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W.E.B. Du Bois Museum Foundation Marks 157 Years of the Du Bois Legacy
On February 23, 2025, the W.E.B. Du Bois Museum Foundation, in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, Culture & Creative Arts, hosted a commemorative event marking the 157th anniversary of the birth of Dr. W.E.B. Du Bois.
The ceremony, held at the W.E.B. Du Bois Memorial Centre for Pan-African Culture in Cantonments, Accra, Ghana, featured reflections on his life and work, along with a solemn wreath-laying ceremony to honour his enduring contributions to Pan-Africanism, racial equity, and social justice.
The programme commenced with the arrival of the delegation led by Nana Oye Bampoe Addo, Deputy Chief of Staff, who represented the President of the Republic, H.E. John Dramani Mahama.
The event opened with an invocation, followed by the Ghanaian National Anthem, setting the tone for an afternoon of insightful discussions and tributes.
The Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie emphasised Ghana’s privilege and responsibility as custodians of the remains of great Pan-African figures like W.E.B. Du Bois.
She highlighted the Du Bois Center as a key cultural and historical site under her ministry, reaffirming the government’s commitment to preserving and promoting Pan-Africanism.
The minister acknowledged the alignment of this initiative with the National Democratic Congress (NDC) manifesto and her personal dedication to ensuring its success.
Expressing gratitude to all who have contributed intellectually, financially, and through advocacy, she noted the recent World Bank-funded renovation of the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park as an example of ongoing efforts to enhance Ghana’s cultural heritage.
She welcomed the financial commitments made toward the Du Bois Center’s restoration and pledged to review previous plans to advance the project.
The Minister further emphasised the importance of the Black Star Experience, a flagship programme championed by her ministry, and called for collective support, prayers, and goodwill in fulfilling these goals.
In a moment of cultural reverence, she invited the audience to stand and applaud in honour of W.E.B. Du Bois on his 157th birthday, underscoring the significance of his legacy in shaping Ghana’s creative and cultural landscape.
Japhet Aryiku, the Executive Director of the W.E.B. Du Bois Museum Foundation, extended a warm welcome to all in attendance to all in attendance and clarified that the Government of Ghana had neither sold nor leased the Du Bois Centre land to the foundation.
He revealed that instead, the foundation has committed to raising millions of dollars to develop the facility for the benefit of the Ghanaian people.
He emphasised that under the agreement, the foundation is dedicated to restoring and renovating Dr. Du Bois’ iconic bungalow, with full funding already secured.
Mr.Aryiku further announced plans to construct a new memorial to house Du Bois’ remains, alongside a space for reflection and meditation, featuring an eternal flame. Additionally, a state-of-the-art museum will be established to honor the life and work of Dr. Du Bois and Shirley Graham Du Bois.
Given Du Bois’ extensive global contributions over his 95-year life, Aryiku acknowledged the monumental nature of the project but reaffirmed the foundation’s determination to accomplish it.
He also highlighted the critical need to preserve Du Bois’ extensive collection of books and papers, which are deteriorating due to Ghana’s humid climate.
To address this, the foundation has partnered with the Library of Congress under a four-year agreement to provide technical support for restoration and conservation efforts.
Mr.Aryiku expressed excitement about the upcoming construction of a world-class research library that will house these invaluable works, making them accessible to scholars and the general public.
Representatives from the W.E.B. Du Bois Museum Foundation, the Du Bois family, the Government of the United States, and the Government of Ghana placed wreaths in his memory, accompanied by music that underscored the moment’s significance.
This was followed by remarks from Mr. Daniel Rose, Chairman of the W.E.B. Du Bois Museum Foundation, delivered by Dr. Deborah Rose.A distinguished panel shared reflections on the remarkable life and work of Dr. Du Bois.
Among the speakers were Odell Murry, Custodian of the Du Bois Legacy, Dr. Preston King, an American academic and civil rights activist, Dr. Whitney Battle-Baptiste, Director of the W.E.B. Du Bois Center at UMass Amherst, Prof. Alhassan S. Anamzoya, Head of Sociology at the University of Ghana, Ramsey Ryan, Chief of Staff at the Library of Congress, and Jeffrey Peck, great-grandson of Dr. Du Bois. Each speaker shared powerful insights into Du Bois’ impact on civil rights, scholarship, and global Pan-African movements.
The event was also graced by the presence of several dignitaries and very important figures, including Hon. Nana Oye Bampoe Addo, Deputy Chief of Staff, Hon. Abla Dzifa Gomashie, Minister for Tourism, Culture, and Creative Arts, Hon. Samia Yaba Nkrumah, H.E. Irchad Razaaly, European Union Ambassador to Ghana whose support and participation further emphasized the significance of this gathering.
The W.E.B. Du Bois Museum Foundation remains committed to preserving Du Bois’ legacy and fostering education on Pan-Africanism and social justice. The gathering served as a powerful reminder of his lasting influence and the ongoing efforts to honor his contributions to global history.
The mission of the W.E.B. Du Bois Museum Foundation is to honor the life of W.E.B. Du Bois and Shirley Graham Du Bois by transforming the W.E.B. Du Bois Center for Pan African Culture into a world-class museum complex, promoting a deeper understanding of African and African American history, and fostering global dialogue on racial equity, justice, and cultural heritage.
