This year’s Panafest and Emancipation Day celebration will take place from Thursday, July 17 to Saturday, August 2, 2025, under the theme:
“Let Us Speak of Reparative Justice – Pan-African Artistic Activism.”
Organised under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture and the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), the event will unfold across multiple regions and sacred heritage sites in Ghana. It is expected to unite Africans and the diaspora in a shared journey of remembrance, reconnection, and renewal.
According to a press release signed by Bright Asempa Tsadidey, Head of Corporate Affairs at GTA, the celebration will begin with the Slave Route Pilgrimage, covering historic locations such as Pikworo, Paga, Salaga, Tamale, Bono Manso, and Assin Praso. Ceremonies of atonement will also be held in Salaga, highlighting the region’s role in the history of slavery.
From the emotional healing rituals in Salaga and Assin Praso to deeply spiritual experiences at Elmina and Cape Coast Castles, Panafest 2025 will champion unity, healing, and Pan-African solidarity.
Over the two-week period, the programme will feature:
- Cultural exhibitions
- Academic colloquia
- Wellness sessions
- Spiritual and traditional rituals
- Performances that celebrate African creativity and resilience
At the official launch held on June 23, Minister Abla Dzifa Gomashie encouraged the youth to reconnect with Africa’s cultural roots. She also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to reparative justice, including material restitution and institutional reform.
Since its inception in 1992, Panafest has evolved into a globally recognised platform for confronting the legacies of the Trans-Atlantic slave trade, honouring African ancestors, and fostering Pan-African unity and cultural pride.