Nkoranza (B/A) March 7, GNA - Okatakyie Agyemang Kudom IV, President of Brong-Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs has commended past leaders of the nation for their toils and efforts in helping to stop the obnoxious slavery of blacks and saving the country from colonial rule. Okatakyie Agyeman-Kudom, who is Omanhene of Nkoranza Traditional Area was speaking at the celebration of Black History Month and thanksgiving service at Saint Barnabas Anglican Church at Nkoranza at the weekend.

This year's celebration, which was in memory of some selected black freedom fighters, was organised by the Centre for African Art and Civilization, an NGO with support from Nkoranza and Techiman Traditional Councils, as well as Nkoranza District and Techiman Municipal Assemblies.

They included Dr. Martin Luther King Junior, Marcus Mosiah Garvey and Malcolm X, who fought against slavery in the United States of America.

Others were Mr. W. E. B. Du Bois, Mr. George Padmore, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Dr. Kofi Abrefa Busia, Dr. J.B. Danquah and Nii Kwabena Boney, who also ensured that the Gold Coast gained her freedom from British rule.

The celebration and thanks giving service were in memory of Dr. of Nkoranza and an archaeologist who built the history surrounding the slave trade in Bono-Manso, near Nkoranza, leading to the establishment of the area as a tourist centre as an old slave market area. Okatakyie Agyeman-Kudom appreciated the efforts of Dr. Effah-Gyamfi in helping to build an important history and called on the youth and students in the areas to emulate the late heroes.

The programme attracted some citizens from Osu Alata, a suburb of Accra, under the leadership of the Gyaasetse, Nii Kwashie Aniefi IV as history has it that the people of Osu-Alata migrated from some parts of Techiman and Nkoranza.

Nii Aniefi expressed regret about how slavery moved them from their ancestral homes to Osu but gave assurance that they would regularly visit the area to support the development of Nkoranza and Techiman. He expressed gratitude to the Omanhene and citizens of Nkoranza for the warm welcome accorded the delegation.

Madam Felicia Obuobi, Executive Director of African Art and Civilization disclosed that this year's Emancipation Day Celebration programme would be dedicated to the honour of the nation's past heroes. She said a monument would be erected at Nkoranza in memory of the late Dr. Effah-Gyamfi to inspire the youth to learn and emulate him. Venerable Peter Kwadwo Sakyi, Minister in-charge of the Nkoranza Anglican Church in a sermon called on Ghanaians to render selfless services towards national development.

He appealed to state leaders to eschew greed, selfishness, lies and cheating and rather to serve the people than to be served.