Vice President Opoku-Agyemang Launches PANAFEST 2025 with Call for Youth-Centered Development

Amid rich cultural displays and a deep sense of heritage, Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang officially launched the 2025 edition of the Pan African Historical Theatre Festival (PANAFEST) in Cape Coast, with a strong appeal for African governments to prioritize the development of their youth.

Speaking at the colourful opening ceremony held at Jubilee Park, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang stressed that African nations must not only refer to the youth as the future but must intentionally invest in them through targeted, empowering policies.

“When we say the youth is our future, we need to mean it—and it must reflect in everything we do,” she emphasized.

This year marks the 16th edition of PANAFEST, under the theme:
“Let Us Speak of Reparative Justice – Pan African Artistic Activism.”

A Ceremony of Culture and Symbolism

The opening was marked by a majestic procession led by the Oguaamanhen and chiefs from the Oguaa Traditional Area, joined by other paramount chiefs and Asafo companies, marching through Cape Coast’s main streets to the ceremonial grounds.

The venue, draped in Ghana’s national colours of red, gold, and green, was brought to life by the vibrant attire of traditional leaders, dignitaries, and celebrants—creating a striking visual of unity and heritage.

A dramatic re-enactment of the slave trade, ending in freedom, rekindled the spirit of Pan-Africanism and reminded attendees—especially those from the Diaspora—of the resilience and enduring strength of African identity.

Nana Amba Eyiaba I, Queen Mother of Effutu and Krontihemaa of Oguaa, led a sacred ritual to welcome returnees back to the land of their ancestors. Marked with white clay, the gesture symbolized victory, peace, and joy.

Empowering Youth, Honoring the Past

Prof. Opoku-Agyemang, addressing the theme of reparative justice, noted that true reparation extends beyond financial compensation. It must address the moral, political, and economic healing of African people globally.

“We ought to live like others live… to see ourselves in the future and not be afraid,” she stated.

She urged greater youth participation in PANAFEST activities as a tool to inform and empower future generations, calling for the teaching of history from an African perspective.

“History must teach us—but it will only do so if we do the hard work of telling our own story,” she said, adding that Africans must stop retelling their history through the lens of others.

Repatriation as Restoration

Osabarimba Kwesi Atta, the Oguaamanhen, emphasized that PANAFEST is more than a cultural festival—it’s a spiritual homecoming and a platform for healing and reconnection.

“Repatriation is not just about the physical return of our people in the Diaspora. It includes economic, spiritual, cultural, and intellectual reconnection,” he said.

He reaffirmed the commitment of the Oguaa Traditional Council to partner with government and the Diaspora to create sustainable investment spaces and long-term economic partnerships to stimulate development.

“Your place in our future is not optional—it is essential. Let us move from nostalgia to nation building, from return to restoration.”

Culture as a Tool for Justice and Healing

Madam Abla Dzifa Gomashie, Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, added that reparative justice requires a reckoning with history and a rewriting of the narrative to restore dignity to Africans everywhere.

“We can do this through art, storytelling, music, fashion, and film. These cultural expressions are tools for remembrance, resistance, and reclamation,” she said.

Madam Esi Sutherland-Addy, Chairperson of the PANAFEST Board of Trustees, applauded Vice President Opoku-Agyemang for her long-standing support of the festival, dating back to her academic contributions in the 1990s.

Looking Ahead

This year’s PANAFEST features a wide range of activities including:

• Musical and dance concerts

• Fashion shows and interfaith dialogues

• Art workshops, colloquiums, and Pan-African food fairs

• Spiritual events and Women’s Day celebrations

The festival continues to be a global beacon for cultural reclamation, unity, and the reimagining of Africa’s shared future.