At the heart of its vision, the W.E.B. Du Bois Museum Foundation seeks to promote the study and appreciation of African and African-American heritage, history, and culture.
Through exhibitions, research, and educational initiatives, the foundation strives to inspire new generations to embrace and continue Du Bois’ vision of justice, equality, and intellectual empowerment. With a steadfast commitment to preserving historical narratives, the foundation works to ensure that Du Bois’ teachings and philosophy remain relevant in today’s society.
Women in Sustainability Africa (WiSA) successfully holds the African Women’s Health and Wealth Conference (AWoHW) with a call for research and investment into women’s healthcare.
It also called for robust financial systems and encouraged women to generate wealth as well as prioritise their health.
The conference held at the Shippers House in Accra on Thursday, March 5, 2026, was on the theme, “Championing Inclusive healthcare and finance systems for African women and girls.”
Speaking on behalf of Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, the Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Sabia Kpekata, Programme Officer at the Ministry, said, Financial inclusion remains one of the most critical pathways to women’s empowerment and achieving sustainable development.
According to the minister, it is for this reason that the government continues to support initiatives that expand access to affordable credit, strengthen women-led enterprises and build financial literacy.
“Institutions such as MASLOC, the Women’s Development Bank and other targeted financing mechanisms play a critical role in closing the financial inclusion gap,” she added.
Against this backdrop, she stated that the passage of the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act, 2024 (Act 1121), further strengthens this agenda. By mandating progressive representation of women in decision-making spaces across public and private sectors, the Act ensures that women are not only beneficiaries of financial and healthcare systems, but architects of those systems.
“Women must sit at the policy table where budgets are approved, health priorities are set, and economic policies are designed. This is why the Ministry calls on all stakeholders to push for the effective implementation of the Affirmative Act,” she stated.
Furthermore, she noted that the conference called on everyone to move inclusion from talk to action, incorporating it in budgets, laws, health systems and corporate policies.
She added that the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection is committed to partnering with stakeholders to build inclusive healthcare and financial systems that serve every woman and girl, regardless of location, income, or social status.
“Let us strive to build a Ghana where opportunity is not determined by gender and where systems are designed to uplift, protect and empower,’ she noted.
Addressing the gathering, the Deputy Chief of Staff, Nana Oye Bampoe Addo, said many women suffer from mental health issues as a result of health financing, adding that this is why President Mahama has initiated the Accra Reset to tackle issues relating to women.
Additionally, she commended the Ghana Enterprises Agency for consistently promoting women entrepreneurs.
Nana Oye Bampoe further touched on some government initiatives targeted at women, adding that the government is intentional about women’s empowerment.
On his part, the convener, Nana Yaa Serwaa Sarpong, said, “Today is not just a conference – It is a declaration. It is a declaration that African women and girls will no longer stand at the margins of systems that determine their health, their wealth, and their future.”
According to her, it is a declaration that sustainability is not a slogan for them, rather, it is a strategy, a commitment and a promise.
She said the greatest resource any organisation, community, nation or continent has is its human resources, adding that the continent’s economic prosperity depends on the quality, productivity and capacity of its labour force, including men, women and young people.
The convener noted that where both genders have equal opportunities and operate at near optimal levels, there will be greater economic Expansion and output for the prosperity of all Africans
Additionally, she stated that to drive inclusive economic growth, reduce poverty, amongst others, there is a need for an intentional and clear alignment to economic and social dynamics in specific contexts.
“This will in turn positively impact the involvement and contributions to drive the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the overall economic prosperity of Africa,” she added.
She further stated that as 2030 approaches, WISA which officially launched on May 1, 2025 in Partnership with the UN Global Compact on behalf of all Women of Africa and of African Descent, will mark a new beginning to accelerate growth towards the closure of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) gaps, by being deliberate to center women at the heart of implementation and compliance.
The Chief Executive Officer of GoldBod Jewellery, Getrude Emefa Donkor, said, Saving alone cannot make one financially sound, adding that investing and having other sources of income is the best way to go.
She also provided some tips for women, calling for discipline in spending, and consistency in saving behaviour, as well as inculcating the habit of budgeting.
WiSA is a Coordinating Pan-African Organization that works with other CSOs, NGOs, Corporate Institutions, local and International Development Organizations and individuals to bring all women, men, young people and women groups together (especially those at the grassroots level) to foster the achievement of the SDGs across Africa.
WiSA stands for the development of new perspectives and catalytic ideas towards accelerating growth for the achievement of the SDGs, including closing the Gender Inequality gap.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
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Promoting Gender Equity In Governance: Felicia Adjei highlights importance of proportional representation
The Member of Parliament for Kintampo South, Felicia Adjei, has made a statement in Parliament on the importance of proportional representation in promoting gender equity in governance.
Speaking in parliament yesterday, she noted that the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act, 2024 (Act 1121) was a bold step toward encouraging women’s participation, but laws alone cannot guarantee fairness if the electoral system does not support inclusion.
She explained that proportional representation, particularly through Gender-Balance or “zebra” lists where parties alternate between male and female candidates, could help ensure equal opportunities for women in leadership.
The Kintampo MP was of the view that such a system promotes fairness by design rather than leaving representation to chance.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
