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W.E.B. Du Bois Museum Foundation Commemorates 40th Anniversary of Historic Du Bois Centre’s Dedication
The W.E.B. Du Bois Museum Foundation, in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture and the J.J. Rawlings Foundation, marked a momentous occasion with the 40th Anniversary celebration of the W.E.B. Du Bois Memorial Centre for Pan-African Culture. 
The commemorative event drew dignitaries, diplomats, cultural leaders, scholars, and members of the Pan-African community from around the world to honour the enduring legacy of Dr. W.E.B. Du Bois.
This year’s anniversary held added significance, coinciding with the birthday of H.E. J.J. Rawlings, the late former President of Ghana under whose visionary leadership the Centre was originally commissioned in 1985.
His foundational role in establishing the Du Bois Centre was remembered with deep reverence throughout the day’s activities.
The celebration began with a warm welcome delivered by Dr. Kofi Boateng, Chief Financial Officer of the W.E.B. Du Bois Museum Foundation, who read the welcome address on behalf of Mr. Daniel Rose, Chairman of the Foundation’s Board.
His remarks set the tone for the day, reaffirming the Foundation’s commitment to preserving and expanding Dr. Du Bois’s legacy for generations to come.
The programme continued with a powerful keynote by Yaa Asantewaa Agyeman-Rawlings, daughter of the late President Jerry John Rawlings, who commissioned the Centre on June 22, 1985—his 38th birthday.
In her address, she paid a stirring tribute to both Dr. W.E.B. Du Bois and her father’s Pan-African vision.
She reflected on Ghana’s place in the global Black freedom struggle, recalling how figures like Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr., and Muhammad Ali found inspiration in Ghana during its post-independence years.
Her tribute honoured the Du Bois Centre as both a monument of memory and a rallying point for Pan-African engagement.
One of the most anticipated moments was the official public introduction of Jeffrey Alan Peck, great-grandson of Dr. Du Bois and a Board Member of the Foundation.
Peck spoke passionately about his family’s connection to Ghana and expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Rawlings and Nkrumah families, as well as the people of Ghana, for honouring his great-grandfather’s legacy.
In his address, Mr. Japhet Aryiku, Executive Director of the W.E.B. Du Bois Museum Foundation, acknowledged the millions of dollars already invested into the Centre’s restoration—thanks to the generosity of the Foundation’s Board members.
He announced that a global fundraising initiative will soon be launched to support the next phase of development.Mr. Aryiku also made a public appeal for the recovery of authentic Du Bois belongings:
“We are actively searching for original furniture, personal items, and archival materials once owned by Dr. Du Bois and Shirley Graham Du Bois during their time in Ghana. If you know the whereabouts of any such items, we invite you to join us in restoring the Du Boises’ home with authenticity and dignity.”
The event brought together past directors and thought leaders who reflected on the Centre’s founding purpose and its evolving role in Pan-African scholarship and cultural preservation. It featured speakers including, Prof. Anne V. Adams, Professor Emerita, Cornell University and former Director of the Centre,Senator Conmany B. Wesseh, Liberian statesman and former Director of the Centre,
Dr. Sekou Nkrumah, son of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and former Executive Director of the Centre, Dr. William N.T. Evans-Anfom, renowned physician, statesman, and architect of the Du Bois tomb, Maame Efua Honadjeto, CEO of the Ghana Tourism Authority, representing the Minister of Tourism.
Their remarks offered reflections on the Centre’s original vision and aspirations for its continued relevance in Pan-African and global Black thought.
A moving tribute was paid to President Jerry John Rawlings for his instrumental role in commissioning the Centre 40 years ago. In recognition of his contributions, a special birthday celebration and cake-cutting ceremony was held in his honour, marking not just a personal milestone but a national legacy deeply intertwined with the history of the Centre.
Guests were treated to a preview of an exclusive exhibition showcasing rare materials from the lives of Dr. Du Bois and Shirley Graham Du Bois during their years in Ghana. From personal letters to never-before-seen photographs and political artifacts, the exhibition offered an intimate look into the couple’s final chapter on the African continent.
The celebration was further enriched by the presence of several high-profile dignitaries and diplomats, including:Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, Former First Lady of Ghana, Hiroshi Yoshimoto, Ambassador of Japan to Ghana, Kyrre Holm, Deputy Head of Mission, Royal Norwegian Embassy, Jonathan Wiesner, Deputy Executive Director, Helping Africa Foundation, Fritz Baffour, former Minister of Information and Foundation Board Member; Madam Maame Efua Honadjeto, CEO, Ghana Tourism Authority.
