Report
8th Pan-African
Congress
March 4-7, 2015
Accra International Conference Centre
Accra Ghana
REPORT 8th PAN AFRICAN CONGRESS
The Pan African World We Want:
Building a Peoples' Movement for a Just, Accountable
And Inclusive Structural Transformation.
Published June 2015
Published by Local Organising Committee (LOC)
Accra, Ghana
Copyright © Local Organising Committee, Accra, Ghana. All rights reserved. However any part of
this report may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form including electronic or
mechanical means, or by any information storage and retrieval system without written by
Pan Africanists or their organisations without permission from the authors/publishers.
Summary
EVENT NAME:
8TH PAN AFRICAN CONGRESS
THEME:
The Pan African World We Want
DATE:
4 - 7 March 2015
CONFERENCE ORGANISERS:
Local Organising Committee (LOC), Ghana
AUSPICE INSTITUTION:
Government of Ghana
CONTRIBUTING COUNTRIES:
Government of the Republic of Ghana
Government of the People Republic of Algeria
Government of the Republic of Equatorial
Guinea
African Union Commission
Government of the Republic of Iran
VENUE:
Accra International Conference Centre, Accra,
Ghana
NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS
REGISTERED:
263
DISTRIBUTION BY COUNTRY:
Algeria
Barbados
Benin
Botswana
Burkina Faso
Cabo Verde
Cameroun
Republic of
Congo
Cote D'Ivoire
Cuba
Ethiopia
France
3
1
1
6
1
2
1
5
5
1
4
1
Gambia
Ghana
Guyana
Jamaica
Kenya
Liberia
Malawi
Mali
Morocco
Nigeria
Norway
Rwanda
Saharawi
1
128
2
1
20
1
3
1
2
14
1
5
3
Senegal
South Africa
Tanzania
Togo
U.K
U.S.A
Uganda
Ukraine
Zimbabwe
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1
4
3
1
8
14
11
1
7
Contents
Summary
Abbreviations
Foreword
3
6
7
CHAPTER 1
9
CHAPTER 2
The Local Organising Committee
Background to setting up of LOC
LOC Participation in IPC meetings.
Launch of the 8th PAC in Ghana
Rescheduling of the Date of Congress
Administrative Arrangements
Staffing of LOC Secretariat
13
13
13
14
15
16
17
17
CHAPTER 3:
The Congress
Opening Session
Solidarity statements:
Keynote Address from the President of the Republic of Ghana
The First Plenary:
The Foundational Roots of Pan Africanism
18
18
18
19
20
21
21
CHAPTER 4
Reports from the Commissions
COMMISSION ONE
Pan African Alternatives to Neo-liberalism and
For Sustainable Development
COMMISSION TWO
Strengthening Youth and Student Movements within
the Global Pan African Movement
24
24
24
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24
28
28
COMMISSION THREE
Strengthening Global Solidarity and Voice of
the Pan African Women’s Movement
COMMISSION FIVE
Historical and Contemporary Injustices Against People of African Origin
COMMISSION SIX
The Role of Culture and Creative Arts in Promoting Pan Africanism
CHAPTER 5
The Closing Plenary/the Roadmap
APPENDIX 1
Speech By His Excellency, John Dramani Mahama, President of the
Republic of Ghana to The 8th Pan African Congress
Held in Accra, Ghana.
APPENDIX 2
Preamble to the Resolutions of the 8th
Pan African Congress of 5th To 7th March, 2015
Resolutions of the 8th Pan African Congress, 5 – 7 March, Accra, Ghana
Commission No. 1
Commission No. 2 - Women
Commission No. 3
Commission No. 4
Commission No. 5
Commission No. 6
Resolution 7
Resolution A.
Resolution B.
Resolution C.
Resolution D.
Participants of The 8th Pan African Congress
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31
31
35
35
38
38
42
42
44
44
49
49
52
53
55
57
59
60
62
63
66
66
67
67
69
Abbreviations
AAPRP
AASU
AICC
AU
AUDAF
BPfA
MDGs
GoG
IPC
LOC
MOFARI
MUSIGA
NUGS
PAWA
OAU
PAC
PAM
PAWO
PAWLO
SFG
TUC
All Africa People’s Revolutionary Party
All Africa Students Union
Accra International Conference Centre
Africa Union
African Union Diaspora African Forum
Beijing Platform for Action
Millennium Development Goals
Government of Ghana
International Preparatory Committee
Local Organising Committee
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration
Musicians Union of Ghana
National Union of Ghana Students
Pan African Writers Association
Organisation of African Unity
Pan African Congress
Pan African Movement
Pan African Women’s Organisation
Pan African Women Liberation Organisation
Socialist Forum of Ghana
Trades Union Congress (Ghana)
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Kwesi Pratt Jnr. Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, delivering the LOC Report.
Foreword
On behalf of the Global Pan African Movement, the Local Organizing Committee and
the Pan African community, I would like to add to the special motion of thanks to the
initiators of this meeting, namely His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, President of
the Republic of Ghana; all members of the Local Organising Committee (LOC. Special
thanks also go to the President of Ghana’s Representative to the LOC, Lt. Col. (Rtd)
Gbevlo Lartey for his support.
The 8th Pan African Congress was a phenomenal success, reflecting the current mood
of optimism among African women, youth, students, farmers and indeed Africans the
world over. The depth of discussions, the passions exhibited, and the enthusiasm of all
participants to the 8th Congress shows beyond doubt that the next generation of
Africans are willing to take over the movement and realise its core aims of revitalising
and mobilizing the youth of African to support the Pan African ideal of unity in the
anti-imperialist struggle. The 8th Congress was a bold attempt to end the inertia
which had gripped the Movement since the 7th Pan African Congress in Uganda some
21 years ago. By organizing the 8th Pan African Congress in Accra, we have closed this
historical gap between the 7th and the 8th Pan African Congress.
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This Congress Report contains the salient issues discussed, presentations by the
President of Ghana and other solidarity statements and serves as recollections of the
discussions, and some of the issues raised, and the Resolutions which serve as guide to
Africa’s future.
I take this opportunity to thanks all those who contributed to the success of the 8th
Pan African Congress. The President of the Republic of Ghana, HE John Dramani
Mahama, his Vice-President and the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional
Integration deserve special thanks. The same goes to all friendly countries and Heads
of State who demonstrated their solidarity to the Pan African Movement in diverse
ways. The delegates, staff of the LOC and volunteers also deserve some special
mention for their hard work and dedication.
Kwesi Pratt, Jnr
Chair of the Local Organising Committee
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Delegates applaud a brilliant presentation
Chapter 1
Introduction
The 8th Pan African Congress was convened Accra from 4-7th March, 2015 following a
21 year lapse since the 7th Congress in Kampala, Uganda. The 8th Congress was billed
as a turning point in the affairs of the Pan African Movement. A number non-state
actors, mass movements, organisations, governments, Pan African institutions
organisations and individuals met with the objective of re-igniting, rejuvenating and
instilling a sense of purpose in the Pan-African Movement.
The Process: The road to the 8th Pan African Congress involved a number of processes
and consultations; methods which aimed at ensuring broader participation of the
mass movements in Africa, including youth movements, trade unions, women’s
movements, governments, and regional organisations. The process focused on the
lessons learned over the last 51 years of the existence of the Organisation of African
Unity/Africa Union (OAU/AU) and mapping out the trajectory of Africa’s future
development. The process also focused on a people-to-people engagement within
the continent as part of the process of building a people based Pan African movement.
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The process was kick-started by a meeting convened by the Movement’s Secretariat in
Kampala to discuss the road map which could lead to a Congress. The lack of progress
in implementing the Resolutions of the 1994 Pan African Congress had been a major
source of concern. This was followed by a second meeting in Kampala in 2013 to
discuss the Movement’s Constitution and attempt to put together a Plan of Action.
These two planning meetings were followed by a Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue held in
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 22- 23 May 2013, on the eve of the African Union summit.
The meeting resolved to “re-ignite the Pan-African spirit” and rebuild the Pan
Movement as a vehicle for positive change through the organisation of the 8th PanAfrican Congress. This process was further enhanced when the AU Summit of May
2013 adopted a historic Declaration that emphasised the responsibility of African
Heads of State and Governments to act together with African people and the African
Diaspora to realise the vision of an integrated Africa. The declaration committed Africa
Union member states, amongst others, to:
a) accelerate the process of integration of the African continent,
b) accelerate African Renaissance by ensuring the integration of the principles
of Pan-Africanism in all AU policies and initiatives;
c) strengthen AU programmes and Member States institutions aimed at reviving our
cultural identity, heritage, history and shared values;
d) promote people to people engagements including youth, women and civil society
exchanges in order to strengthen Pan-Africanism;
e) complete the decolonisation process in Africa;
f ) protect the right to self-determination of African peoples still under colonial rule;
g) solidarity with people of African descent in the Diaspora in their struggles against
racial discrimination; and resist all forms of influences contrary to the interests of
the continent.
As a modest contribution to the fulfillment of the above commitments, the
Government of Ghana under the leadership of His Excellency, President John Dramani
Mahama, agreed to host the 8th Pan African Congress in Ghana; liaising closely with
the African Union and the Pan African Movement (PAM) secretariat to smoothen
transition arrangements towards the 8th PAC.
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Goals:
Progress regarding the implementation of the resolutions of the 7th PAC, galvanise
Pan African efforts towards Africa’s integration and renewal including its total sociocultural and politico-economic independence, self-reliance and liberation.
The specific objectives of the Congress were:
To foster informed dialogue among African leaders, leading African intellectuals,
policy experts, practitioners, artists, elders, historians, literary minds, youth and
civil society activists on the last 50 years of the OAU/AU, Pan Africanism and African
Renaissance and project a new vision for the next 50 years.
To reflect on the critical question of African citizenship (including migration and
free movement of people) and the state-society relationships underpinning
Africa’s progress, or lack thereof, for economic and social transformation, for
expanding rights and opportunities for all, for democratic governance, for
ensuring peaceful and equitable societies and for protecting our environment;
To reflect on current threats and opportunities within the global political economy
for the rapid growth and rejuvenation of Pan Africanism and the agenda for African
integration (Africa and the rest of the world) and economic and social
transformation, peace and security;
To propose strategies on how to advance a “New” Pan African agenda that
effectively responds to Africa’s and African peoples’ needs within the context of the
OAU/AU Golden Jubilee celebrations and the evolving African Union Agenda
2063.
To mobilise the worldwide African community against neo-colonialism,
imperialism and all forms of external domination;
Expected Outcomes
The expected outcome of the 8th PAC was a renewed momentum and mobilisation
towards integration, greater unity, solidarity within Africa and the Diaspora consistent
with the vision of building "an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its
own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the global arena”. The expected
Outputs of the 8th Congress included:
a) A strategy for the promotion of the spirit of Pan-Africanism among young people,
including the revitalization of the teaching of Africa’s history in our schools and
colleges, including the proper profiling and documentation of its progressive
leadership and heroes.
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Delegates arrive at Conference Centre
b) A draft programme of work for the Pan African Movement (PAM) for the
subsequent 12 months.
c) A strategy for engaging with the AU Agenda 2063 process.
As part of the process of bringing these decisions to fruition, a Local Organising
Committee (LOC) was set up by leading Pan Africanists as the focal point for
organizing the 8th Congress; to which the Government of Ghana provided crucial
logistical and other support. As part of this process, various attempts were made to
reconstitute the International Preparatory Committee (IPC) to support the local
efforts of Ghana. These efforts were however stymied by the Kampala Secretariat’s
lack of capacity to support such a process. These efforts were also complicated by the
fact that many members of the IPC and the Governing Council had passed away and
had not been replaced.
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Chapter 2
The Local Organising Committee
Background to setting up of LOC
The Local Organising Committee was set up in and around September 2013,
following a series of meetings, beginning with the initial one which took place on the
side-lines of a pre-African Union 50th Anniversary Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue Forum
under the theme “Framing a 21st Century Narrative On Pan-Africanism and African
Renaissance” in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from 22-23 May 2013.
At the end of the discussions, it was proposed that the 8th Pan African Congress
should be held in Ghana, subject to the agreement of the Government of Ghana to
host a potentially large number of people from all over the world.
Before the closure of the Addis Ababa meeting, initial approaches were made to the
Government of Ghana by the Ghanaian delegation. The Government of Ghana agreed
in principle for the event to take in Ghana. The Addis Ababa meeting welcomed the
acceptance of the Government of Ghana to host and decided to seek funding from
other sources.
As part of the process of constituting a Local Organising Committee in Ghana, mass
organisations and state institutions were invited to send representatives. These
included the following.
a. All-African Students Union (AASU)
b. National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS)
c. All African People’s Revolutionary Party (AAPRP)
d. Trades Union Congress (TUC)
e. Pan African Writers Association (PAWA)
f. The Christian Council
g. Socialist Forum of Ghana
h. Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA).
i. Representative of the Ministry of Interior
j. Representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Regional Integration (MOFARI)
k. Representative of the Governing Council
l. Ghanaian participants in the 7th PAC
Soon after, contacts commenced with the Pan African Movement Secretariat in
Kampala to move the process forward.
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On the side-lines of another AU/UNECA sponsored event in Accra at the end of
October 2013, discussions took place among the organisers for the development of
strategies towards the Congress. Roles were assigned and a roadmap towards the 8th
PAC was agreed.
The roadmap included:
i. The preparation of the conceptual documents for the 8th PAC which would
provide background information and which would also be used for mobilisation
of both financial and in-kind support.
ii. The drafting of a Note Verbal for the consideration of the AUC Chair, and the AU
Commissioner of Political Affairs (to be co- signed by the Governments of Ghana
and Uganda.
iii. Clarifying the hosting, coordinating and funding arrangements.
At a Multi-stakeholder Dialogue Forum on “The Future of Democracy and Peace in
Africa: Towards the AU Agenda 2063” in Johannesburg, South Africa from 18-19
November 2013 the LOC (Ghana) was invited to attend to provide a progress report
and to discuss the way forward.
