By Makiza M. Latifa 28/08/24
President Akuffo-Addo has cut sod for the commencement of the Du Bois museum project which will be a redevelopment of the W.E.B Du Bois Center for Culture and Pan Africanism into a legacy museum complex for Ghana and the world.
The vision is to renew, reimagine, rebuild and, rededicate the Memorial Centre as the W. E. B. Du Bois Museum Complex.
The Government of Ghana and the W.E.B. Du Bois
Museum Foundation (US-Ghana), signed an agreement on September 20, 2021 to authorize the Foundation to redevelop the W.E.B. Dubois Memorial Centre in Accra, which holds the mortal remains of Dr. Du Bois and his widow Shirley Graham Du Bois into an even more vital museum complex to serve Ghana, the Black diaspora, and the world. It will be similar to those of other museums dedicated to preserving the life, times and thoughts of great thinkers and leaders.
According to the Executive Director of the foundation, Japhet Aryiku, the goal is to realize the Du Bois Museum’s full potential as an international treasure and historic memorial honoring one of the leading and most revered black voices in world history.
As a beloved and inspiring figure to African Americans in particular, Du Bois’ final resting place in the context of a renovated state-of-the art museum and memorial, will become an anchor for the African Diaspora. Black Americans interested in making the journey to Ghana to connect to their cultural and ancestral roots on the continent will start or end their travels at the Musem Complex.
US ambassador to Ghana, Virginia Palmer who also spoke at the event extolled Du Bois as a remarkable Pan-Africanist who fought against racial discrimination, imperialism, injustice and, exploitation.
Giving his remarks as key-note speaker for the wreath-laying ceremony in honour of Du Bois, President Akufo-Addo revealed that he remains committed to preserving the legacy of the man who dedicated his life to fighting for the rights, freedom, justice and, unity of the Black race.
“The decision to renovate the Du Bois bungalow is more than a mere construction project, it is a commitment to preserving the legacy of a man who surrendered his life to the pursuit of justice, equality, freedom and unification of the African people and serves as a symbol of the deep bond between Dr. Du Bois and Ghana” President Akufo-Addo intimated.
W.E.B. Du Bois was an American sociologist, historian, author, editor, and activist who was the most important Black protest leader in the United States during the first half of the 20th century. He believed strongly that capitalism was a primary cause of racism and was sympathetic to socialist causes. The father, son and spirit of the global Pan African movement, Dr. Du Bois passed on in Accra on August 27, 1963.