Their participation underscored the global reach and influence of Dr. Du Bois’s legacy.
About the W.E.B. Du Bois Museum Foundation
The W.E.B. Du Bois Museum Foundation has been entrusted by the Government of Ghana to manage and oversee the operations of the Du Bois Memorial Centre for Pan-African Culture.
Its vision is to promote and preserve the legacy of Dr. W.E.B. Du Bois and Shirley Graham Du Bois while building bridges between Africa and the global Black diaspora.
Its mission is to transform the Centre into a world-class museum complex and research institute, offering a vibrant space for scholarship, cultural exchange, and historical memory.
Through strategic partnerships, restoration projects, and bold cultural diplomacy, the Foundation is ensuring that the vision and ideals of Dr. Du Bois continue to educate, inspire, and connect generations worldwide.
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220 former MMDCEs declare support for Bawumia’s 2028 candidacy
A coalition of 220 former Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) who served under the New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration from 2017 to 2024 has declared full support for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia as the party’s flagbearer for the 2028 general elections.
At a press conference held at the Alisa Hotel in Accra on Monday, June 23, the group, known as the Forum of Former MMDCEs for Dr. Bawumia, announced their “strong, unshaken endorsement” of the former Vice President. Their backing comes ahead of the party’s internal elections slated for January 31, 2026.
The forum described its support as more than symbolic, stressing that it is a practical commitment of time, resources, and political effort to help secure Dr. Bawumia’s candidacy and eventual victory.
According to the group, after extensive consultations with all aspirants and a thorough assessment of their competence and vision, they were convinced that Dr. Bawumia stood out as the most suitable leader for both the party and the country.
“Our endorsement is not merely symbolic; it is a strategic and operational commitment. With 95% of us having previously served as Constituency and Regional Executives—some for over 16 years—we possess an intimate understanding of the NPP’s structures, dynamics, and electoral needs. We will deploy this experience to ensure Dr. Bawumia’s message resonates in every corner of Ghana,” they said.
They praised Dr. Bawumia for his proven record in public service, especially his leadership in Ghana’s digital transformation, including the rollout of the Ghana Card, mobile money interoperability, and the paperless ports system. These, they said, had improved efficiency and formalised key sectors of the economy.
The forum also commended Dr. Bawumia’s inclusive leadership style, describing him as accessible, humble, and a unifier who engages with all factions of the party. His popularity with the grassroots, youth, and floating voters, they noted, gives the NPP a competitive advantage heading into the next national elections.
They argued that Dr. Bawumia’s national appeal and widespread recognition—established during the 2024 campaign—make him the party’s strongest bet for the presidency in 2028.
According to them, the electoral data suggests that beginning the campaign with a known candidate like Dr. Bawumia offers the NPP a significant head start, unlike the risk of fielding a new candidate with no established base.
The former MMDCEs said they view Dr. Bawumia as a leader who balances continuity and innovation, capable of upholding Ghana’s development gains while introducing new ideas for national progress.
They further pledged to mobilise their grassroots networks across all 16 regions of the country to support his campaign.
Source: Citinewsroom.com
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CLCD engages Gender Ministry on Child Rights Protection
In a move to deepen collaboration in child protection, the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, engaged with a delegation from the Centre for Learning and Childhood Development (CLCD).
The meeting focused on areas of mutual interest and explored opportunities for partnership.
The Minister expressed her appreciation to CLCD for their unwavering dedication to childhood development and learning outcomes, especially for vulnerable children.
She acknowledged the significance of CLCD’s work in supporting early childhood development (ECD), child rights, and inclusion.
Discussions centred on potential areas of collaboration, including: technical support for policy implementation, data collection on children with developmental delays, and the roll-out of inclusive learning interventions.
The CLCD delegation highlighted its strengths in training, research, and advocacy for inclusive education and early childhood development, and expressed its readiness to support the Ministry in strategic initiatives aimed at safeguarding children’s rights.
The Minister underscored the Ministry’s commitment to building strategic partnerships with organisations such as CLCD, which bring both expertise and field-level experience, to enhance efforts in promoting child welfare.
Such collaborations, she believes, are essential for prioritising the finalisation and implementation of Ghana’s Child and Family Welfare Policy, as well as the Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) Policy.