The LOC (Ghana) set up a number of sub-Committees with clear Terms of Reference to
help Ghana organise the 8th PAC. These sub-committees included:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
Fundraising Committee
Logistics Committee
Communications Committee
Political Committee
Protocol Committee
Security Committee
Events Management Committee
These Committees were intended to provide the local services that would be required
for the hosting of the Congress. Other decisions, such as organisation of consultative
meetings among the regional groups, preparation of background papers, fund raising
and invitations to delegates, etc., were the responsibility of the International
Preparatory Committee (IPC) and the Governing Council (GC).
LOC Participation in IPC meetings.
The LOC was invited to a meeting of the IPC in Kampala, Uganda from 27-28 June 2014.
Among other things, the IPC meeting discussed Commissions and Themes relating to
the 8th PAC, possible resource persons and an outline of the Congress Programme.
The IPC meeting confirmed Accra as the venue for the 8th PAC and issued a Political
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Call for the Pan African world to meet in Accra in October 2014. The meeting also
agreed on the theme: “The Pan African World We Want; Building a Peoples'
Movement for a Just, Accountable, and Inclusive Structural Transformation.”
The IPC resolved to hold a follow up IPC meeting on 22 August 2014 in Accra, Ghana;
and to support the work of the LOC by providing resources for the implementation of
processes leading to the 8th PAC. None of the promises by the Kampala Secretariat
were ever fulfilled.
Launch of the 8th PAC in Ghana
In order to promote awareness of the 8th PAC in Ghana, and to highlight the 8th PAC as
both a national, global and continental event, the LOC decided to launch the 8th PAC
in Accra on 10 September 2014. The pre-Congress press launch took place at the Accra
International Conference Centre, Accra, Ghana.
The objective of the launch was to stimulate awareness of the event in Ghana in order
to inject energy in the days/months before the Congress. The event was attended by
representatives of several community and mass organizations, as well as members of
the diplomatic corps from African countries as well as countries that identify with Pan
African objectives.
The launching of the 8th PAC in Accra was chaired by the Chairman of the Pan African
Movement, General Kahinda Otafiire.
The keynote speech was delivered by Ambassador Kwesi Quartey, Deputy Minister of
Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration on behalf of the President of Ghana. He asked
Africans to remember that rather than considering the trans-Atlantic Slave Trade as
some endeavour that was carried out by some individual adventurist or roguish
Europeans, it was a deliberately institutionalized enterprise, encouraged and
legalized by European Governments, including the Monarchies of England, Spain,
Portugal, etc. He advised that any attempt to move forward on this violation and
desecration of the African should be seen in this perspective, saying the issue of
reparations for the desecration of the African is not something that the rest of the
world should be allowed to sweep under the carpet while they support other
communities in their quest for reparations. The Chair of the PAM, Major General
Otafiire urged African governments to take practical steps to bring their people out of
poverty and to struggle in the spirit of Pan-Africanism to unite to build one
continental government.
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Delegates going through registration
Following the launch, the Chair of the PAM held a meeting with the LOC. The meeting
discussed salient issues relating to the 8th PAC. The Chairman of PAM reiterated the
mandate for the Government of Ghana and the LOC to organise the 8th Congress in
Accra. He further mandated the LOC to take over the responsibility of organising the
8th Congress since the Governing Council and the IPC had been unable to live up to
expectation.
Rescheduling of the Date of Congress
In the wake of the Ebola epidemic, which affected three West African countries – Sierra
Leone, Liberia and Guinea, the LOC, at its meeting on Friday, September 16, 2014
decided to propose a postponement of the event from October 27-28 2014 to a date
around the anniversary of Ghana’s independence on March 6, 2015. The proposal
became necessary, largely as a result of the outbreak of the Ebola disease in West
Africa and the implications for holding such a major event which is supposed to draw
participants from all over the world, including the affected countries. It was
considered that a postponement would enable a full evaluation of the implications of
the Ebola outbreak on such a grand event. The proposal was accepted by the
Government of Ghana and the PAM Secretariat.
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Administrative Arrangements
The Government of Ghana was kind to offer a two-storey building and basic office
furniture for use as the Secretariat of the LOC. In addition, there were donations of
office equipment and three vehicles from some government departments to support
the infrastructural needs of the Secretariat under its role. Furthermore, some
individuals also donated monies for meeting minor running expenses.
Staffing of LOC Secretariat
The staffing compliment of the LOC Secretariat consisted of four persons. They were
supplemented by three officers, seconded from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and
Regional Integration.
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Ikaweba Bunting (USA) in consultation with Justice Henaku Akuffo (Ghana)
Chapter 3
The Congress
Opening Session
The Opening Ceremony for the 8th Pan African Congress was performed at the main
hall of the Accra International Conference Centre. It was officially opened by the
President of the Republic of Ghana, His Excellency, John Dramani Mahama. The
Honourable Minster for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Hannah Serwaa
Tetteh chaired the event.
The Chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the 8th Pan African
Congress, Kwesi Pratt acted as Moderator and introduced the Chairperson for the
occasion, the Honourable Member of Parliament and Minister of Foreign Affairs and
Regional Integration of the Republic of Ghana, Hon. Hannah Serwaa Tetteh. The Hon.
Minister for Foreign Affairs welcomed the participants and introduced the Presidents
of the Republic of Ghana and Benin.
In her opening remarks, the Hon Minister for Foreign Affairs observed that Ghana was
the first sub-Saharan country to gain its independence, and played a critical role in
African and international Affairs in its first nine years, an act which was more than
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might have been expected from a country of 7 million people. She further stated that
on attaining independence, Ghana’s leaders pledged to work towards the liberation
of the rest of the continent, thereby making immense contributions to panAfricanism, resulting in Ghana becoming the Mecca of African nationalism. Thus, PanAfricanism, a historical movement championing the cause of black people, was
brought to African soil for the first time.
The chairperson intimated that the focus of the 8th PAC was therefore to galvanize
ideas and all the means necessary to enable Africa overcome its current socioeconomic challenges. She stressed that the theme for the Congress: “The Pan-African
World We Want: Building A People’s Movement for a Just, Accountable And Inclusive
Structural Transformation”, gave a pointer to the search for the confluence of PanAfricanism as a movement and/or philosophy and Pan-Africanism as the expression of
that philosophy in geographical and developmental terms.
Tribute to fallen heroes: The 8th Congress paid tribute to Africa’s fallen heroes
through a roll call and a minute of silence for fallen heroes of the Pan African
movement and Africa in general. The Congress remembered all those who have
contributed to the liberation of Africa.
The Chairman of the Pan African Movement delivered a welcome address on behalf of
the Movement. He welcomed all participants and congratulated the Government of
Ghana for hosting the 8th Pan African Congress, and paid tribute to the LOC for
planning the event. He recounted the problems the Pan African Movement had faced
in the past 21 years which had made it impossible to hold a Congress, including the
lack of resources, inadequate capacity of the Kampala office, and the fact that many
members of the Governing Council had passed away since the 1994 Congress. He also
said that he hoped that the “unfinished business of the 7th Pan African Congress will
be addressed at the 8th Pan African Congress”.
Solidarity statements: Guests and Representatives of African and friendly countries
represented at the 8th Congress delivered solidarity messages on behalf of their
leaders. These messages came from the under listed Countries.
1.
Republic of Benin
2.
Islamic Republic of Iran
3.
Republic of Zimbabwe
4.
Republic of Equatorial Guinea
5.
Republic of Algeria
6.
Republic of Togo
7.
Republic of Cuba
8.
Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
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Delegates interacting with each other
Keynote Address from the President of the Republic of Ghana
In his Opening address, President Mahama recalled the remarkable achievements of
the African liberation struggle, while being cognizant of the fact that Africa’s political
freedom had not yet translated into the economic independence and the selfsufficiency it aspired to. He noted the paradox of the continued continental
challenges of widespread poverty, disease, dependency on external countries,
foreign debt and technological under-development, against the backdrop of Africa
being the richest continent in terms of its mineral wealth and other resources.
His Excellency President Mahama noted that the world had significantly changed
since 1600 delegates from twenty (20) countries gathered in Kampala for the 7th PAC
which provided the context within which the Resolutions of the 7th Pan-African
Congress were adopted. The President urged the 8th PAC to recognise the need for
African leadership to immediately implement processes and structures that
incorporate the 6th region of the African Union, i.e. the Diaspora, in implementing the
African Union’s Agenda 2020 and Agenda 2063. (See Appendix 1 for full speech).
Other speakers at the Congress included His Excellency HE Yayi Boni, President of the
Republic of Benin, Vice President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Chairperson of the
Pan-African Movement, Prime Minister of Equatorial Guinea; Representative of the
President of Algeria; Representative of the President of Zimbabwe and the
Representative of the President of Togo.
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Dr. Gamal Nasser of University of Ghana on Pan African Alternatives to Neo Liberalism
The First Plenary:
The Foundational Roots of Pan Africanism
Speakers:
• General Kahinda Otafiire, Chair, Pan African Movement secretariat
• Dr. Gamal Nasser, University of Ghana
Presentations
o The Chairman of the PAM, General Otafiire gave a background to the reasons
why the PAM has been unable to hold a Congress for over 21 years. He stated
that in the course of the last 21 years, several members of the Governing
Council had passed on, including the Secretary-General, Tajudeen Abdul
Raheem.
o
Dr. Gamel Nasser, a lecturer in Modern Languages at the University of Ghana,
Legon, Ghana, and a Member of the Local Organising Committee (Ghana)
spoke on the ‘Foundational Roots and Contemporary Dynamics of Pan
Africanism and the African Renaissance”.
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Dr. Nasser began with a reference to the 5th Pan African Congress in 1945 in
Manchester, UK when there was a direct call in the Final Declaration on African
intellectuals to develop policies on the future of Africa that will meet the aspirations of
the African people. Unfortunately this legitimate aspiration of the people is yet to be
realised, and the Continent is still faced with a myriad of problems, including
unemployment. It is a tragedy, he stated, that after many years of independence,
African youth are trudging across the Sahara in the hope of reaching Europe for better
opportunities, in dangerous conditions where several of them meet their death.
Although Africa is abundantly rich in mineral resources, what is missing, but which
would have transformed the quality of lives of the African people is indigenous
technology.
In the general discussions that followed, participants felt that it was about time
Africans looked within for solutions to the problems confronting the continent.
Other issues raised included finding independent and reliable ways of funding the
Pan African Movement, the non-existence of African-centred education in Africa.
Some participants were eager to discuss the continued colonisation of Western
Sahara, the continued incarceration of Laurent Gbagbo (former President of Cote
d’Ivoire) in The Hague. Some also expressed deep concern that the Pan African
Movement had become dormant for 21 years.
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George Padmore (One of the foremost Pan Africanists)
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Chapter 4
Report from the Commissions
COMMISSION ONE
PAN AFRICAN ALTERNATIVES TO NEO-LIBERALISM AND FOR SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT
The Commission was chaired by Kyeretwie Opoku. The Lead Facilitator was Justice
Henaku Akuffo. The lead discussants were
·
Mark Ortez Chatarpal (York University, Guyana)
·
Stella Adhiambo Agara (Kenya)
·
Jeffrey Edison* (Diasporan African Forum)
·
Kone Katinan Justin (Cote d'Ivoire)
Rapporteurs:
·
J. K Tettegah
·
Patrick Mphatso Chinguwo
1. Introduction
The Commission took account of the absence of some of the invited lead discussants.
Framework
In view of the above, participants agreed that there was a need to develop a
framework that would lead to the adoption of a formal concrete position at
subsequent Congresses.
Participants indicated that such an alternative framework should be:
rooted in the vision that has guided the Pan-African struggle as expressed
especially in the anti-colonial and anti-neo-colonial positions of the 5th, 6th
and 7th PACs and cognisant of the specific contemporary challenges posed by
neo-liberalism as a specific strategy of imperialism requiring a specific strategic
response; for example in the interrogation of the concept of "sustainable
development";
systemic and transformative in its incorporation of cultural, social and political
and not just economic "alternatives' and struggles;
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cognisant of our natural and human resource base and the inherent potential
for higher, socially constructive and more sustainable production and
reproduction of wealth;
grounded in the specific felt needs, aspirations and abilities of the main victims
of neo-liberalism - women, youth, the disabled and the poor;
holistic in engaging the full progressive African community - continental and
Diasporian - arguing for a restatement of our solidarity.
concrete and actionable by PAC such that within the 'natural" sphere of PAC
operations we should develop a position on the AU Agenda 2063 which
appears to be evolving within a strictly neo-liberal framework;
concrete in terms of offering immediate steps towards identified long-term
goals.
2. Presentations
a. Cde Chartapal shared reflections on his work in the area of nutrition, the revival of
traditional foods as alternatives to the products of the multi-national food and
nutrition industry. Trans-national food companies are fundamentally changing
production and consumption patterns in countries like Ghana with support from
a powerful media industry as well as policy makers. In doing so they open these
societies to further penetration by imperialist interests. He discussed how taking
control over and re-organising food preparation and the related production and
distribution systems could be a powerful liberating force with implications for
rebuilding solidarity for broader straggle. He suggested that the Zapatista
movement in Mexico provide a socio-political model, which could support these
initiatives.
b. Cde Stella Agara offered a working definition of neo-liberalism in terms of the
systematic transfer of public resources from public to private hands with
massively differential impacts on different social interests. Whereas capitalists
and their allies have reaped huge benefits from this process, women, young
people, people with disabilities and poor adult men have generally suffered a
massive reduction in living standards. She argued that to the extent that we were
serious about an alternative, ThePAC would have to root itself not in the
engagements between government officials that have largely presided over and
benefited from neo-liberal development and engage with and mobilise the
victims of neo-liberalism in a struggle to change society permanently.
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c.
