By Stanley Senya
Accra, April 7, 2025 – Academic City University has organised a national dialogue on Pan-Africanism, calling on Africans to reclaim their identity, challenge-imposed narratives, and shape their own destiny on the global stage.
With Africa at a crucial crossroads, Academic City aims to leverage such platforms to spark conversations that inspire Africans to pursue contextually relevant reforms, driving development and positioning Africa as a global force.
The event was on the theme: “Pan-Africanism: Redefining Modern African Identity in a Global Context.”
It brought together leaders, including Madam Fidelia Graand-Galon, Ambassador of Suriname to Ghana; Professor Pashington Obeng, CEO of the Pan African Heritage World Museum; Prof. Fred McBagonluri, President of Academic City University; and Mr. Kofi Akpabil, Senior Lecturer at Central University.
Madam Fidelia Graand-Galon emphasised the connection between identity and Pan-Africanism, saying “To be Pan-African is to know your identity and it is about understanding where you come from and embracing your heritage with pride.”
The Ambassador highlighting the striking cultural similarities between Ghana and Suriname revealed that some Ghanaians initially assumed Surinamese people were imitating their traditions, only to later realise that their histories were deeply intertwined.
“Our connection is not a coincidence; it is a reality shaped by history. The bloodlines, traditions, and stories we share are proof that no matter where we are in the world, Africa remains in us,” she said.
Prof. McBagonluri reinforced the urgency for Africans to reclaim their identity and warned against excessive dependence on external influences.
“Africa is not just a place, it is an identity that must be reclaimed and for far too long, we have allowed others to define who we are. We trusted too much, forgetting that the world respects only those who control their own narrative,” he said.
He urged Africans to take ownership of their history and future, noting that true liberation begins with self-awareness.
“If we do not tell our own stories, someone else will tell them for us—and history has shown that those stories are rarely in our favor,” he cautioned.
Prof. Pashington Obeng, CEO of the Pan African Heritage World Museum said, “Identity is not static; it must be constantly defined and redefined.”
He said their ancestors were proud of who they were, yet colonial rule attempted to erase that pride, and they must reclaim it, not by looking to the past with nostalgia, but by shaping a future that reflects our true essence.
He encouraged young Africans to seek knowledge from history while remaining cautious of external influences that may distort their understanding of identity.
Mr. Kofi Akpabil, expressed concern about Africa’s economic and cultural dependency, warning that failure to take control of its own global narrative left the continent vulnerable to continued exploitation.
“We speak of Pan-Africanism, yet we hesitate to invest in our own people. We admire foreign cultures while neglecting our own. The world will not respect Africa until Africans respect Africa,” he asserted.
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