Panafest 2025 records huge success as hundreds turn out for 3rd edition
The event grounds came alive with vibrant displays of rich culture and tradition as chiefs, queen mothers, and community members showcased their heritage through drumming, singing, and dancing to traditional rhythms.
The third edition of the Panafest and Emancipation Day celebration was marked with colour, culture, and powerful calls for unity and justice, as hundreds of people from across Ghana and the diaspora gathered at the historic Pikworo Slave Camp in Paga on Saturday, July 19.
Held under the theme “Let Us Speak of Reparative Justice – Pan African Artistic Activism,” the 2025 celebration was hailed as a resounding success, drawing traditional rulers, government officials, cultural enthusiasts, and members of the African diaspora to commemorate a painful past while charting a path for healing and empowerment.
The event grounds came alive with vibrant displays of rich culture and tradition as chiefs, queen mothers, and community members showcased their heritage through drumming, singing, and dancing to traditional rhythms.
Participants were adorned in colourful attire, reflecting the diverse and rich cultural identities of the region.
The Upper East Regional Minister, Donatus Akamugri Atanga, who graced the occasion, described Panafest as a vital platform for uniting people of African descent across the globe.
“Panafest is not just a celebration, it’s a reminder of our shared history, a platform to promote peace, and an opportunity to build bridges among people of African descent worldwide,” Atanga said.
Atanga reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting cultural tourism as a tool for regional development and urged stakeholders to use the momentum of the festival to advocate for policies that address local socioeconomic challenges.
In a stirring address, the Paramount Chief of the Manyoro Traditional Area, Pe Pwakweah Atudiwe Atupare Nanchi III, emphasized the need for Africans to take ownership of the narrative around slavery and emancipation.
He criticized the silence and marginalization of African perspectives in global discourse and urged both traditional and democratically elected leaders to prioritise the collective aspirations of the people over personal interests.
The President of the Upper East Regional House of Chiefs and Paramount Chief of Chiana, Pe Ditundini Adiali Ayagitam III, called on Africans around the world to use Emancipation Day as a moment for healing, unity, and reconnection.
“This is a time to reflect, to come together, and to recommit ourselves to building an inclusive and empowered African future for all Africans and people of African descent,” he said.
The Panafest and Emancipation Day celebration was organised by the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) in collaboration with the Upper East Regional Coordinating Council, the Regional House of Chiefs, and the Paga Youth Movement.
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