African cultural renaissance

Accra, Ghana 23 May 2010- The African cultural renaissance has been launched. The event took place in Ghana on May 23 in front of Presidents Abdoulaye Wade of Senegal, John Atta Mills of Ghana, and Kenneth Kaunda- former Zambian President; African Union Commission leaders i.e. Deputy Chairperson Mr. Erastus Mwencha and Social Affairs Commissioner Advocate Bience Gawanas; politicians, diplomats, academics, students and other guests from many walks of life.

A brainchild of the African Union Commission’s department of Social Affairs, the aim of the Campaign for African Cultural Renaissance is to promote Pan Africanism, cultural renewal and identity as forming part of the shared values in the continent.

Components of the campaign include:

Promotion of African cultural values including African languages so that their potential is explored and used to the maximum effect in order to reinforce a sense of identity among Africans. 

Promotion of the ratification of the Charter of the African Cultural Renaissance to ensure its entry into force

The Charter was adopted in 2006 and to date only Mali has ratified it.

Popularization and promotion of the effective implementation of the Charter at all levels of society through various activities that will:

Ensure the ownership of the Charter by Member States (MS), cultural stakeholders, Civil Society Organizations (CSO) and the public at large.

Ensure the preservation of Africa’s rich cultural heritage as well as positive traditional and cultural practices whilst also campaigning against harmful traditional practices.  

At the launching ceremony attended by over 600 delegates, the AUC Deputy Chairperson Mr. Erastus Mwencha recalled that it is in pursuance of the quest for African continental integration that the African Union Commission was launching the two year campaign on the African Cultural Renaissance under the theme:  “Promoting Together the African Cultural Renaissance”.

“Our African Culture, value and traditions play a paramount role in the development of our sense of common destiny, identity and togetherness (Pan-Africanist Spirit) which in turn are very essential elements as we pursue our continental integration”, the Deputy Chairperson said.

Commissioner Bience Gawanas of the AU Commission’s Department of Social Affairs called upon AU Member states, both individually and collectively to provide substantial support and protection to the cultural industries and heritage of the continent so as to ensure its contribution to the sustainable development and social integration of the continent.

She went on to say that “as culture and art are at the heart of our heritage, our democracy, our development and our humanity and social integration, I would therefore appeal to you all present here today and to all Africans elsewhere, both within the continent and in the Diaspora, to serve as cultural ambassadors for Africa and to play your respective roles in making the dream of “African Renaissance” a living reality”.

Speaking at the same occasion, President Kenneth Kaunda, a strong anti AIDS activist, re-emphasised a call he had made earlier for Africa to unite in the fight against HIV and AIDS. He gave a personal example of his own son who died of AIDS while in his thirties and encouraged better understanding and care for those living with the virus as well as stepped up efforts to combat it. President Wade of Senegal used the occasion to inform Africa that a continental cultural event will be held in Dakar later this year, and to invite all of Africa to the event.

To commemorate the launch of the African Cultural Renaissance Campaign, a plaque was unveiled at the Accra International Conference Center by the AUC Deputy Chairperson and the Ghanaian Foreign Minister.