communications in Ghana, the museum, to be completed in 2022, was launched in virtual space on Monday in the presence of world leaders and notable personalities.

It will be a pilgrimage center for Afro-descendants to unlearn and relearn the history, culture and civilization of Africa from the creation of humanity until today.

Speaking at the launch, President Akufo-Addo, who was named the museum’s first sponsor, reiterated his administration’s unconditional support for pan-African heritage and innovation, one of the key pillars of his Beyond The Return initiative.

“The Pan-African World Heritage Museum project is without a doubt an innovative pan-African project and that is why my government has decided to support it,” he said. “The time has come for all of us to take our heritage seriously. No one has to tell us that we have a rich history made up of remarkable achievements in the arts, sciences, and technology.

“We have a lot to learn from our ancient kingdoms and indigenous knowledge, we have stood the test of time, and we are driving our development in various ways,” the president said.

Highlighting the ties between Africans and Africans in the diaspora and the benefits of such commitments, the president encouraged everyone to support the Museum’s initiative.

The Museum project, which will be managed by an international NGO, supported by a council of eminent scholars, will be financed through donations and grants. The Museum space will include a Sculpture Garden of African leaders in sports, entertainment, politics, science and culture, as well as a Herb Plant Farm, a Palace of the African Kingdoms and accommodation.

‘Our own story must be told’

Pan-Africanist Yankah, who is behind the project, expressed concern that although there are works published by many scholars uncovering the hidden history and ideology of Africa, the very Africans who are supposed to consume these works cannot even find them for “various reasons. “

“Today we draw on our ancestors to dedicate the World Museum of Pan African Heritage to the youth of the world,” said the former politician, writer and communications consultant.

“Our own story must be told, curated, preserved and used as educational material to lift our spirits; increase their level of self-confidence; inspire them to aspire to social equality and justice and make of them what we wish for all humanity as equal citizens of the world and to live in peace ”.

Monday’s virtual launch was organized by pan-African media company Face2Face Africa, a partner in the project. Other speakers included eminent African traditional leaders, some of the Academic Council’s top scholars, and coordinators from around the world, including a project ambassador, Ghanaian artist Sarkodie, who was proud to be a part of the project.

The Museum’s vision, including plans to raise $ 30 million to complete the project, was also unveiled at the launch, with calls to everyone to support the project.