She stressed the need to support social enterprises as alternatives to
transnational capitalist enterprises that currently dominate our economies. She
noted that any transformation would involve a power struggle. She pointed out
that a grassroots approach would require engagement with governments and
the political class who are not meeting obligations to the ordinary people whose
resources they manage. We would have to hold our leaders accountable and
ensure that our voices are heard in the development discourse. The same goes for
the AU and Regional Economic Blocs (RECs) all of which have similar obligations to
the African people. She warned that a backlash is inevitable and that in framing
our alternatives and our strategy, we would have to think clearly in terms of a
long-term struggle.
d. Cde. Edison shared the perspective of an African Diasporan descended from
people forcibly taken from the mother continent and enslaved in the West. He
stressed the need to achieve a deeper unity of action amongst all Africa's people
and resist the tendencies to see Diasporan struggles as something separate from
the continental African struggle. He spoke about the capabilities that Diasporans
who return to the continent bring to the sustainable development agenda and
how useful this could be for concrete alternatives to neo-liberalism, for example,
in developing technologies or in enabling new markets for African products. He
also spoke about the inevitable imperialist backlash already evident in western
militarization of African struggles and the presence of Africom and French troops
on the continent in response to crises manufactured in the West.
e.
Cde Katina used the cocoa and the oil and gas industries of La Cote d'lvoire and
Ghana to illustrate the sustainable development possibilities inherent in interAfrican trade and finance. He also discussed the impact that a common African
currency could bring to the development of real alternatives to neo-liberalism. He
argued that to realise this potential African governments must re-orient
fundamentally away from intellectual and policy dependence on Western
powers. He argued that any such re-orientation would be confronted with fierce
and even military opposition by Western powers such as had been the recent
experience of both Libya and la Cote d'Ivoire. He called on the 8th PAC to take up
and defend the struggles of countries and leaderships that faced such reprisals.
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3. General Discussions
Participants engaged in a far ranging discussion of the construction of a
framework of alternatives. Key consensus points are captured below:
a.
Neo-liberalism represents a specific phase of the capitalist conquest and
domination of global society. It is materially different from slavery or colonialism.
It represents a higher penetration by capitalist enterprise of wider spheres of
social and economic life. It is characterised amongst other things by the
development through processes of privatisation of public assets to indigenous
capitalists whose interests are identical to those of the global financial elite. While
a fight against white colonial masters, the racist establishment in the Diaspora
and on the continent was good tactics in the 40s, 50s and 60s it is not a viable
approach today. Many of the leaders in Africa and in the Diaspora who directly
manage and benefit from the exploitation and repression of continental and
Diasporan Africa are themselves "black" just as many of the people who are
victims of exploitation and repression today are "white". This argues for an antiimperialism that is less identity-based and is more fundamentally class based
taking its agenda from the felt needs of the social forces most marginalised by
imperialism. This has to be the basis of construction of alternatives to which the
PAC can subscribe.
b. Many different alternatives are possible and are indeed posited daily in the
production and struggle of ordinary African communities. We must make an
effort to collect information about these alternatives and support their
systemisation. This is a struggle that all can participate in both the continent and
the Diaspora.
c.
Alternatives will not come into their own just because they represent a more
rational approach to production and distribution. Alternatives are possible only if
political power shifts increasingly to the representatives of the social forces
marginalised by capitalism and neo-liberalism. The militarisation of the continent
and its social problems as well as the parallel militarisation of struggles in the
Diaspora demonstrate the lengths to which Imperialism will go to protect the
status quo. To be relevant, the PAC must become the effective weapon of struggle
that can mobilise these forces and give their struggles direction. PAC must
become far more effective and relevant to the struggles of Africans today than
dwell on past glories.
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Ndey Jorbatey (Norway) making a point on youth empowerment
COMMISSION TWO
STENGTHENING YOUTH AND STUDENT MOVEMENTS WITHIN THE GLOBAL PAN
AFRICAN MOVEMENT
Introduction
This Commission was chaired by Fred Awaah, Secretary-General of the All Africa
Students Union (AASU). This was an energetic Commission, the discussions of which
ranged from youth empowerment; concerns about the inertia in the Global Pan
African Movement (which has failed to organize a Congress for over twenty years) and
the need to revive and strengthen the Pan African Movement. The Youth Commission
also considered the following:
• the pro-imperialist educational system;
• wars in Africa;
• unemployment and the
• loss of self-confidence in the future
Framework
Participants felt the need to take Pan Africanism to the grassroots and take practical
measures to implement ideas that will address the problems faced by young African
people and proclaimed that it is about time that the youth engaged the leaders on the
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way forward in Africa. It was also considered that there is a need for intensive civic
education among the youth of Africa in order to enlighten them on the real concrete
obstacles and the opportunities that could be available in the quest for development.
Some participants said that Pan-Africanism should be a way of life, whereby African
people could “feel Pan-African”. It was felt that there is a need for a structured
representative Pan African Youth Movement through which the Youth could work in a
youth-centred way. It was proposed there should be a structured foundation so that
people do not go back from the Congresses only to find themselves once again as
individuals in their individual countries.
Presentations and Discussions
Speakers representing various Youth and Students Movements were unhappy about
the inability or failure of the Global Pan African leadership to encourage and actualize
the formation of a youth structure. It was therefore proposed that the youth
themselves must take up the mantle and set up a Pan African Youth structure.
The Commission proposed that the Pan African Movement should be a vehicle for the
struggles of African people against neo-liberalism and underdevelopment in the
same way as those who met in 1945 utilised the results of that meeting to carry out the
struggle for national liberation. However, the Youth Commission felt that currently,
the agenda for anti-imperialist struggle and for national liberation is being
undermined by the Global leadership of the Pan African Movement.
Participants discussed the need for decolonizing the mindset of Africans and the
youth in order to see the struggle in a proper context. African people cannot hope to
control their resources as long as they keep running to the International Monetary
Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, to seek balance of payment reliefs.
Most participants expressed the view that the Agenda 2063 cannot be fulfilled
without fighting the tyranny of some of the leaders in Africa. The youth of Africa have
to hold their leaders accountable for the deplorable state in which the African world
finds itself today. Finally the Commission took the view that the Pan African
Movement cannot achieve its goals and objectives without actively engaging and
strengthening the capacities of the youth of Africa.
Resolutions:
The participants therefore resolved and called for the following:
i.
The establishment of an Interim Organizing Committee of members from the 12
regions as well as different special interest groups.
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ii.
The active promotion of grass root development of the PAM through youth
focused organizations, clubs, educational institutions, and which should be led
by the youth. .
iii. The holding of a Youth Congress before the end of 2015.
iv. Collaboration with the Secretariat to fast track the formation of the Pan Africa
Youth Movement as resolved in the 7th PAC.
v.
The organization of a youth exchange program for the youth within the Pan
African Movement.
vi. The propagation of the Pan African Agenda by harnessing the gains made by ICTs
within the continent and Diaspora with an aim of mobilizing Africans everywhere
for the realisation of the objectives of the Movement.
vii. The establishment of a Pan African Youth Solidarity Platform across the globe for
the Independence of Western Sahara.
The Youth Commission further called upon the PAM Secretariat (Kampala) to:
i.
Put in place a Monitoring and Evaluation Mechanism that ensures the
implementation of the resolutions of the PAC by strengthening the local, regional
and secretariat capacities to implement resolutions.
ii.
raise Pan African consciousness;
iii. Ensure that the PAC Constitution is revised, adopted and respected;
iv. Enhance linkages between Pan African investors and Pan African entrepreneurs
to promote a thriving PAM
v.
Deliberately co-opt youth into all structures of the Pan African Movement
including but not limited to the Governing Council and the International
Preparatory Committee
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The Youth were active participants
COMMISSION THREE
STRENGTHENING GLOBAL SOLIDARITY AND VOICE OF THE PAN AFRICAN
WOMEN’S MOVEMENT
Moderator:
Panelists:
Rapporteur:
Nebila Abdulmelik (Ethiopia)
Daisy Amdany (Kenya)
Lalla Nhabouha (Western Sahara):
Irene Kagoya (Uganda)
Background:
The Women’s Commission noted that although women were part of the African
liberation struggles, when political independence was won, the women were
expected to return to their domestic roles. The Southern African situation, in which
women played a critical role in the fight against apartheid but were subsequently
relegated was given as an example.
It was recognized that a resolution was passed at the 1994 Congress for the
establishment of a gender desk at the secretariat on gender equality. This was
followed by a resolution for a women’s pre-congress that would allow women to
discuss and strategize on issues of gender equality for the congress. However, these
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Julia Lynne Walker (USA)
were not set up. Pan Africanism created a model for equality of property and of
resources. Therefore the engagement of women should not be seen as token but
rather as affirmation of the principle of gender equality.
It was noted that PAWO was started in 1962 by women activists of the likes of Grace
Machel, long before the AU was established. PAWLO (Pan African Women Liberation
Organization) was set up within the structures of the Pan African Movement in 1994.
However, problems arose when PAWLO begun to claim autonomy, and developed an
independent programmes based on the following thematic areas:
a) Access to public Health
b) Education of the Girl Child
c) Access to cheap and environmentally friendly sources of energy
d) Peace building
The efforts of early Pan-Africanists successfully liberated Africa from colonization and
apartheid but women contributions have generally not been acknowledged by the
movement with the exception of a select few. Indeed, there was a growing need to
rally African women under the banner of Pan Africanism and to make women fully
conscious of their conditions.
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The Pan African Women Liberation Organization (PAWLO) was created as a force ready
to articulate issues of critical concern to women and to fully participate in the global
Pan-African activities. Subsequent to the founding of PAWLO, meetings had been
held in Uganda, England, Germany and Zimbabwe to discuss the building of local
chapters. However, the establishment and maintenance of regional chapters of
PAWLO remains a challenge for the global Pan African Movement. Twenty-one years
later, it remains fundamental to situate the wider African women’s movement within
global Pan-African Movement. The African women’s movement can be understood as
a sub-set of the wider Pan African philosophy of promoting equal rights, not from the
vantage point of colonial rule and racism, but rather from patriarchy and other forms
of structural inequality.
Presentations
Lalla Nhabouha (Western Sahara):
Lalla outlined how in the 19th century the quest for change focused on economic,
social, and artistic events, pushing for change around women’s access to voting rights,
equality of women in families, and at work places. The role of women in conflict and
post-conflict situation settings became critical, although women were often ignored.
In 2000, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 1325 on peace and security and
the engagement of women in the pursuit of equal opportunity with men.
Unfortunately women still play a marginal role in the peace building process. Western
Sahara has witnessed various violations of human rights, including the abduction of
15 people since 1995. The Moroccan regime does not respect the right to organize,
demonstrate and express one’s opinion; activists who express their opinions put their
lives at risk. There is the plunder of the natural resources of the people of Western
Sahara, as well as the prevalence of violence to suppress the cultural rights of the
people of Western Sahara. The plight of the women in Western Sahara must be
recognized and there is a need to demand their freedom.
Daisy Chirop Amdany (Kenya): “The Role of Women in the Struggle for a New
Africa.” Daisy Amdany said Vision 2063 should be seen as being people-driven which
would rely on the strength of women, and youth groups , gender equality ,
recognition of the role of women, elimination of violence against women, equal
opportunities for men and women, 50% of the decision making organs should be
women; and concluded that the 8th PAC was taking place at an opportune time
especially when the Beijing Platform of Action is being reviewed.
Missing in the OBJECTIVES OF THE 8TH Pan African Congress is the role of women in
the attainment of the stated objectives as well as the specific commitments that are to
be made in ensuring equal rights, freedoms and opportunities to the women of Africa
as a specific intent with clear obligations and deliverables. This despite other
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commitments that have been made over the years and until recently at the African
Union Aspiration 6 of the Vision 2063 which states: “An Africa where Development is
people-driven, relying particularly on the potential of Women and Youth.
Daisy further discussed the tools available to African women, as part of their
contribution in the struggle for a New Africa taking into consideration the numerous
international, continental and national conventions as existing tools and
commitments that have been previously made but looking more specifically under
the Beijing Platform for Action-BPfA that encompasses the wide ambit of
empowerment in the 12 critical areas of concern and the Millennium Development
Goals-MDG’s. Towards this end, Daisy called on African women to participate in
designing a women-friendly framework that will be interwoven into the Pan Africanist
struggle for a new Africa. This action must be a deliberate one as none of the gains for
women in Africa have come without the women’s relentless activism and meaningful
participation.
The 8th Pan African Congress must take up this challenge if they are to remain true to
the aspirations of African women. Political action must involve women at every stage
from inception to implementation. Africa cannot rise when leaving over half of its
population behind. African women must make Africa and its leadership realize that
true progress cannot happen without them and that the continent stands to benefit a
great deal through women’s empowerment and advancement. If anyone doubts this
let us all look to Rwanda for example and inspiration. The seriousness with which the
African Heads of State have taken up the challenge of uniting Africa with all its
diversity must also be expressed in their willingness to involve women at all levels and
stages of engagement.
The Women’s Commission noted that progress in realizing the Millennium
Development Goals (MDGS) have been minimal in the last 15 years. Although
commendable progress has been made in achieving parity between boys and girls in
the primary, secondary and tertiary schools, disparities remain between regions and
educational levels. Globally, the number of women in Parliaments continues to rise
slowly and had reached 20 percent in 2012. Rwanda leads the world with the highest
number of women in Parliament with 64 percent of seats held by women. The share of
women employed outside agriculture has also risen by 40 percent but only 20% in
Northern Africa. In light of Africa’s slow progress in meeting the MDGs, the Post-2015
Development Agenda on Africa includes gender equality and women’s
empowerment as major priority areas. The attainment of gender equality and
women’s empowerment is central to achieving the other MDG goals, therefore, it is
critical to continue to lobby for a goal that will address gender equality, women’s
rights and women’s empowerment in the post 2015 development agenda.
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Dr. Erieka Bennet Ambassador of the Diaspora Africa Forum Mission making a presentation at the Diasporan Commission
COMMISSION FIVE
HISTORICAL AND CONTEMPORARY INJUSTICES AGAINST PEOPLE OF AFRICAN
ORIGIN
Chair:
Facilitator:
Discussants:
Raporteur:
Dr. Erieka Bennett,
Ambassador of the Diaspora Africa Forum Mission
Isaac Winful Dadzie.
Rabbi Kohain Halevi (Ghana)
Duane Edwards (Guyana
Jerri Morris.
Rabbi Kohain Halevi gave a brief historical background with regard to Colonialism,
Slavery and Neocolonialism; while Duane Edwards (Guyana) led a discussion on the
state of the Reparation struggle in the Caribbean.
