Memorial service for Mandela in Accra
A memorial service was held Wednesday at the W.E.B. Du Bois Memorial Centre for Pan African Culture in Accra to honour the memories of the late former South African President, Nelson Mandela.
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The service was organised by the African Union’s (AU) Diaspora African Forum Mission, South African High Commission in Accra and the Rita Marley Foundation.
The service saw the reading of tributes, video clips of the life of Nelson Mandela, cultural performances by the Nana Perbi and Henokami Cultural troupes, a musical performance by Brenda Joyce and Queen Asabea, among others.
Some of the dignitaries who attended the ceremony were Ambassador Lorenzo Dore, Knight of Malta; Professor Atukwei Okai, a poet; the La Mantse, Nii Tetteh Kpobi Tsuru II; Imam Faisal Abubakar, Ambassador Erieka Bennet,Founder of the AU Diaspora African Forum Mission, and Madam Samia Nkrumah.
The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Kwesi Quartey, reading a tribute on behalf of the government and people of Ghana, appealed to all leaders to emulate the example of the late president by using political power to convince their people to believe in and uphold their causes.
The Director of the Dubois Memorial Centre, B.S.K Keelson, in his welcome address, noted that the latter years of the late president were a period of selfless devotion and dedication to the fight for the freedom of the Black majority in South Africa, justice for all people and, ultimately, peace and harmony.
The Executive Secretary of the PANAFEST Foundation, Rabbi Kohain, said the world had had an outstanding opportunity of witnessing the rare resilience of an African personality.
Also speaking at the service, Dr Kofi Amoah, a business executive, said the late president, who was a such an uncommon and wonderful person, imparted practical knowledge to many African leaders in all fields.
The Dean of the African Diplomatic Corps and Zimbabwean High Commissioner in Accra, Mrs Pavelyn Tenclai, noted that Mandela was a revolutionary leader and his legacy for the good of humanity would continue to inspire the whole world.
The South African High Commissioner, Madam Jeanette Ndhlovu, said though Africa had lost a great leader, Africa must be spurred on to work hard for the realisation of his (Mandela) dream for equality, human rights for all races, children and women and the abolishment of sexism in all its forms.
''We must dedicate our time to the cause of humanity, help the disabled and be human-centred in our quest to develop, a dream nurtured by Nelson Mandela," she said.