A GNA Feature by Hafsa Obeng
Accra, July 23, GNA–The night air at Elmina Castle was thick with drums, prayer, and tears.
Under flickering torches, hundreds of descendants of enslaved Africans, draped in kente and white cloth, walked barefoot through the infamous “Door of No Return” and back out again.
It was the symbolic “Reverential Night” — the emotional high point of last year’s Emancipation Day celebration.
As elders poured libation and youth from Ghana, the United States, Brazil and the Caribbean linked hands in song, the castle walls that once held captives echoed with a new sound: freedom.
For many in the crowd, it was the first time they had set foot on African soil.
That powerful moment captures why, for more than three decades, Ghana has assumed centre stage every July in commemorating the Pan-African Historical Theatre Festival (PANAFEST) and Emancipation Day.
The two events have become synonymous with the country’s efforts to reconnect Africa with its global diaspora while preserving the memory of the transatlantic slave trade.
For more than three decades, the celebrations have provided descendants of enslaved Africans an opportunity to return to the continent, retrace the painful journey of their ancestors and reconnect with their cultural heritage through visits to historic slave castles, traditional ceremonies, academic discussions and cultural performances.
The commemorations have also strengthened Ghana’s international image as the “Gateway to Africa,” particularly following the successful ‘Year of Return’ and ‘Beyond the Return’ initiatives, which positioned the country as a preferred destination for heritage tourism.
However, as Ghana seeks to grow tourism into a major pillar of economic transformation, some industry players say the time has come to rethink, not replace, PANAFEST and Emancipation Day to ensure they remain relevant to contemporary realities while creating greater economic, cultural and social impact.
MOVING BEYOND REMEMBRANCE
Since its inception in 1992, PANAFEST has been a powerful platform for healing, reconciliation and reconnecting Africans on the continent with their brothers and sisters in the diaspora.
The emotional pilgrimage to slave castles in Cape Coast and Elmina, the symbolic Reverential Night, wreath-laying ceremonies and traditional processions remain deeply moving experiences.
However, many argue that the celebrations have become largely ceremonial, with limited innovation from year to year.
Tourism experts believe Ghana has the opportunity to transform PANAFEST into a month-long global cultural and economic festival capable of attracting significantly larger numbers of international visitors.
Mr. Emmanuel Frimpong, Tourism Consultant, Founding President of the Africa Tourism Research Network (ARTN) and Chief Executive Officer of Pishon Consult Limited, believes the celebrations must evolve to reflect the aspirations of the 21st century.
“It is time for Ghana to ‘rethink, not replace, PANAFEST and Emancipation Day’. The festivals remain historically significant, but they need to evolve to reflect the aspirations of the 21st century and maximise their economic, cultural and diplomatic impact,” Mr. Frimpong said.
Mr. Frimpong noted that PANAFEST was established to reconnect Africa with its diaspora, promote healing after the transatlantic slave trade and celebrate African identity, while Emancipation Day commemorates the abolition of slavery and honours the resilience of enslaved Africans.
Although these objectives remain relevant, he said today’s realities demand broader conversations.
According to him, the focus should gradually shift from remembering slavery alone to addressing what freedom means for Africans today.
He said the celebrations should encourage discussions on economic emancipation, youth empowerment, innovation and how Africans on the continent and in the diaspora can work together to build prosperity.
“Remembrance is essential, but we should also ask what African freedom means today, how Africa can achieve economic emancipation and how young Africans and the diaspora can build prosperity together,” he said.
Beyond the historical narrative, Mr. Frimpong believes PANAFEST could become a stronger economic catalyst.
He said despite attracting international visitors over the years, the festival has not consistently generated the level of economic impact associated with major cultural events in countries such as Rwanda and South Africa.
“To unlock that potential, we must incorporate investment forums, tourism and hospitality expos, African creative economy marketplaces, start-up competitions, diaspora business networking sessions and exhibitions highlighting African fashion, film, music, technology and cultural industries,” the Tourism Consultant said.
He said such additions would transform visitors from spectators into investors, entrepreneurs and long-term development partners.
He added that greater efforts must be made to attract younger generations, many of whom know little about PANAFEST or perceive it as an event for older people.
“Future editions can feature digital storytelling, artificial intelligence exhibitions on African heritage, virtual reality experiences, gaming, youth leadership summits, Pan-African innovation challenges and collaborations with social media creators. The youth must become active participants rather than passive audiences,” he said.