The Commission was in two sessions, dealing with the respective topics, namely;
a. Addressing Racism and Violence against Black People
b. Reparations for historical and Contemporary Injustices
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After an interactive discourse on the various areas of concern by participants, the
following points were noted for the consideration of the final resolution of the
Congress;
1.
That African people worldwide should condemn the violence and racial
discrimination perpetrated against black people wherever they find themselves.
In that regard, the Congress should intensify its solidarity with the 'Black Lives
Matter' campaign in North America and show equal importance to the proposal
that 'African Lives Matter'. This should be adopted as a global campaign accepted
as a way of consolidating our common identity. Moreover, it is time that African
leaders use global, political platforms to condemn brutalities committed against
African-Americans and to speak of the holocaust committed against the African
people.
2.
That the Congress raises the contradiction in the way African leaders respond to
injustices meted against African citizens. For instance, the recent solidarity march
joined by some African leaders to condemn the violence against French citizens in
France while no African leader adopted a similar stance in the wake of the
atrocities committed against over 2000 people in Nigeria. This should be
highlighted by the Congress in its final resolution.
3.
That Africans must approach their issues from the bottom-up; as a way of
knowing themselves rather than being committed to top- down approach. For
example, African leaders have succumbed to the United States of America
through the US - Africa summit, sponsored by the Obama Administration.
4.
That the struggle of African people against Racism should also be looked at from a
biological warfare perspective. For instance, recent epidemic of Ebola in the West
African region should be treated by the Congress' resolution as a critical issue of
Western Imperialist aggression to reduce black population and control the
resources of Africa.
5.
In order to end racism, it is important that its origins, particularly from the point of
economic oppression and its manifestation in the psyche of Africans, should be
addressed by all Africans irrespective of social status.
6.
From a moral standpoint, members of this Commission called on the Congress to
reflect in its resolution the appeal to African leaders to show respect and love to
themselves/as a reflection of the people that they govern. The Congress should
therefore appeal to all Africans to value themselves.
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7.
That, the Congress appeals to African governments to train their diplomats in
their foreign missions to make connections with the African people living in
foreign countries towards Pan African objectives.
8.
The commission recommended that the CARICOM initiative on Reparations
should be more inclusive of all the Reparation initiatives in the Diaspora and in
Africa as a united effort. This is inclusive of N'COBRA in North America, the UK
initiative and all others and not only for black Caribbean enslaved people.
9.
The Commission recommended the inclusion of our fallen or ascended ancestors
who were not mentioned during the plenary session, such as; Bob Marley,
Ambassador Dudley Thompson, Harriot Tubman, Sojourner Truth, Queen Nzinga,
Kwame Ture', Congressman Donald Payne, Sylvester Williams, Rev. Leon Sullivan,
Rosa Parks, Dorothy Height, Ben Ami Israel, and Malcolm X.
10. The commission drews the attention of the Congress to the absence of Traditional
Leaders as custodians of the land and the symbolic embodiment of tradition and
culture, as well as the religious leaders who have so much influence over the
minds and souls of our people/ and the need to co-opt them into the Pan African
movement/initiative.
Finally, the commission recommended the need to recognize the African Union’s
Diaspora African Forum (AUDAF) as the conduit for Africans of the Diaspora to partner
the PAM initiatives and facilitate the involvement or inclusion of Africans from the
Diaspora who have repatriated back home to Mother Africa at all levels of Pan African
initiatives.
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COMMISSION SIX
THE ROLE OF CULTURE AND CREATIVE ARTS IN PROMOTING PAN AFRICANISM
This Commission was chaired by Professor Atukwei Okai, Secretary-General of the Pan
African Writers Association (PAWA).
There were presentations from:
• Dr. Wangui wa Goro (African Literary Translator and
Subtitlers Association [ALTRAS] - Kenya)
• David Mungoshi (Pan African Writers Association – Zimbabwe)
• Odia Ifeimun (Hornbill House of the Arts and PAWA– Nigeria)
The Rapporteurs were;
• Njuki Githethwa (Kenya Community Media Network); and
• Zukiswa Wanner (Pan African Movement – Kenya)
Discussions
3. Discussions related to the importance of culture as a way of life for African people.
References were made to how imperialism, in its efforts to dominate its victims,
would, apart from direct violence, make every effort to paralyze the culture of the
dominated people. References were made to the ideas of African luminaries,
such as Amilcar Cabral and Frantz Fanon who clarified the issue of how
imperialism uses culture as a weapon of domination. An important quotation
from Amilcar Cabral was used to bring this point home.
4.
Amilcar Cabral of Guinea Bissau, it was noted, expanded the understanding of
imperialism by stressing its cultural component. “History teaches us that, in
certain circumstances, it is very easy for the foreigner to impose his domination
on a people. But it also teaches us that, whatever may be the material aspects of
this domination, it can be maintained only by the permanent, organized
repression of the cultural life of the people concerned. Implantation of foreign
domination can be assured definitively only by physical liquidation of a
significant part of the dominated population. In fact, to take up arms to dominate
a people is, above all, to take up arms to destroy, or at least to neutralize its cultural
life. For, with a strong indigenous cultural life, foreign domination cannot be sure
of its perpetuation. At any moment, depending on internal and external factors
determining the evolution of the society in question, cultural resistance
(indestructible) may take on new forms (political, economic, and armed) in order
to fully contest foreign domination”.
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5.
Culture, it was recognized, is a way of life. As Gamal Gorkeh Nkrumah has noted,
Pan-African Culture is the product of the shared experiences and history of ALL
the African peoples, at home and abroad. It’s a shared history of suffering,
exploitation and oppression and of resistance to the heinous impositions
including but not limited to Freedom hymns in the Civil Rights movement and
liberation songs in Azania. It is the result of a common origin, as people who
emerged from the same continent and ancestors. A shared legacy of interacting
with each other, sometimes positively, and sometimes negatively.
6.
The Commission recognized that Africans cannot live without their cultures,
because it is a way of life. Whether one travels to Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, or
Kenya, it is culture that has kept Africans well and alive. It is rooted in our food, the
clothes we wear; they keep us happy and sane. Above all, it is rooted in our
Africanness. Culture is not an invention. We can only improve on it or better it.
7.
Culture is also about human dignity; and in discussing it, people should fight
against aspects that bring about social exclusion; such as the sort of thinking that
would make some people discriminate against albinos.
8.
The Commission participants stressed that Africans need to question aspects of
our behaviour that militates against collective development. We must nurture
those aspects of our cultures that engender solidarity; for example, which would
make an African anywhere to feel that they should solidarise with the victims of
Ebola within the Manor River states.
9.
Sexual violence against women is a matter of concern. We must show respect to
and engage each other even while disagreeing. We must support the lobbying
and advocacy for unions and associations of literature and culture. Furthermore,
African culture needs to be promoted by way of establishing awards to recognize
those who bring out the positive elements, both in literature and other creative
art-forms. For Africans in the Diaspora, our identity as Africans, in projecting our
ways of life, including clothing, must be positively encouraged. At the end of the
day, it needs to be recognized that culture is one of the most fundamental areas in
which we in the African Diaspora can establish the African connection.
10. Africans need to take ownership of our creative arts, in the form of patents and
royalties, in order not to make non-Africans use them for the profit.
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Prof. Atukwei Okai, (Pan African Writers Assciation-PAWA) chaired the Commission on Culture and Creative Arts
11. There is a need to strengthen links between peoples in the Diaspora and those on
the continent as well as across the continent in unravelling the borders created by
colonialism: One Africa, one people; Ensuring that all are represented,
particularly women, people with disabilities, albinos and other minorities, both in
our deliberations as well as in cultural output and activities.
The Arts and Culture Commission’s Resolutions
1. That the arts play a strong role in documenting our history. There should be
promotion of arts education in schools and an encouragement of education
departments to ensure that the school curriculum includes pan African history.
2.
The issues of visas in the pan African world should be revisited as it makes cultural
exchanges difficult.
3.
All knowledge should be translated from local languages into colonial languages
and vice-versa so that information can be better shared. Institutes of higher
learning with language departments and with funding from governments could
be tasked with doing this at Masters or doctoral level as conditionality to
receiving funding.
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4.
There is a need for pan African literary prizes to be funded by monies from the Pan
African world (and not money from Western donors).
5.
Governments, African Union and Pan African institutions should commission and
display visual art as part of promoting and publicizing the work of pan African
visual artists.
6.
Institutions in existence should be strengthened by better communication for
example PAWA and ACALAN so that efforts are not duplicated. There is a need for
greater social media (blogs, Facebook, Twitter) usage by the Pan African
Movement to reach its artist demographic.
7.
There should be strengthening of copyright law and promotion of purchase
rather than piracy of works of art so that artists can make a living from their work.
8.
National associations of artists need to be strengthened so that there could be
annual performances and meetings when literary artistes could meet up to set
some goals and review.
9.
There should be a quota system in libraries for African books. African
Governments should acquire at least 5,000 of every book published. There should
also be a quota system on radio and television broadcast of art (films, music) from
the pan African world. There should also be eradication of VAT on books.
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Chapter 5
The Closing Plenary/the Roadmap
This was an animated discussion, the main issue being the inertia that has plagued the
Pan African Movement and made it unable to become active and live up to its
responsibilities. The Congress came to the following conclusion after a joint motion
on the way forward towards the 2nd Stage of the Congress:
“Recognizing the need for permanent and enduring organizational structures and
operational principles for sustained activism in order to achieve the goals and
objectives of the resolutions arising from preceding Congresses to the 8th PAC”;
“Aware of the constraints which have hindered optimum functioning of the Pan
African Movement and recognizing the need to eliminate these in the post Congress
period in the build up to Phase II of the 8th Pan African Congress”;
The 8th Pan-African Congress resolves to:
1.
Draft for the Pan African Congress a Constitution that facilitates dialogue,
resolution and action within the local communities and centers power at the
African grassroots.
2.
Institute a committee to develop a general meeting of delegates from all
recognized regions for approval and adoption of the constitution.
3.
Provide an historical account of the development and activities of the Pan African
Congresses since 1994.
4.
Provide a concept on the way forward that will be accessible to all delegates at
least two weeks prior to the next global plenary session.
5.
Compile a database within 5 months of all opposition political parties across
Africa and leftists organizations to ensure inclusivity in terms of representation at
all levels of PAM.
6.
That the Local Organizing Committee should publish a report of the first session
of the 8th Pan African Congress within 3 months of the closing plenary.
7.
That the above report should include a financial statement which includes
identification of the friendly countries which supported the Congress through
financial donations and the amounts
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Hon. Dr. Ben Kumbuor, Minister of Defence Ghana delivering the closing speech
Congress also decided that the Governing Council must:
1. Draft a Constitution for Pan African Congress a constitution that facilitates
dialogue, resolution and action within the local communities and centres power
at the African grass root.
2.
Institute a committee to develop a general meeting of delegates from all
recognized regions for approval and adoption of the constitution
Closing Ceremony
The closing ceremony was addressed by Ghana’s Minister of Defence, Hon. Benjamin
Kumbour, on behalf of the President of the Republic of Ghana.
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Appendix 1
SPEECH BY HIS EXCELLENCY, JOHN DRAMANI MAHAMA,
PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF GHANA TO THE 8TH PAN AFRICAN CONGRESS
HELD IN ACCRA, GHANA.
Your Excellencies, distinguished guest, fellow Africans, members of the diplomatic
corps, comrades and friends, ladies and gentlemen.
You are all warmly welcome to Accra, Ghana, the home of Pan Africanism and to the
8th Pan African congress.
I give my special thanks to my brother, President Yayi Boni of the Republic of Benin and
I also give my respect to the Prime Minister of Equatorial Guinea and to our special
guests from Togo, Algeria, Iran and Zimbabwe for joining us in Accra for this
conference that coincides with the celebrations of our 58th anniversary of becoming
an independent nation.
And also with us is the representative of a great friend of Africa and current chair of the
Non – Aligned Movement and I am talking about the Vice President of the Islamic
Republic of Iran. You are all warmly welcome.
I would also like to acknowledge our Comrade, General Otafiire and his colleagues
from Uganda who have kept the flame of Pan Africanism burning over the last two
decades.
Indeed, Pan Africanism is the creation of the hard work and toil of our fathers to
liberate and to unite all of us of African ancestry, to establish our dignity as a people
and to seek our advancement as an integral part of a globalised world. Pan Africanism
is also born out of our quest to create a common bond to which we can work together
to achieve universal peace and security while creating a dignified life for our children.
We must therefore celebrate the work of the International Preparatory Committee
and the Local Organising Committee in sustaining the momentum of the movement
since the last Pan African Congress held in Kampala, Uganda in April 1994.
Our meetings over the next three days will bear testimony to the hopes and dreams of
W.E.B. Dubois, Sylvester Williams, Marcus Garvey and George Padmore.
It is also an affirmation of the fact that the dreams of Kwame Nkrumah, Sekou Toure,
Ahmed Ben Bella, Julius Nyerere, Jomo Kenyatta, Amilcar Cabral, Patrice Lumumba,
and the many others that are still alive today.
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Pan Africanism has always focused on the emancipation of the African people. While
the liberation struggle is largely over, the Pan Africanist agenda is not yet complete.
While we may be politically free, the question we must ask is, are we culturally free? Are
we economically free? Are we mentally liberated? Indeed in the current globalised
world the need for Pan Africanist solidarity is more urgent than before. The battle is
more complicated than before. The challenges we face are more complex than before.
Indeed ours was described as a dark continent in the past. Our continent was
perceived to be inseparably consigned to a life of despair, poverty and ignorance. But
we all know different. We know that is not the case. Africa is a young and vibrant
continent with a great heritage; a heritage which we can proud which has lasted from
the beginning of time and has preceded most other civilizations.
From the times of the Egyptians pyramid to the great sahalian kingdoms, Ghana Mali,
Songhai; to the beautiful architectural designs of Monomotapa to the study of
mathematics and science, to the great libraries of Timbuktu; Africa has demonstrated
a level of civilization that goes way beyond the imaginations of most other
civilizations in this world.
