By James Amoh Junior
Accra, Aug. 26, GNA- The late Harry Belafonte, an American singer, actor, and civil rights activist, has been unveiled and immortalised on the Sankofa Wall at the Diaspora African Forum (DAF).
The recognition comes after the recent visit by his daughter, Miss Gina Belafonte, to Ghana.
The Sankofa Wall, located at the Diaspora African Forum, behind the W.E.B. DuBois Centre in Accra, features many notable people from the African diaspora and continental Africans who made a significant impact in the world.
According to the National Museum of African American Culture, Mr. Belafonte made a host of trailblazing achievements in the arts and society.
He was the first black American to receive an Emmy Award, and he used his voice and finances to fund social injustice, dedicating himself to the betterment of his people and humanity.
The iconic American actor’s awards and honours included the Grammy Award for Best Calypso Album (1956), the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical (1954), and the Emmy Award for Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program (1960).
His legacy also included induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (2000) and receiving a lifetime achievement award from the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (2001).
The Sankofa Wall honours black struggle luminaries such as Congressman John Lewis, Harriet Tubman, George Floyd, Rosa Parks, Bob Marley, and many others.
Miss Gina Belafonte in an address underscored Belafonte’s contribution to music, the arts, and civil rights activism, adding that he used his talent and platform to raise the voices of the most disadvantaged and downtrodden people.
Miss Belafonte emphasised that, from Belafonte’s crucial involvement in the Civil Rights Movement alongside Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to his efforts in worldwide humanitarian causes, he represented the spirit of “Sankofa”.
She stressed that the late Belafonte reached back to his roots, drew strength from his heritage, and used it all to light the path forward for other civil rights activists.
Miss Belafonte said the concept of Sankofa taught diasporas to go back and retrieve what was at risk of being left behind.
“It reminds us that our future is inextricably linked to our past. By honouring our ancestors, we ensure that their wisdom, resilience, and courage continue to guide us. Harry Belafonte, my father, was a man who understood the power of remembering and honouring those who came before us,” she said.
GNA