Mr. Frimpong further called for stronger diaspora engagement beyond symbolic visits to heritage sites.
He called for the introduction of genealogy and ancestry research services, citizenship and residency information centres, volunteer programmes, university exchange initiatives, diaspora investment opportunities and heritage entrepreneurship programmes.
According to him, these initiatives would deepen long-term relationships between Ghana and people of African descent across the world.
He also urged organisers to position PANAFEST as Africa’s premier annual platform for heritage tourism, Pan-African unity, reparative justice, sustainable tourism, creative industries, innovation and diaspora partnerships.
Beyond historical slavery, he said, the celebrations should also engage contemporary issues affecting Africans, including economic inequality, youth unemployment, migration, climate justice, women’s empowerment, digital inclusion, human trafficking and cultural preservation.
“These represent new dimensions of emancipation and deserve equal attention,” he noted.
Mr. Frimpong further proposed restructuring the celebrations under what he described as a Pan-African Heritage and Future Festival, built around four interconnected pillars:
Remember: preserving the history of slavery and honouring ancestors; Reconnect: strengthening ties between Africa and its global diaspora; Rebuild: promoting investment, entrepreneurship, education and innovation; and Rise: positioning Africa as a global leader in culture, creativity and sustainable development.
This approach, he said, would significantly enhance Ghana’s international brand while reinforcing its role as Africa’s centre for cultural diplomacy, tourism, research and investment.
MAKING THE CELEBRATIONS MEANINGFUL TO EVERY GHANAIAN
While Mr. Frimpong’s proposals focus on repositioning PANAFEST and Emancipation Day as global platforms for tourism, investment and cultural diplomacy, Mr. Caleb Kofie, Executive Director of the Service Excellence Foundation-Ghana, believes the conversation must also address local participation.
He agrees that Ghana should rethink the celebrations, but not in the sense of abandoning these important national and continental events. “Rather, Ghana must rethink how they are designed, communicated and experienced by ordinary citizens,” he said.
Mr. Kofie said PANAFEST and Emancipation Day were among Ghana’s most powerful cultural and historical platforms because they remind the world of the transatlantic slave trade, celebrate African resilience, reconnect the African diaspora with the continent and reinforce Ghana’s identity as the Gateway to Africa.
“These objectives are still relevant today. However, many ordinary Ghanaians feel disconnected from the celebrations,” he said.
He said for many citizens, PANAFEST and Emancipation Day have become events they watch on television, hear on radio or encounter on social media rather than experiences they actively participate in.
He attributed this to the perception that the celebrations were largely designed for members of the African diaspora, academics, traditional authorities and tourism stakeholders.
While acknowledging the importance of these groups, he said traders, students, teachers, commercial drivers, farmers, hospitality workers and young entrepreneurs often struggle to identify how the festivals directly relate to their lives.
Mr. Kofie noted that young people readily embrace events such as the Chale Wote Street Art Festival, Detty December, football competitions and music festivals because they combine entertainment with participation and economic opportunities.
“PANAFEST, on the other hand, is sometimes viewed as ceremonial and historical rather than engaging and contemporary,” he said.
He noted that Ghana must broaden the celebrations to include more community activities, youth-centred programmes and opportunities for local businesses, schools and cultural groups to participate actively.
Such an approach, he said, would transform PANAFEST and Emancipation Day from occasions observed by a few into national experiences embraced by many.
“Ghana should therefore reposition PANAFEST and Emancipation Day from being largely commemorative events to becoming inclusive national development and cultural engagement platforms,” he said.
THE WAY FORWARD
Ghana must preserve the historical essence of PANAFEST and Emancipation Day while modernising their purpose and delivery.
As the country continues to leverage tourism as a driver of economic growth, the festivals present an opportunity not only to honour the memory of enslaved Africans but also to stimulate investment, inspire innovation, strengthen community participation and deepen engagement with the global African family.
Reimagining the celebrations through broader public participation, stronger diaspora partnerships, youth engagement, digital innovation and economic opportunities could transform PANAFEST and Emancipation Day into Africa’s leading heritage and cultural festivals, ensuring they continue to inspire remembrance while shaping a more prosperous and connected future.
GNA
23 July 2026
Reporter: Hafsa Obeng
Email: [email protected]
Edited by Samuel Osei-Frempong