And as Africans, what must we do? We must not only acknowledge this history but we
must learn our rich heritage and culture and be proud of it because in doing so we will
affirm an avoidance of Marcus Garvey’s saying the people without the knowledge of
their history, origin and culture are like a tree without roots.
My comrades and friends, we continue to follow in the footsteps of our forbears who
worked to shine the light not just on our past but to create a beacon of hope for the
countless people of African origin. From people like W.E. Dubois to Marcus Garvey to
Martin Luther King Jnr. to Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, to Steve Bike to Nelson Mandela and
even today, to those who keep inspiring us like the former UN Secretary-General, Dr.
Kofi Annan.
Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first president after leading the struggles for our
independence said the now famous words, “The independence of Ghana is
meaningless unless it is linked up to the total liberations of the African continent”. With
this call, what Nkrumah had envisioned was a united Africa which will continue to
admit the newly liberated African states into one single state as they gained
independence. This he said was necessary and important to be done before we
became used to living as individual states. And this was because right from that very
beginning, Dr. Nkrumah was conscious of the fact the most assured path to success for
Africa would be found in the collective effort of African states working together,
trading among themselves and supporting themselves at all times.
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This is the dream that saw the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) as a natural
progression to the Pan Africanist movement. The OAU was formed to promote the
unity of the newly liberated African states as a part of the Pan African movement
which had the broader agenda of liberating all black people both in the motherland
Africa and the Diaspora. Alas and unfortunately Nkrumah was not truly understood by
many of his peers and here we are today, African leaders struggling decades after
Nkrumah’s period to try and achieve the very same things that he had advocated at
the dawn of liberation.
Our forebears of blessed memory; Nkrumah, Lumumba, Nyerere and Kenyatta
envisioned a united Africa that guarantees the free movement of its people and
products across the length and breadth of the continent from Cape Town to Cairo.
Their vision was not to promote an Africa that consigns itself to producing raw primary
commodities to the international market in return for capital goods and other
products that we have a comparative advantage to produce locally.
Our Pan African heritage enjoins us to work together in the face of adversity and
challenge. In recent years we may have been seeing and understanding this vision
that they outline for us. Recently the plan for the African standby force is being
revived. It may have taken some years to realise this but we are working at it. Great
strives are being made currently in creating a continental free trade area. At the last
African Union summit in Addis Ababa, key decisions were taken under the auspices of
the African High Level Committee on Trade which I chaired and a number of far
reaching decisions were agreed upon which will lead to a launch of a continental free
trade area in June this year during the next summit of the African union.
Also last month in Niger, the ECOWAS sub-region took important decisions under the
auspices of myself and President Mohamed Youssifou in moving to consolidate the
efforts of our French and English speaking countries towards the establishment of a
common currency and a central bank which are key to expanding trade and
movements of goods and services across our borders.
Your Excellencies, Fellow Comrades , our current challenges with the outbreak of
Ebola should also served as a wake-up call that we must each be each other’s brother’s
keeper. Let me thank my colleagues in the ECOWAS countries and many of our friends
in the African Union who contributed funds to support these countries during their
times of distress. Let me also express appreciation to the brave volunteers from the
African continent 45 of whom are my compatriots who are working in the three most
affected countries to bring the Ebola virus under control.
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These are among the few of the significant issues that we expect to discuss in the
coming days. These are some of the issues that the Pan African movement should be
considering and would be of great relevance today as Marcus Garvey hinted.
Pan Africanism is about a united front to help us make the best of our African heritage
and not just African but our black heritage to see the interest and ideals that will bring
lasting peace, hope and advancement to our people. That is the current demand of
Pan Africanism. The way forward even now is and always has been working together
as a race and as a people of African origin.
My African brothers and sisters, slavery has been abolished for a few centuries now.
Our continent broke the shackles of colonialism decades ago, apartheid and white
minority rule are now history but the legacies of slavery, colonialism and apartheid are
still with us and needs to be addressed with utmost urgency.
As we look back with the sense of fulfilment at the remarkable achievements we made
in the African liberation struggle, we should equally recognised the fact that our
political freedom has not yet translated into tangible economic security and the
independence we aspire to. So this is a new face of our struggle. The struggle to create
the Africa we want. One that ensures prosperity, decency and dignity to our people.
Your Excellencies, one of the stated objectives of the African union is the promotion of
research in all fields particularly in science and technology to advance the
development of our continent. This however is listed as the 13th of the 14 objectives of
our Union. We do need research and I urge member countries of our union to re-focus
on the importance of this particular objective.
I wish to appeal to all delegates of the 8th Pan African Congress to give attention to
discussing on how to reinvigorate the secretariat of the Pan Africa Movement and
make it more dynamic and responsive to the exigencies of the moment. It cannot be a
matter of pride for us that the last Pan African congress was held nearly two decades
ago. In our discussions, we should be guided by the vision of the Africa We Want. We
want a united Africa founded on the vision of Pan Africanism.
Your Excellencies, as I welcome you to Accra, on behalf of the people of Ghana, I wish
to welcome you and invite you to join us at the Black Star Square tomorrow the 6th of
March for our anniversary parade that marks the 58th anniversary of independence of
our beloved Ghana.
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Delegation from the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic
Africa will rise again through the collective efforts of its people, its farmers, its
teachers, its artisans, its intellectuals, its men and women, its youth, adults and
students and all of those who cherish a united and prosperous Africa.
My comrades and friends, ladies and gentlemen, on this note, it is my distinguished
honor and pleasure to declare the 8th Pan African Congress officially opened.
Long live Pan African solidarity!
Long live Africa!
Thank you and May God bless us all.
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Appendix 2
PREAMBLE TO THE RESOLUTIONS OF THE 8TH PAN AFRICAN CONGRESS OF
5TH TO 7TH MARCH, 2015
We, the representatives of the global Pan African family - gathered in Accra, Ghana
from 5th to the 7th of March 2015, to review progress made thus far since the Pan
African Congress in 1994 and to take stock of the continual challenges confronting
African persons of African descent globally. This represented the first session of the
8th Pan African Congress with the second session to be convened by May 2016.
The President of the Republic of Ghana, H.E John Dramani Mahama officially opened
the 8th Pan African Congress and delivered a keynote address calling upon all African
governments and people to take practical steps collectively- and in solidarity- for the
unification and development of Africa.
We recognized that we belong to a historical tradition of congress and regional
meetings that have convened over irregular periods since 1900, incorporating ardent
Pan Africanists of various persuasions from the Global Pan African Family, who
brought ideologies and political practice from a diverse set of circumstances in a
search for a more positive future for all.
We affirmed the contributions of the 1994 pre-Congress of women that established
the Pan African Women’s Liberation Organization to address the specific needs and
aspirations of women activists in the Pan African Movement.
We acknowledged that the world has significantly changed since the 1600 delegates,
men, women and youth from twenty countries and six continents, gathered in
Kampala and it is in that context that we understand the challenges and
contradictions faced by the standard bearers of Pan-Africanism. It is also in that
context that the Resolutions of the 7th Pan-African Congress were adopted, partially
implemented or completely ignored.
We recognized the need for African leadership to immediately implement processes
and structures that incorporate the 6th region of the African Union, the Diaspora, in
implementing Agenda 2020 and Agenda 2063.
Specifically, the head of the Secretariat, Tajudeen Abdul Raheem, was acknowledged
for playing a significant role in laying the groundwork for the continental transition of
the Organization of African Unity to the African Union in 2000.
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Similarly, he was a pivotal factor in ensuring that the social contradictions that after
resulted in open warfare in the Great Lakes Region was mediated by the involvement
of all stakeholders -governments and civil society – under the rubric “Africans to Solve
African Problems.”
This capacity to grasp complex situations with multiple interests and players was also
deployed by the head of the Secretariat in expediting dialogue between the African
Union, Civil Society and the Regional Economic Communities.
As a direct result of the persuasive powers of the PAC Secretariat head based on the
resolution of the 1994 delegates, Ethiopia amended its policy to allow the majority of
Africans to apply for a visa on arrival. Uganda and Tanzania subsequently followed
suit. We unreservedly applaud Mauritius, Seychelles, Mozambique, Rwanda and
Comoros that facilitate visa-free or visas on arrival for all African citizens. This is a
significant step in the often expressed desire for a continental passport.
Communication on these and other initiatives were shared on a regular basis via
“Tajudeen Postcards,” a short form of expression that cogently captured existing
challenges and successes while sharing a brief historical narrative that provided an
appropriate context. These briefs have been captured in book form under the title
“Speaking Truth to Power” effectively serving as a potential guidepost for the future.
Structurally the Secretariat established a Youth Desk and Women’s Desk, both of
which were functional for approximately six years after the 1994 Congress. Due to
existing external conditions which undermined earlier optimism regarding
fundraising, the Secretariat was unable to fund these two operations after that time.
However, both sectors have continued to contribute through the work of volunteers,
with the Youth able to do so more regularly. Youth Regional Meetings, workshops and
mobilization drives have kept the mission of the Pan African Congress viable,
especially within the East African Community States.
We acknowledged that all these achievements were only possible through the
generous support of the Uganda government who provided not only concrete
resources but a sense of legitimacy both within and external to the host country.
Focusing on current conditions, we recognized the obligation of the 8th Pan African
Congress to address in the most forceful terms the recent examples of the violation of
territorial sovereignty and personal dignity, and specifically the abductions (and
subsequent murder of one) of Presidents Laurent Gbagbo and Muammar Gaddafi.
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We called for an African member of the Security Council to ensure an African Voice for
both policy discussion and votes that are supportive of Global African Unity.
We also recognized that the establishment of African Union Brigade could effectively
serve as a stabilizing force in areas previously destabilized by Western interests, such
as Libya.
We welcomed the decision by the governments of the Republic of Cuba and the
United States of America to re-establish diplomatic relation between both countries
and call on all African governments to continue to support the lifting of the US
blockade against Cuba in all international forums.
We acknowledged the need for strong collaboration, especially through citizen input,
with existing Pan African entities and initiatives, such as Agenda 2063 of the AU, and
especially those identified specifically to promote the Sixth Region of the African
Union and the United Nations Decade for the Peoples of African Descent. Efforts such
as these can serve to educate and stimulate individuals within the Global African
Family who have not been previously reached to be mobilized in their own interests.
We stood in solidarity with all those who believe that Black Lives do matter and called
for raising greater consciousness in this area by expanding the concept to “Global
African Lives Matter.”
We viewed with alarm the root causes that drive so many African youth to migrate
from the continent, only to end up in desperate straits of indentured servitude,
especially young African women.
We received solidarity messages of support from the highest levels of government
from Algeria, Benin, Brazil, Equatorial Guinea, Iran, Togo, Venezuela and Zimbabwe in
addition to the Instituto Cubano de Amistad con los Pueblos.
We reiterated our opposition to the imposition of a neo-liberal Agenda that has and
continue to impoverish Africans farmers, peasants, workers, women and youth.
We unequivocally acknowledged the centrality of equal and equitable representation
and voice in all development and governance processes. In particular we recommit
ourselves to these principles of non-discrimination, equality and equal
representation of women and youth in PAM structures and processes.
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We collectively called for the total liberation of all Africans and persons of African
descent still living under the yoke of occupation, colonization and oppression,
including as one of the last colonies in Africa, Western Sahara, Martinique, Mayotte
Comoros, Chagos Island, Puerto Rico, Cayenne, Guadalupe, and West Papau.
We strongly condemn all forms of religious extremism and other forms of
fundamentalism and uphold building an environment for religious freedom of
consciousness and expression. We condemned the recent murders of 21 Egyptian
citizens in Libya.
We unequivocally condemn the unchecked violence being perpetrated by extremist
groups such as the Jama'atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda'Awati Wal-Jihad (Boko Haram), Al
Shabaab, Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), Al Qaida, Democratic Forces for the
Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), Lord’s Resistance Army
(LRA) and Janjaweed against African people while recognizing that neoliberal policies
and imperialist interventions are the real cause.
We re-committed ourselves to Global Solidarity Action in mutual Support of Struggle
of the Global Pan-African family.
Then after meeting in six Commissions with full, lengthy, interactive discourse, we
adopted the following Resolutions as identified by each specific area:
RESOLUTIONS OF THE 8th PAN AFRICAN CONGRESS, 5 – 7 MARCH,
ACCRA, GHANA
We, the people of Africa, convened here in Accra under the auspices of the 8th Pan
African Congress,
AWARE of the efforts made by our fore bearers towards the total liberation and unity
of the African people,
WARY of the obstacles and challenges faced by the African people in this pursuit from
both within and without,
CONSCIOUS of the multiple systems of oppression faced by black people across the
world,
APPRECIATING the need to strengthen unity and foster solidarity across borders,
within and outside of Africa amongst the global African community,
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COMPELLED by the need to organize the efforts and energies of those living on the
continent and those in the diaspora toward achieving these goals,
SENSITIVE to the demands of our local communities and of the need to integrate
them into a coherent continental whole,
FAVOURING the values of community, co-operation and altruism versus
individualism, self-interest and competition,
EMPHASISING the need to establish the Pan African Congress as a social, economic
and political platform for the common people to engage in at all levels of society,
APPRECIATING the need to integrate within the framework of the Pan African
Congress a human-based value system that promotes collectivism, altruism and cooperation as principal components of the organization,
ACKNOWLEDGING the need for Africa to unite through a common framework that
unites all regions that have significant African populations, and
COGNIZANT of the fact that all black lives matter:
The 8th Pan-African Congress resolves through its respective commissions as follows:
Commission No. 1
Concerning Pan African Alternatives to Neo-Liberalism and for Sustainable
Development
ALIVE to the effects of neo-liberalism and convinced of the need to develop an
alternative system that will afford economic justice to the African people,
AWARE of the need to create an organ through which the common Africa can directly
voice their needs and mobilize themselves towards common action, and
AWARE of the historical impetus of the series of the Pan African Congresses and of the
need to mature hese into a permanent representative body of the African people
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Do hereby resolve to:
1.
Ensure that African governments not pursue neo-liberal development pathways
but instead seek to build local industrial base founded on value addition.
2.
Promote the development of a common African currency for the African
continent, with concurrent supportive monetary policies, as a basis for the
development of a real alternative to neo-liberalism.
