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African leaders must battle
the inferior complex syndrome grip on the continent - Chief
Assin-Manso (C/R), Aug.2, Ghanadot/GNA-
Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II, Omanhen of Oguaa Traditional Area,
on Friday charged African leaders, to ensure that their
people overcome “the inferiority complex syndrome” that has
come about as a result of the slave trade and other forms of
slavery on the continent.
He said this can be done by ensuring that all African
children are from the basic levels of education, educated to
believe in themselves, and to have confidence in African
values, in order to dispel the notion that anything African
was inferior.
Osabarimba Atta, made the call at a grand durbar to mark
this year’s celebration of the “Emancipation Day” at Assin
Manso, the acclaimed site of the “Ndokonsu” (Slave River)
where slaves transported from the northern parts of the
country were bathed before shipment to the Americas and the
Caribbean from the Cape Coast castle.
The remains of two former slaves, Samuel Carson and Crystal,
brought from the United States and the Caribbean have also
been re-interred there.
Emancipation Day, was originally celebrated in the Caribbean
to commemorate the final abolition of chattel slavery in the
British Colonies on August 1, 1834 and was introduced in the
country ten years ago due to the significant role its played
during that era and at the moment, the only African country
that celebrate the day in solidarity with people in the
Caribbean and elsewhere.
The Omanhen said emancipation should not be a yearly but an
everyday affair to rid the continent of all forms of
slavery.
He pointed out that, those who want Africans to believe that
they are inferior, “are rather inferior to us” and stressed
that emancipation must not be a yearly, but everyday affair.
For his part, the Deputy Minister of Tourism and Diasporan
Relations, Mr Kofi Osei Ameyaw on Friday noted that the
celebration of Emancipation Day and the
Pan-African-Historical-Theatre-Festival (PANAFEST) are
celebrated to foster unity among Africans and people of
African descent and “not to open old wounds”.
He said to forestall the re-occurrence of such “human
tragedy in any guise”, it was necessary to spread awareness
and more detailed knowledge of the various aspects of the
slave trade to enable peoples directly involved, as well as
the public, to share the memories together so as to say,
“never again” to chattel slavery and slavery of any form.
Mr. Osei- Ameyaw said the story of the slave trade can now
no longer be suppressed, because there are always references
to the systematic plunder of the African race during when
the physical, psychological, intellectual and culture of
Africans were taken away resulting in racial prejudices that
continue to affect people of African descent everywhere.
The Deputy Minister said the even though some people may
wish to bury and forget the evils of slavery, the ghosts of
these events still haunt both descendants of the slave
masters and those enslaved and said there was the need to
engage in a process that will placate the bitterness among
all Africans to help re-unite that race.
He said, it was therefore, imperative for all to be vigilant
and identify “modern slavery” that included racial and
economic exploitation and help eliminate it for a sound
society.
Nana Afrifa Kyerempeh, Adontenhene of Assin Apimanim
Traditional Area, in his welcoming address urged those from
the Diaspora to pool their resources with those at home to
help build a better future for the continent.
Barima Kwame Nkyi XII, Omanhene of the Assin Apimanim
Traditional area also called for unity among all Africans to
help eliminate modern slavery.
Wreaths were laid on the tombs of Carson and Crystal at the
slave cemetery at Assin Manso.
A vigil was held at the Cape Coast Castle on Friday night as
part of activities to usher in Emancipation Day.
GNA
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