An ultra-modern Centre of Excellence is to be built in honour of Marcus Mosiah Garvey, a Pan-Africanist on the Winneba/ Cape Coast corridor in the Central Region.
It would provide world class facilities for African Scientific Research and Development, Pan African Research, African Arts, Culture, Entertainment, Sports, and Guest housing.
To this end, the Marcus Mosiah Garvey (MMG) Foundation Ghana, has launched the MMG Foundation Annual Homecoming Dinner Dance which is to take place on August 17 at the Accra International Conference Centre.
The 20-million-dollar project envisioned to be a globally relevant light house on the continent of Africa for the preservation of Garvey’s principles, philosophies and advancement of Afrocentricity and African achievements.
Proceeds from the Annual Homecoming Dinner Dance would be used in financing the edifice.
Mr Akwasi Agyeman, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), said it is important for the country to commit itself with the ideals of Marcus Garvey Junior in relation to education and the development of the African race.
Mr Agyeman said Ghana is currently celebrating African Resilience adding that anyone who made an impact in the African race would be celebrated including Marcus Garvey and Dr Kwame Nkrumah.
“Through the celebration of these past heroes, the young ones would be embedded with their ideals,” he said.
Mr Agyemang said currently the continent has many issues including poverty, inequalities, gender and discrimination to tackle and we all need to stand up against it.
“By placing the spot light on Marcus Garvey Junior, the youth would be able to ascertain and know the struggle they went through,” he said.
The CEO of GTA appealed to all to embrace the slogan: “Eat, wear and feel Ghana” to promote the development of Ghana.
Professor Kwaku Senah, formerly of the University of West Indies, said it is important for all to embark on a reconnection with diaspora sisters and brothers who found themselves on slave ships over 300 years ago.
He described the Trans African Slave Trade as a “special” one because it introduces a form of servitude in line with the black race.
Prof Senah said it is important that as a people, “we develop Pan-Africanism instead of concentrating on ethnicity” and dialogue with one another to propel the growth of the black race.
Professor Kodjo Sampong, Catholic University of the Dominican Republic, called for the observance of a “Collective Remembrance of the Painful Past.”
Mr Neville Buchawan, Secretary of MMG Foundation, said the philosophy of the Memorial Centre, would be to strive for excellence through challenging and stimulating the creative minds of African people.
“We must awaken the African genius who would be master of Mathematics, Architecture and Astronomy,” he said.
Mr Buchawan said the MMG Foundation is “determined to use the capabilities and resources of the Memorial Centre to identify and protect African ancestral foot prints anywhere it is found in the world.”
Marcus Mosiah Garvey Junior, a Jamaican political leader, publisher, journalist, orator was the first President General of the Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League.
Born on August 17, 1887 at Saint Ann’s Bay, Jamaica, he died on June 10, 1940 at West Kensington, London.
He is known for Africanism, black nationalism and Pan-Africanism.