3.
Reiterate our opposition to the privatization of public assets to the detriment of
the rights, livelihoods and legitimate interests of populations.
4.
Call upon African governments not to ratify the Economic Partnership
Agreements (EPAs) with the European Union (EU) as these would be ruinous to
the masses of the African population, primary producers, workers and selfemployed small-holder farmers.
5.
Ensure that natural and national resources are utilized in a manner that benefits
present and future generations of Africans. This should include policies that reject
use of GMO stock, support plant variety protection and address the development
of a central seed bank with subsidiaries in various parts of the Pan African world.
6.
Encourage local economic and social development anchored on collective
ownership, control, management and benefit by communities. Current concerns
include, but are not limited to, land reclamation after legal and illegal mining
activities, restitution of barren farm lands, slash and burn methods that
destabilize forest areas and community control of timber cutting.
7.
Recognize the long-term threat posed by genetically modified organisms and
reject the commercialization of seed stock that jeopardizes Africa’s own food
sovereignty.
8.
Recognize that sustainability is a hollow concept without a healthy population
and therefore call on PAM at all levels to address traditional and Western forms of
medical treatment and care and to share this knowledge appropriately.
9.
Call upon the African Union (AU) to establish clear norms and a body of
professionals to regulate medical research by multinational corporations and
external institutions in Africa in order to stop the exploitation of the poor and
uninformed.
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Commission No. 2 - Women
Concerning Strengthening Global Solidarity and Voice of The Pan African Women’s
Movement:
In light of the theme of the 8th Pan African Congress and building on the resolutions of
the 7th Pan African Congress in 1994, the commission on strengthening global
solidarity and voice of Pan African Women’s Movement states as follows:
Recognizing and appreciating the inherent linkages, inseparability and
complementarity between the struggle for women’s emancipation and gender
justice and the struggle for Africa’s liberation and development
We resolve to:
1.
Commit to addressing structural barriers that keep half of the pan-African
constituency subjugated and unable to access freedom, justice and dignity.
2.
Commit to the documentation and preservation of women who have made
immense contributions to the Pan-African movement and commit to ensuring
they form part and parcel of the collective memory and public imagery of
dominant/mainstream narratives of pan Africanism.
3.
Call to memory and demand the immediate release and rescue of the over 200
girls who were abducted in Chibok, Nigeria close to a year ago and who still
remain abductees, and to ensure provision of socio-psycho and material support
upon their return.
4.
Stand in solidarity with and call for the immediate freedom for women and girls
and the peoples of Sahrawi Democratic Republic (Western Sahara) from
colonization and patriarchy.
5.
Call for universal and immediate ratification and implementation of existing
gender responsive instruments (Maputo Protocol, Solemn Declaration on Gender
Equality Agenda, CEDAW, Beijing+20, UNSCR’s1325, 1820) as well as ensuring
accountability for non-compliance as a way to further ideals of pan-Africanism.
6.
Commit to strengthen healthcare systems and volunteerism to prevent and
effectively respond to crises such as Ebola.
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7.
Recognizing that we cannot afford to sustain practices that are harmful to the
dignity, respect and freedom of women and girls, including FGM,
child/early/forced marriage, widow inheritance, breast ironing, indentured
servitude, especially in the Middle East, and thus contrary to ideals of panAfricanism, we call for their immediate abolishment.
8.
Push for equal access to, control over and ownership of Africa’s resources
(between men and women) – ensure progressive land policies and secure access
to land rights for African women.
9.
Address all forms of violence against women and girls, the eradication of violence
and sexism in both private and public spheres, religious fundamentalism and
extremism that threatens progress and freedom.
10. Address illicit financial flows, ensure tax justice – progressive taxation, remove VAT
on essential products and direct these as well as other funds to finance the African
women’s movement as a means to further the cause of pan-Africanism.
11. Effect a policy on IDPs and their treatment and their human right to dignity.
12. Ensure that inter-generational mentoring, exchange and learning takes place;
that young women will have a place in discussions, deliberations and decisionmaking spaces.
13. Reach out and create linkages with existing structures, networks and platforms
including the African Feminist Forum, for greater synergy and impact.
14. Must put to an immediate stop the plunder, not only of mineral resources, but
most importantly of human resources, the women and their bodies (DRC).
15. Address the burden of unpaid care work that falls largely on women and girls and
has resulted in the large number of women affected by Ebola.
16. Establish as a principle, 50% representation of women in decision-making within
8th Pan African Congress structure (Interim Processes, International Planning
Committee and Governing Council).
17. Ensure the convening of a women’s congress prior to the second phase of the 8th
Pan African Congress, and resuscitate the women’s desk before the Congress.
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18. Define and celebrate the African woman. Her image as defined by the African
women her color, Her Strength, Her Creativity. Alleviate the burden on the African
woman. Change the depiction of African women and celebrate the African
woman in all her diversity.
19. Support the creation of a tax free reparation fund that with 60% directed to the
status of the African women.
20. Recognize the political rights of women. These must be promoted and protected,
in terms of attending meetings, voting rights etc.
Commission No. 3
Concerning Enhancing Pan Africanism through Democracy, Accountable Governance
& Peace and Security
We resolve that:
1.
African nations should explore alternative sources of financing key regional
bodies on Peace and security, good governance and democracy for higher
effectiveness and coherence, including AU and Regional Economic Commissions.
The commission recognizes that states are already undertaking additional
measures away from donor funding and encourages them to continue in that
search of alternatives.
2.
There are a lot of external actors and foreign states embedded in our governance
and economic systems. We regard this as dangerous. African States should be
governed following their own interests and priorities and they should be able to
make decisions that work for them in the long term and that do not weaken the
already fragile economic structures. We specifically call for the removal of the
USA facilitated African Command and all other foreign military bases in Africa.
3.
The importance of fighting against illicit financial flows in Africa is a paramount
concern. African States need to enforce structures for reducing and monitoring
illicit financial flows
4.
The reduction of poverty is key to the promotion of sustainable peace and
security and the need to implement mechanisms that address and control
corruption.
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5.
African States need to address poverty as the key cause of conflict and insecurity,
as well as to address new challenges to peace and security such as radicalization,
terrorism, etc.
6.
African States need to reinforce their commitment to national and regional
instruments that seek to strengthen the spirit of Pan Africanism, especially in a
South-to-South context, highlighting commitments towards the UN resolution
1325 on women, peace and security; and the AU Agenda 2020 to end all armed
conflict in Africa by 2020.
7.
Africans should benefit directly from their own natural resources.
8.
African states need to keep showing strong solidarity with the people of Western
Sahara and the Saharawi people, in one of the last colonies in Africa. In particular,
African states should boycott any activities that are geared towards destabilizing
the region. Likewise, it urges International Organizations and all other organizers
to accomplish the decolonization process through political, economic, and sports
sanctions against Morocco, Spain and France, as well as to cancel any meeting or
activity planned in the occupied city of Dakhla.
9.
African States should consolidate resources towards strengthening employment
structures by creating jobs and opportunities for the youth to assure decent work,
empower them and avoid connected issues such as the recruitment of young
people into terrorist groups.
10. There should be the establishment of an African security policy with respect to
resource mobilization management and the development of appropriate
security personnel.
11. Pan Africanism respects diverse political ideologies and approaches for
development of their members, celebrating the diversity in unity.
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Commission No. 4
Youth and Students Commission
The Youth Commission resolves:
1.
To actively promote the grass root development of the Pan African Movement
(PAM) through clubs, educational institutions, youth led and youth focused
organizations.
2.
To collaborate with the Secretariat to fast track the formulation of the Pan Africa
Youth Movement as resolved in the 7th Pan African Congress.
3.
To organize a youth exchange program for the youth within the Pan African
Movement, in all countries both on and off the continent.
4.
To propagate the Pan African Agenda by harnessing the gains made by
Information Communication Technology within the continent and Diaspora with
an aim of mobilizing for the movement.
5.
To establish Pan African Youth Solidarity Platform across the globe for the
Independence of Western Sahara.
The Youth Commission calls upon the Secretariat to:
1.
Put in place a Monitoring and Evaluation Mechanism that ensures the
implementation of the resolutions of the PAC by strengthening the local, regional
and secretariat capacities to implement resolutions.
2.
Actively advocate for the transformation of the education systems to raise Pan
African Consciousness.
3.
Ensure that the PAC Constitution is implemented to the letter.
4.
Enhance linkages between Pan African investors and Pan African entrepreneurs
to promote a thriving PAM.
5.
Deliberately co-opt youth into all structures of the Pan African Movement
including but not limited to the Governing Council and the International
Preparatory Committee, and resuscitating the youth desk and congress.
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6.
Establish and elect a Pan African Youth Coordinator and designate such
coordinator as part of the permanent structures of the Pan African Movement.
7.
Ensure that the Pan African Youth Parliament is established via a deliberate
electoral process.
8.
Create a Centre for Pan-African Leadership and Excellence by which a new
generation of Pan Africanists will be groomed in leadership, service and integrity.
Commission No. 5
Concerning Pan-African Media & the Global Pan-African Family:
(Communication & Traditional Media; Role of the New Social Media)
Recognizing the crucial role of the media (traditional as well as the new social media)
in advancing the cause of Pan-Africanism, the commission resolves that 8th PAC
should support the PAM to:
1.
Work towards assisting Africa to find its voice in the global space.
2.
Provide African content in the curricular of institutions of media and mass
communications.
3.
Set up a Communications Unit in the PAM Secretariat as well as a
Communications committee in preparation for the second Phase of the 8th PAC.
4.
Establish and implement a strategy to popularize the values of pan-Africanism as
well as activities of the global Movement.
5.
Establish a code of principles for pan-African journalists as well as a network of
politically-conscious Pan-African journalists and content producers (including
bloggers, writers and social media activists).
6.
Create, populate and popularize a Pan-African Calendar to highlight events and
ideas of the Pan African movement.
7.
Promote 25 May using all media to focus on Pan-Africanism.
8.
Establish a pan-African publication on Pan-Africanism.
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Ahmed Rajab (UK/Tanzania) Chaired the Commission on Media
9.
Establish a network for broadcasting pan-African news and ideas and create
synergies with existing platforms.
10. Promote the use of African languages in African media.
11. Support existing pan-African publishing ventures to promote works that further
the ideals of pan-Africanism.
12. Ensure that Pan-African publications are available, accessible and affordable.
13. Establish Pan-Africa Media Awards.
14. Promote access to HTML code for all ages through regional trainings to ensure
competencies to create PAM websites.
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Commission 6
Concerning the Role of Culture and Creative Arts in promoting Pan Africanism
COGNIZANT of the immense role of culture and the creative arts in documenting our
history and shaping our collective narratives and consciousness, we resolve to:
1.
Promote arts education in schools and encourage education departments to
ensure that school curriculum that is afro-centric, recognizes the validity of
Indigenous Knowledge Systems and promotes the values and principles of PanAfricanism.
2.
Facilitate cultural exchanges and ensure freedom of movement that by
addressing the prohibitive nature of visas.
3.
Translate knowledge from local languages into colonial languages and vice-versa
so that information can be better shared. Institutes of higher learning with
language departments and with funding from governments could be tasked with
doing this at Masters or doctoral level as a conditionality to receiving funding.
4.
Establish and support existing pan African literary prizes/residencies funded by
money from the Pan African world.
5.
Support the African arts industry by encouraging all African institutions and panAfrican focused and led institutions to commission and display visual art, play
African music, publish African books, utilize African furniture and serve African
food (airlines).
6.
Strengthen existing institutions for example Pan Africa Writers Association
(PAWA) and Academy of African Languages (ACALAN) to ensure that their efforts
are not being duplicated.
7.
Make use of emerging technologies and ICTs, new media platforms including
social media to ensure a wider reach to all constituencies.
8.
Strengthen copyright law and promotion of purchase rather than piracy of works
of art so that artists can make a living from their work.
9.
Strengthen national associations of visual, performance and literary artists.
10. Establish a quota system in libraries and resource centers for African books, radio
and TV for African music and films from the pan-African world. Eliminate VAT on
books, film and music.
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Dr. Wangui wa Goro (Kenya) addressing the Commission on Culture and Creative Arts
11. Ensure resolutions of the pan-African congress are fed through arts and culture
education at regional culture and arts centers and the African Union.
Resolution 7
Concerning Historical and Contemporary Injustices against People of African Origin
Agreeing that the two critical issues for discussion were addressing Racism and
Violence against Black People and Reparations for Historical and Contemporary
Injustices.
We resolve to;
1.
Condemn the violence and racial discrimination perpetrated against black
people wherever they find themselves. In that regard, the Congress should
strongly express solidarity to the ‘Black Lives Matter’ campaign in the North
America but more importantly consider the proposal that ‘African Lives Matter’ be
adopted as a global campaign as a way of consolidating our common identity.
Moreover, it is time that African leaders use global political platforms to condemn
brutalities committed against African descendants globally and to speak of the
holocaust committed against the African people, including the targeting of
African populations who are incarcerated in disproportionate numbers in
Western prisons.
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2.
Raise the contradiction of African leaders not responding to injustices meted
against African citizens. For instance, there was a recent solidarity march in France
joined by some African leaders to condemn the violence against French citizens in
France whiles no African leader has responded to the atrocities committed
against over 2000 people in Nigeria.
3.
Encourage Africans to approach their issues from the bottom-up, as way of
knowing themselves rather than being committed to top-down approaches. For
instance, the manner in which African leaders recently succumbed to the US
Africa summit sponsored by the Obama Administration.
4.
Acknowledge that the debt burdens carried by most African countries is
unconscionable and should be reviewed as part of the reparations discussion.
5.
Acknowledge that the struggle of African people against Racism should also be
looked at from a biological warfare perspective. For instance, the recent epidemic
of Ebola in the West Africa region, in terms of its introduction, professional
approach to contain and reduce infections and follow-up for both infected and
non-infected populations should be seen as a critical issue of Western Imperialist
aggression to reduce black populations and control their resources.
6.
Address the origins of racism, particularly from the point of economic oppression
and its manifestation as a state of mind, with appropriate mechanisms for all
Africans irrespective of social status.
