The 2nd Edition of Black History Festival (BHF), a special initiative dedicated to the celebration of strong ties between the African Union (AU) member-states and the government of the United States of America (USA) has been launched in Accra.
The BHF is to foster sustainable partnership for positive development in Ghana and the African continent.
Speaking at the launch, the coordinator of the BHF, 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, among other innovations to the diaspora to foster sustainable partnership for positive development in Ghana and the African continent.
This, he believes 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, the Government of Ghana, among others.
Mr. Asuo further announced that plans are far advanced for a Black History Awards, which is targetted at 40 African-Americans who have contributed to the socio-economic transformation and development of Ghana and other African countries – whether posthumous or living.
He said: “Africa has a relationship with the US, therefore, there’s no African-American history without Africa.’’
Carlos Ahenkorah, Chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Trade, Industry and Tourism, said: “The US continues to see Ghana as a beacon of hope in Africa because of our continued diplomatic relationship in the area of business, among others, though Ghana exports minimal products to the states”.
He noted that the BHF is a good platform to showcase Made-in-Ghana to the world, and he urged the organisers to lead change in exposing a lot more innovations in Ghana other than the usual products that are being exhibited all the time.
He noted that this will attract a lot more people from the diaspora.
Head of Diaspora at the Office of the President, Mr. Kwasi Awuah, who served as the Chairman for the Year of Return Project, believes there are a lot of potentials with our brothers and sisters in the diaspora to play a key role alongside their Ghanaian counterparts for economic transformation. He added: “This project is timely to explore such potentials”.
Nana Ama Dokua Asiamah Adjei, Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry, said: “We need to be proud of what we have and to patronise Made-in-Ghana, that’s the only way we can support the private sector in creating a lot of more innovative opportunities for young people”.
CEO of EIB Network, Mr. Nathaniel Adisi, noted that Ghana has a bank of creative ideas that can be projected for revenue for the country.
Therefore, he called on all stakeholders in the creative industry to find ways to create an enabling environment to the international market.
Chief of Banda Ahenkro, Dr. Kofi Anyan, pledged to lease lands to individuals from the diaspora hoping to invest in the area of agriculture and other useful ventures.
He pointed out that this can be replicated by all traditional heads in the country.
The second edition of BHF will be held in Columbus Ohio, USA from 15th to 18th February, 2023 and it is a unique chance 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.
