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Only genuine remorse can atone for
Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade – President Kufuor
Elmina, March 26, GNA - Genuine remorse should be the way
forward to atone for the pain and heinous crimes of the
Trans Atlantic Slave Trade, President John Agyekum Kufuor
has advocated.
It is estimated that about 10 million Africans were forcibly
uprooted and shipped out of the Continent under the most
barbaric and inhuman conditions across the Atlantic Ocean to
the Americans and Caribbean during the trade.
Speaking at a ceremony to both commemorate 200 years of its
abolition and Ghana's 50 years of nationhood held at the
Elmina Castle in the Central Region, President Kufuor said
since some Africans played a facilitating role during the
trade the question of payment of reparation was not the best
approach.
He said the victims must be accorded respect and human
dignity and that common humanity and shared values of fellow
feeling should form the bases of acceptance in the present
day's world.
The solemn and emotionally touching commemorative event
dubbed "Africa 2007 Reflections" was jointly put together by
the British Council, the Ghana @ 50 Secretariat and the
Edina Traditional Council and attracted a number of Africans
from Diaspora.
President Kufuor said the Continent through its New
Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) was seeking to
reconnect with those in the Diaspora and to correct the
historic mistake epitomised by the slave trade.
Baroness Valeria Amos, Leader of the British House of Lords;
Sir David Green, Director General of the British Council and
the Minster of Tourism and Diasporan Relations, Mr Jake
Obese-Lamptey were among those who attended.
Celebrated artiste and poets from Ghana, Brazil and the
United Kingdom were on hand to play back memories of those
days of history.
British Prime Minister, Tony Blaire in a video link address
pledged his country's determination to continue to lead the
drive to overcome modern day challenges facing Africa.
He said: "As we commemorate 200 years of the Slavery
Abolition Act, let us rededicate ourselves to show courage
and energy to fight injustices in our modern world."
Mr Blaire, who noted that there was now a historic turning
point between Africa and the UK, lauded Ghana for the
significant progressive role she was playing.
"Ghana is a beacon of hope to Africa as it was 50 years
ago", he said.
Baroness Amos described the slave trade as the "darkest and
uncomfortable chapter of British History and called for
stronger commitment to build a better world that would make
our ancestors proud".
Sir David said although nothing could be done to undo the
history of the slave trade, it was important to encourage
this generation to explore and to better understand it.
Nana Kodwo Condua VI, Paramount Chief of Edina Traditional
Area, said it was time to forgive and to put behind the
bitter past.
GNA
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