7.
Call on the Congress to appeal to African leaders to show respect and love to
themselves as a reflection of the people that they govern. The Congress should
therefore appeal to all Africans to value themselves.
8.
Appeal to African governments to train their diplomats in their foreign missions
to make connections with African people living in foreign countries to promote
Pan African objectives.
9.
Fully support the CARICOM initiative on Reparations as a model for addressing a
particular form of reparations.
10. Recommend that PAM be more inclusive of all the Reparation initiatives in the
Diaspora and in Africa as a united effort. This is to include all efforts, whether or
not for formerly enslaved Caribbean people, such as N'COBRA in North America
and the United Kingdom initiative.
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11. Acknowledge our fallen or ascended ancestors such as; Bob Marley, Amb. Dudley
Thompson, Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, Queen Nzinga, Kwame Ture', Cong.
Donald Payne, Sylvester Williams, Marcus Garvey, Rev. Leon Sullivan, Rosa Parks,
Dorothy Height, Ben Ami Israel, Julius Nyerere, Nelson Mandela, Oliver Tambo,
Walter Sisulu, Walter Rodney, Tajudeen Abdul Raheem, Imamu Baraka, Elombe
Brath, Maya Angelou and Malcolm X.
12. Draw the attention of the Congress to the absence of our Traditional Leaders in
the Congress as custodians of the land and the symbolic embodiment of tradition
and culture. This includes our religious leaders who have so much influence over
the minds and souls of our people and the need to co-opt them into the Pan
African movement/initiative.
13. Recommend the identification of appropriate organizations as conduits for
Africans of the Diaspora to partner the PAM initiatives at all levels and facilitate the
involvement or inclusion of Africans from the Diaspora who have repatriated back
home to Mother Africa.
14. Strongly support the actualization of the concept of the 6th Region of Africa,
being the Diaspora, by the 8th Pan African Congress.
15. Propose that the institutions that have emerged in the past 2 decades such as the
PANAFEST, Emancipation Day, Mwalimu Nyerere Intellectual Festivals and others
which have promoted Pan Africanism and contributed significantly to the Pan
African movement be supported through incorporation at all levels of the
Congress.
16. Strenuously call on all African governments to recognize the role of previous
African societies in the human enslavement process and commit to dual
citizenship for those Africans descendants who are unable to identify their
countries of origin.
After the resolutions from the Commissions were presented to plenary, the session
chair requested additions and or amendments to the existing resolutions. Comments
were integrated into the existing resolutions proposed by the Commissions. Listed
below are the outstanding resolutions that were not applicable to the existing
Commissions.
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Resolution A.
Concerning a Permanent Post-Congress Organizational Structure
Recognizing the need for permanent and enduring organizational structures and
operational principles for sustained activism in order to achieve the goals and
objectives of the resolutions arising from preceding Congresses to the 8th PAC;
Aware of the constraints which have hindered optimum functioning of the Pan
African Movement and recognizing the need to eliminate these in the post Congress
period in the build up to Phase II of the 8th Pan African Congress;
The 8th Pan-African Congress resolves to:
Draft for the Pan African Congress a constitution that facilitates dialogue, resolution
and action within the local communities and centers power at the African grass root.
Institute a committee to develop a general meeting of delegates from all recognized
regions for approval and adoption of the constitution.
Provide an historical account of the development and activities of the Pan African
Congresses since 1994.
Provide a concept on the way forward that will be accessible to all delegates at least
two weeks prior to the next global plenary session.
Compile a database within 5 months of all opposition political parties across Africa
and leftist organizations to ensure inclusivity in terms of representation at all levels of
PAM.
Resolution B.
Concerning Financial Matters of the Congress
That the Local Organizing Committee should publish a report of the first session of the
8th Pan African Congress within 3 months of the closing plenary.
That the above report should include a financial statement which includes
identification of the friendly countries which supported the Congress through
financial donations and the amounts.
Draft for the Pan African Congress a constitution that facilitates dialogue, resolution
and action within the local communities and centers power at the African grass root.
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Institute a committee to develop a general meeting of delegates from all recognized
regions for approval and adoption of the constitution.
Resolution C.
Concerning Venue and Date of the Next Congress
GIVEN that the 8th Pan African Congress has convened 21 years after the 7th Pan
African Congress and that the current Congress has agreed that this is a two stage
process,
COGNIZANT of the concerns expressed by a significant number of delegates
regarding the negative impact on the PAM of not convening subsequent Congresses
in a timely manner, and
ACKNOWLEDGING the strengths that are gained through collaborative partnerships
based on transparency, integrity and political synergies,
We resolve that:
1. The Governing Council should evaluate in a timely manner, with due consultation
at the appropriate levels, all proposals for the second phase of the 8th Pan African
Congress, and
2.
The membership be informed of the Governing Council’s decision in an equally
timely manner so as to ensure the presence of all identified delegates by sectors.
Resolution D.
Concerning Support for the Communities of African-Brazilian and Indigenous Peoples
of Brazil
GIVEN that the largest population of African descendants in the world outside of the
African continent resides in Brazil
COGNIZANT of the continued lack of integration experienced by these communities
within Brazil at all levels and within all sectors
ACKNOWLEDGING the responsibility that the Pan African Movement has in ensuring
their integration into the Global African Family, and
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UNDERSTANDING that addressing these issues will also strengthen the presence and
role of PAM within the entire Portuguese-speaking Global African Family
We resolve to:
1. Firmly repudiate the ongoing genocide plaguing African Brazilians, especially the
youth.
2. Support the Campaign “React or Be Dead” which is intended to draw attention of
the international community to the disrespect for human rights upheld by the
United Nations as demonstrated by many Brazilians towards African-Brazilians
and indigenous people.
3.
Acknowledge the importance of supporting the Indigenous people in Brazil,
including the Riparian populations in the Amazon regions, North, Northeast and
Central West Regions of Brazil.
4. Address the needs of all African-Brazilians who practice religions based on
traditional African values, philosophies and ethics.
5.
Support all community-based, municipal, state and federal organizations that
support the preservation of African culture in Brazil.
6.
Call for acknowledgement and government support for the Quilombo
Communities that are scattered throughout the Brazilian territory.
7. Enthusiastically encourage the inclusion of the Portuguese language in all media
material, written or verbal, electronic or viral that addresses the issue of Pan
Africanism.
Concerning Motion of Thanks
The Pan-African Congress wishes to pass a special motion of thanks to the initiators of
this meeting, namely His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic
of Ghana, and His Excellency Yoweri Museveni, President of Uganda and Patron of the
8th Pan-African Congress; Rtd. Major General Kahinda Otafiire, Convener and
Chairman of the International Preparatory Committee (IPC); Members of the IPC; the
Local Organizing Committee (LOC), Various National Preparatory Committees; the
Staff and Volunteers of the Secretariat, and all those who morally and materially
contributed to the success of this Congress. Finally, the delegates, participants and
observers of this Congress hereby express their sincere gratitude to the people and
the government of Ghana for their generous hospitality.
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Deputy Foreign Minister of Ghana, Ambassador Kwesi Quartey
in a chat with Rabbi Kohain Halevi and Julia Lynne Walker
Participants of The 8th Pan African Congress
No. Full Name
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
Organisation
Saharawi Arab Democratic
Republic Youth
Abdel Kader Khomri
Ministry of Youth Algeria
Nadjem Walid
Ministry of Youth Algeria
Rodney Roosevelt Worrell
Pan-African Movement of Barbados
Gbenagnon John
FEMNET
Ayeta Anne Wangusa
Culture & Development
East African (C.D.E.A)
Baikalafi Moemedi Dennis
BNYC/AYU
Gogontlgang Phaladi
GPPHP
Mokwato Tsaone Amogelang AASU
Mouadi Tim Mosinyi
N/A
Phatsimo Mosimanegape
Youth Alliance For Leadership &
Development in Africa
Country
ABBA ELHASSAN
Algeria
Algeria
Algeria
Barbados
Benin
Botswana
Botswana
Botswana
Botswana
Botswana
Botswana
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No. Full Name
12.
Samuel AZEVEDO
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
Akichi Akichi Arsene
Antonio Palazuelos Prieto
Nilte Nashia Gomes
Fossuo Kengne Fabienne
NANA KOJO OFEI DAMPTEY
Honore Obambi
Innocent Michel Peya
Itoua Ngoma Francis M.
Kitoko Mulenda Devos
Mabeki Botongo Dimitri
Edwige Dro
Guirieoulou Emile
Kone Katinan Justin
Kouame Secre Richard
Lazare Koffi Koffi
Mr.Pedro dela Hoz Gonzalez
29.
30.
31.
Dalaya Ashenafi
DIA Mamadou
Moya Yoseph Dagne
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
38.
Takyiwaa Manuh
Giucia Bonaci
A.Y. Sizalo
Aaron Scott
Abdullah Musah Abdullah
Adusei Isaac
Ahaezi Kofigse Dzinadzor
39.
40.
41.
42.
43.
44.
Akuffo-Henaku Patricia O.
Albert Quarcoo -Zaah
Alfred Suli
Alhaji Abu Badingu
AMB. Kojo AmooAMB. Partick Hayford
Organisation
Country
Director de Departamento de
Promoçáo de Igualdad Raciasl (DEPIR)
Afrique Debout
AFRINYPE
AFRINYPE
Pan-African Movement
Brazil
Burkina Faso
Cabo Verde
Cabo Verde
Cameroun
Canada
Forum Des Ecrivain Progreste Du Congo Congo
Forum Des Ecrivain Progreste Du Congo Congo
Delegation Congolaise
Congo
Delegation Congolaise
Congo
Delegation Congolaise
Congo
writer
Cote D'Ivoire
Coordination FPI of Ivorian Refugees
Cote D'Ivoire
Spoke person of President Gbagbo
Cote D'Ivoire
Coordination FPI of Ivorian Refugees
Cote D'Ivoire
Coordination FPI of Ivorian Refugees
Cote D'Ivoire
Central Committee of the Communist
Party of Cuba
Cuba
University of Johannesburg
Ethiopia
AUC
Ethiopia
MEQOAMIA Community
Development Organisation
Ethiopia
UNECA
Ethiopia
Historian-IRD
France
Ethics Africa
Ghana
African Hebrew Community
Ghana
Ghana Institute of languages
Ghana
Africa Business Network
Ghana
Togbe Tsali Research and
Information Center
Ghana
University of Ghana
Ghana
C.P.P.
Ghana
Karizella Company
Ghana
DFA
Ghana
N/A
Ghana
Former Ambassador
Ghana
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Page | 70
No. Full Name
45.
46.
47.
48.
49.
50.
51.
52.
53.
54.
55.
56.
57.
58.
59.
60.
61.
62.
63.
64.
65.
66.
67.
68.
69.
70.
71.
Ameyibor Kwesi Ernest
Amram Helevi
Anome Gabriel
Anthony Omonigho Udebor
Anyunyam
Apostle Samuel Teye Doku
Asare Bediako
Aswad Nkrabea
Awaah Fres
Bakari Tahiru Bombi
Bandua,Emmanuel Kwasi
Barfour Nsenkyire Akosa II
Benjamin Tetteh
Boadi Eric N. Atoo
Brandna Djagba
C.K. Dewornu
Charles B. Josob
Charles Domi
Charles Kojo
Charles Olivier De-Gballet
Charles Osei-Mensah
Charlotte Odamitten
Constance Baadu
Damana Adia
Dan Alolga Akatapore
Dauda Mohammed Suru
Debra Kiliru
72.
73.
74.
75.
76.
77.
78.
79.
80.
Dede Amanor Wilks
Dieu-Donne Gameli
Dominic Kojo Blay
Dr Don-Arthur E.G.A
Dr. Gamal Nasser
Dr. Sharita Yazid
Dreben Ewusi-Emmim
Duke Tagoe
Earna Terefe-Kassa
Organisation
Country
Ghana Institute of languages
Pan African Youth Movement
Vision In Motion
Africa Travel Times
ANUMUNYAN
Council of Industrial Churches (C.I.C)
C.P.P.
8th PAC Local Organising Committee
All Africa Students Union
Ghana Industrial Company
Parliament of Ghana
Africa Call Foundation
Odododiodio
Presec Osu
Mac-DinalBruno fashion
Police Service
Namibia High Commission
8th PAC Local Organising Committee
Ghana Institute of Languages
Media Congo Brazaville
M.F.A.S.R.T
Karizella Company
8th PAC Local Organising Committee
Coordination FPI of Ivorian Refugees
8th PAC Local Organising Committee
8th PAC Local Organising Committee
Rastafari council and motherland
Int'l Relations
C.P.P.
Ghana Think Foundation
All Africa Students Union
N/A
8th PAC Local Organising Committee
Vegetarian Assoc.of Ghana
Ghana Medical Association
The Insight
African American Association Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
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Page | 71
No. Full Name
81.
82.
83.
84.
85.
86.
87.
88.
89.
90.
91.
92.
93.
94.
95.
96.
97.
98.
99.
100.
101.
102.
103.
104.
105.
106.
107.
108.
109.
110.
111.
112.
113.
114.
115.
116.
117.
Ebenezer Dzabaku
Ebow Hanson
Ebow Tawiah
Edem Glitse
Elizabeth Y. Amuzu
Emmanuel N. Okine
Eric Kwakye Darfour
Ernest Ortsin
Esther Godwyll
Eunice Abeka
Evelyn Attah
Felix Tano
Florence Abena
Francis Apelete
Frimpong Justice
Gasu Esinam
Gbeasor Alain Attase
George Spencer Quaye
Gifty Mary Sunkyebe
Gnangui Alphonse
Gorka Mohammed
Gyekye Tanoh
Hecumuel Hacohen
Ibrahim A. Ahmed
Isaac Dadzie
Isaac Justice Bediako
Jersey L Edison
John Atta Kakra Kusi
Jojo Grant
Joseph Asare-Mensah
Juliana Owusu -Ansah
Justice Henaku Akuffo
Kodjo Hodari-Okae
Kofi Afrika
Kofi Anyidoho
Koomson A.George
Kugblenu Sema K. Godwin
Organisation
Country
Global Family Care
Daily Graphic
S.F.G.
