Opinion / Columnist
Africa Day: 25 May 2015
25 May 2015 at 10:28hrs | Views
Africa Day presents an opportunity for us to celebrate our African identity and to reconnect to develop a better Africa and a better world. South Africa celebrates Africa Day with a month-long celebration and the "We are Africa" theme is a declaration and celebratory statement of pride, which fosters inclusivity from all role-players and stakeholders.
Background
Africa Day is a celebration of the day when the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), the precursor to the African Union (AU), was formed in 1963.
It acknowledges the progress that we, as Africans, have made, while reflecting upon the common challenges we face in a global environment.
History
After World War II, the process of decolonisation of the African continent gathered momentum as Africans increasingly agitated for more political rights and independence. Ghana became the first African country south of the Sahara to gain independence on 6 March 1957.
Just over a year after its independence Ghana convened the first Conference of Independent African States on 15 April 1958. To further encourage and forge a common goal of fighting against colonial rule, the conference called for the observance of African Freedom Day once a year, to mark "the onward progress of the liberation movement, and to symbolise the determination of the People of Africa to free themselves from foreign domination and exploitation."
Consequently, 15 April was called African Freedom Day and this marked the beginning of what would later be known as Africa Day, now celebrated on 25 May.
Background
Africa Day is a celebration of the day when the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), the precursor to the African Union (AU), was formed in 1963.
It acknowledges the progress that we, as Africans, have made, while reflecting upon the common challenges we face in a global environment.
After World War II, the process of decolonisation of the African continent gathered momentum as Africans increasingly agitated for more political rights and independence. Ghana became the first African country south of the Sahara to gain independence on 6 March 1957.
Just over a year after its independence Ghana convened the first Conference of Independent African States on 15 April 1958. To further encourage and forge a common goal of fighting against colonial rule, the conference called for the observance of African Freedom Day once a year, to mark "the onward progress of the liberation movement, and to symbolise the determination of the People of Africa to free themselves from foreign domination and exploitation."
Consequently, 15 April was called African Freedom Day and this marked the beginning of what would later be known as Africa Day, now celebrated on 25 May.
Source - GIBS
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