The Black History Festival, an initiative dedicated to celebrating the strong ties between Governments of the United States of America and the African Union member states, was officially launched on December 16, 2022, at the Africa Trade House in Accra, Ghana.
Coordinator of the Black History Festival, Mr Stephen Selasie Asuo, reiterated that it has become necessary for the Bureau for International Development, Exchanges and Commerce (BIDEC) to facilitate the promotion of exchange ideas, businesses, and culture amongst other innovations to the diaspora. This is to foster sustainable partnerships for positive development in Ghana and the African continent. Mr Asuo believes this will boost investor confidence in the continent and reduce unemployment in the sub-region.
He commended the efforts of key partners and stakeholders, especially the US Government and the Government of Ghana. He further announced that plans have been advanced for a Black History Awards for 40 African Americans (whether posthumous or living) who have contributed to the socio-economic transformation and development of Ghana and other African countries.
He said: ‘’Africa has a relationship with the US. Therefore there’s no African American history without Africa.’’
The chairman of the parliamentary select committee on Trade, Industry, and Tourism, Hon. Carlos Ahenkorah, added, ‘’ the US continues to see Ghana as a beacon of hope in Africa because of our continued diplomatic relationship in the area of business. Although Ghana exports minimal products to the states.”
He noted that the Black History Festival is a good platform to showcase made-in-Ghana products to the world, urging the organizers of the BHF to lead with innovations, which will attract the diaspora.
Head of Diaspora at the office of the president, Mr Kwasi Awuah, on his part as the chairman for the Year of Return project, believes there’s a lot of potential for our brothers and sisters in the diaspora to play key roles alongside their Ghanaian counterparts for economic transformation.
The Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry, Nana Ama Dokua Asiamah Adjei, stated, ‘’We need to be proud of what we have and to patronize made in Ghana. That’s the only way we can support the private sector in creating more innovative opportunities for young people.”
CEO of EIB Network, Mr Nathaniel Adisi, popularly known as Bola Ray in Showbiz, noted that Ghana has a bank of creative ideas that can be projected to curate revenue. He called on all stakeholders in the creative industry to find a way to create an enabling environment to market what we have to the diaspora.
Chief of Banda Ahenkro, Dr Kofi Anyan, also pledged to lease lands to individuals from the diaspora hoping to invest in the area of Agriculture and other ventures.
The second edition of BHF will be held in Columbus, Ohio-USA, from February 15 – 18, 2023, promising to be an opportunity for stakeholders to have a common platform to commemorate the heritage, arts, culture, trade, leadership, and innovation of Africa in the history of the United States of America.
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