Ghan institute of languages
The Think Tank Africa forum (.T.T.A.F)
Time and life
Parliament
UNISPHERE Ghana
8th PAC Local Organising Committee
Parliament House
Kinbu Senior High Tech. Sch.
Individual
OODE4GHANA
Ghana Institute of Languages
Street Academy
Pan Africanist
Alliance of Young Entrepreneur
People Forum
African Hebrew Organisation
Coordination FPI of Ivorian Refugees
N.S.D
International Socialists of Ghana
African Hebrew Community
A.I.C.C.
8th PAC Local Organising Committee
Ultimate fm/Sahara TV U.S.A.
Diasporan African Forum
Ghana Tourism Authority
Africacenta
N/A
Ghana National College
8th PAC Local Organising Committee
Socialists Forum
8th PAC Secretariat
University of Ghana
S.F.G.
PRINTLAB
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
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Page | 72
No. Full Name
118.
119.
120.
121.
122.
123.
124.
125.
126.
127.
128.
129.
130.
131.
132.
133.
134.
135.
136.
137.
138.
139.
Kwadwo Afari-Yeboah
Kwakye Ernest
Kwame Sam
Kwasi Adu
Kwasi Anhwere
Kwasi Asante
Kwasi Gyan-Apenteng
Kwasi Michael Offei
Kweku Andoh Baffour
Kweku Sersah-Johnson
Kwesi Pratt Jnr.
Kyeretwie Opoku
Lt. Col. Gbevlo Lartey
Majeed Adam
Majewa Adoujomoke-Akpan
Mame Lena Diop
Martha Alonsi
Mary Mawuwornu Akorli
Michael G. Blake (Djabi)
Mike Awua Asmoa
Monnet Leon Emm.
Mrs.Freda O. Bediako-Duni
140.
141.
142.
143.
144.
145.
146.
147.
148.
149.
150.
151.
152.
153.
Nana Ama Eson-Mensah
Nana Kweku Egyir Gyepi III
Nana Ninsin-Imbeah II
Nana Yaa Gyemfua Boadu
Napoleon Abdulai
Nat Lomo Mainoo
Nii Adotey Allotey
Nii Allotey Brew Hammond
Nzinga Janna
Owei Lakemfa
Paa-Quecy Adu
Panela Agba
Peter Amponsah
Powell, Brenda
Organisation
Country
C.P.P.
HOT C.A.S.S
All African Peoples Revolutionary Party
8th PAC Local Organising Committee
N/A
8th PAC Local Organising Committee
Ghana Association of Writers
PSRS
Vegetarian Assoc.of Ghana
Ministry of Lands & Natural Resources
8th PAC Local Organising Committee
8th PAC Local Organising Committee
8th PAC Local Organising Committee
Kinbu Senior High Tech. Sch.
African American Association
African American Association
Presec Osu
ROSALNU-Ghana
Rastafari council
GUNA
Coordination FPI of Ivorian Refugees
Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Regional
Integration
Ghana Institute of Journalism
SUCARDIF
N/A
8th PAC Local Organising Committee
8th PAC Local Organising Committee
8th PAC Local Organising Committee
National Trust
P.P.P
Universal Diasporan Coalition
Trade Unions
All Africa Students Union
AYE Ghana
Invity
Rita Marley Foundation
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
The 8th Pan African Congress, 4-7 March 2015, Accra, Ghana | Theme: The Pan African World We Want
Page | 73
No. Full Name
154. Prof Atukwei Okai
155. Quarshie Awua-Peasah
Gyenyame
156. Rabbi Kohain N. Halevi
157. Raymond Ayilu
158. Rhoda Agyemang
159. Richard Hudson Kofi
Ahamdzie
160. Richmond Abel
161. Rosemary Atiewin Mbillah
162. Samuel Amadu
163. Selassie Ansah
164. Selorm Kofi Dake
165. Seth Klaye
166. Seth S. Q. Abloso
167. Tawiah Evans
168.
169.
170.
171.
172.
173.
174.
175.
176.
177.
178.
179.
180.
181.
182.
183.
184.
185.
Organisation
Country
8th PAC Local Organising Committee
Ghana
Centre for Empowerment & Dignity
Pan African Diaspora Coalition of
Ghana/PANAFEST Foundation
8th PAC Local Organising Committee
Chapter Events
Ghana
CPP/NASPAWA
TWN-Africa Agenda
University of Ghana
8th PAC Local Organising Committee
8th PAC Local Organising Committee
J.V. Dake Company
Seint Foundation
8th PAC Local Organising Committee
The Coalition for Ghana's
Independence Now
Tettevi Eyram Stephen
Youth for Pan-African Advancement
Tornu Fred K. Blonty
Kinbu Senior High Tech. Sch.
Victor Moffatt
The Think Tank Africa Forum (.T.T.A.F)
Yao Graham
TWN-African Agenda
Yaw Nkunim
C.P.P.
Zaya Yeebo
8th PAC Local Organising Committee
Albert Griz Goulou
Ministry Congo Brazaville
Mr.Nasib Dahabieh
Tetra Engineering Works Ltd
Duane Christopher Edwards Guyana Rastafari
Mark Ortez Chatarpal
York University/Environmental Studies
Marlon McPherson
Aluta Continua
Caren Nasimiyu Makinia
Wakoli
Emerging Leaders Foundation
Christine W.Nonnsu
8th PAC Org.Committee
Daisy Doreen Jerop Amdany CRAWN TRUST
Dinah Awour Agai
Bulamawa Society
Edna Kerubo Atambo
Kistrech Theatre
Gacheke Gachihi
Bunge la Mwananihi Social Movement
Hillary Mulialia Okimu
Pan African Peoples Forum
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana/Syria
Guyana
Guyana
Jamaica
Kenya
Kenya
Kenya
Kenya
Kenya
Kenya
Kenya
The 8th Pan African Congress, 4-7 March 2015, Accra, Ghana | Theme: The Pan African World We Want
Page | 74
No. Full Name
186. Irene Kendi
187. Melissa Mbugua
188. Monica Nthiga
189. Ndungu'u Wansiru Ruth
190.
191.
192.
193.
194.
195.
Nebila Abdul Melik
Patrick Mphabo Chinguwo
Stella Adhiambo Agara
Wachira Benedict Wandeto
Wainaina Mwang
Dr. Wangui wa Goro
196.
197.
198.
199.
200.
Zukiswa Wanner
Daudi Were
Njuki Gthethwa
Nicholas N.C. Blidi
Emas Potolani
201.
202.
203.
204.
205.
206.
207.
208.
209.
210.
211.
212.
Patrick Mphatso Chinguwo
Winnie Mwamsamali
Dr. Ojo B. Johnson
Aicha Ghazal
Tatima Daghan
Aremu Abiodun Abiola
Bokar Ture
Catherine Duro
Dabiri Mujibat Abiola
Duru Catherine E.
Ofeimun,Odia
Oladunni Segun E.
213. Osisiegu Enyinnaya
214. Patrick Majekodunmi
Benjamin
215. Suberu Bose Ruth
Organisation
Students Organisation of Nairobi
University (SONU)
Ushahidi/Making All Voices Count
Ushahidi/Making All Voices Count
Pan African Peoples Forum Pan
African movement, Kenya chapter
FEMNET
Centre for Youth Inclusion (CYI.org)
Action AID International
Social Democratic Party of Kenya
N/A
African Literary Translator and
Subtitlers Association [ALTRAS]
Pan-African Movement(PAM)
Ushahidi/Making All Voices Count
Kenya Community Media Network
GRASA -UG
Student Christian Organisation
of Malawi (S.C.O.M)
Build On
A.U.C.
Civil Society Human Right Association
Civil Society Human Right Association
A.C.I.S
The Black Fund Africa
A.C.I.S
Echoes of women in Africa Initiative
Hornbill House of the Arts
Amilcar Cabral Ideological
School (A.C.I.S.)
A.C.I.S
Amilcar Cabral Ideological
School (A.C.I.S.)
Country
Kenya
Kenya
Kenya
Kenya
Kenya
Kenya
Kenya
Kenya
Kenya
Kenya
Kenya
Kenya
Kenya
Liberia
Malawi
Malawi
Malawi
Mali
Morocco
Morocco
Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria
The 8th Pan African Congress, 4-7 March 2015, Accra, Ghana | Theme: The Pan African World We Want
Page | 75
No. Full Name
216. Tominkie Olaniyan
217. Ukamaka Evelyn Olisakwe
218.
219.
220.
221.
222.
223.
224.
225.
226.
Wilson Kelechi Oluoha
Yusha'u Sani Yankuzo
Ndey Jobarteh
Cyrus Munyaburanga
Eyrus Munyaburanga
Jean de Dieu Harerimana
Musowi Protous
Rogers Sengoga
El Hassan Abba
Organisation
Pan-african Development
Education & Advocacy Programme
Piraeus Books/Nolly factory/
Africa Magic
Unitted Action For Democracy
Jobs Consulting
Governance for Africa
Representative of the President
Constitutional Council
227. Mahayub Buyema
Sharawi Republic Ambassador
228. Ahmet Gueye
229. Baxolise Sisoko Dlali
230. Kyala Ritz Shako
Action/2015 Senegal
Masifunde Together
The Southern African Trust &
The Graca Machel Trust
The Southern African Trust &
The Graca Machel Trust
Centre for African Creative Arts
University of Kwazulu Natal
Culture of Development East Africa
Hope Foundation for Social
Entrepreneurship
Youth Le Association-Togo
University of Greenwich
Word Power Publications
Rastafari Council
Kwame Nkrumah Foundation
HSBC Bank
231. Kyala Shako
232. Patience Tiny Mungwe
233. Godfrey Madaraka Nyerere
234. Tumaniel Ibrahim Mangi
235.
236.
237.
238.
239.
240.
241.
242.
Dzahini Kwakutse Elagbe
Adotey Bing Pappoe
Emmanuel Amevor
Maroin Bullock
Victor Nunoo
Fred Essienyi
Kulpeka Mina Yeebo
Yao Adu
Africa for Africans Group
Country
Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria
Norway
Rwanda
Rwanda
Rwanda
Rwanda
Rwanda
Sahrawi Arab
Democratic
Republic Youth
Sahrawi Arab
Democratic
Republic Youth
Senegal
South Africa
South Africa
South Africa
South Africa
Tanzania
Tanzania
Togo
U.K
U.K
U.K
U.K
U.K.
U.K.
U.K.
The 8th Pan African Congress, 4-7 March 2015, Accra, Ghana | Theme: The Pan African World We Want
Page | 76
No. Full Name
243. Zaya Yeebo
244. Ahmed Rajab
245. Christopher Boykin
246.
247.
248.
249.
250.
251.
252.
253.
254.
255.
256.
257.
258.
259.
260.
261.
262.
263.
264.
265.
266.
267.
268.
269.
270.
271.
272.
273.
274.
Curtis V.Murphy
Dr.James Mitchell
Geraldine Morris
Jemima Zoe Sarabo
Jessica Ann Mitchell
Julialynne Walker
Louis McKinney
Nkiruka Yakini
Osakwe Gloi Dwamena
Akpan
Shaakira Edison
Sidney Armond Tarrant
Skem Curry
William Council
Gerald Otim
Kagoya Irene
Maj. Gen (rtd) Kahinda
Otafiire
Musasizi
Nakafu Rose Sylvia
Namala Jackline
Okwiri Rabwoni (MAJ)
Omotominke Olaniyan
Rizzan Nassuna
Titus Kisambira
Tuma Ruth
King C.Asante-Yeboah
Horace Campbell
Humberto Brown Green
Ikaweba Bunting
Sedinam Kinamo Christine
Moyowafisza Curry
Organisation
Country
Local Organising Committee
PAM's International Preparatory
Committee
Central RegionAfrican Adscendants
Associations of Ghana
RTA
CRAAAG
CRAAAG
Cuffty 250
North American 8th PAC
With American 8th PAC
C.R.A.A.A.G
Our Story Journal
U.K.
Universal Diasporan Coalition
Diasporan African Forum
CRAAAG
SCCG
CRAAG
Ensi Buuko
Arina mama wa Afrika
Chairman of the
Pan African Movement
Pan-African Secretariat
PAC Secretariat
Pan-African Movement
PAN African Movement
African Union Commission
Pan-African Secretariat
African Center/Pan-African Network
North American 8th PAC
North American 8th PAC
North American 8th PAC
UK/Tanzania
U.S.A
U.S.A
U.S.A
U.S.A
U.S.A
U.S.A
U.S.A
U.S.A
U.S.A
U.S.A
U.S.A
U.S.A
U.S.A
U.S.A
Uganda
Uganda
Uganda
Uganda
Uganda
Uganda
Uganda
Uganda
Uganda
Uganda
Uganda
Ukraine
U.S.A
U.S.A
U.S.A
U.S.A
The 8th Pan African Congress, 4-7 March 2015, Accra, Ghana | Theme: The Pan African World We Want
Page | 77
Dancers on the opening day
No. Full Name
275.
276.
277.
278.
279.
280.
281.
282.
283.
Lalla Nhbouhe Laklifi
Danmore Chuma
Mteliso Farai
Mungosih,David Sunny
Brian Kagoro
Rumbidzai Dube
Tafadzwa .R.Muropa
Ayeta Anne Wangusa
N/A
284. Safiattou Nyang
Organisation
Country
Human Rights Activist
ZICOSU
Pan African Movement
PAM IPC/GC
Research and Advocacy Unit
Womens Coalition of Zimbabwe
Western Sahara
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Youth of Zimbabwe for
Transparency (YZTP)
Human Right Advocate
Zimbabwe
Gambia
The 8th Pan African Congress, 4-7 March 2015, Accra, Ghana | Theme: The Pan African World We Want
Page | 78
Notes
The 8th Pan African Congress, 4-7 March 2015, Accra, Ghana | Theme: The Pan African World We Want
Page | 79
Notes
The 8th Pan African Congress, 4-7 March 2015, Accra, Ghana | Theme: The Pan African World We Want
Page | 80
Published June 2015
Published by Local Organising Committee (LOC)
Accra, Ghana