Accra (Greater Accra) 12 March '99

The deputy Minister of Tourism, Owuraku Amofa on Thursday said Africans must let their children know the crimes of slavery and colonialism in order to keep the continent's quest for justice burning. He said there is no room for complacency, especially, in the present state of the world where greed, which fuelled the heinous crimes, abound and the perpetrators keep inventing new ways to subdue Africa. Owuraku Amofa was launching the Africa Family Re-Union Jam Benefit Concert '99 (AFREJABEC '99) in Accra. AFREJABEC '99, which to be hosted in Accra in May 21 to 25, is under the theme, "Music for development". It will be organised by Prodigy International, a Ghanaian non-profit making cultural and Pan-African organisation. He said it is through such efforts that Africa can succeed in making the West pay reparations, repatriate stolen artifacts and "restore to the African his lost dignity". He contended that if Jews have been compensated for the six million lives they lost in the second world war, it stands to reason that Africa's claim for reparation for the loss of tens of millions of lives and resources is genuine. The deputy minister called on Africans on the continent and in the diaspora to unite in the struggle to reclaim their lost heritage and dignity. Ras Caleb Appiah-Levi, the brain behind the concert, said it is in connection with the celebrations commemorating the 36th Anniversary of the formation of the Organisation of Africa Unity (OAU). He said AFREJABEC is a cultural and economic event designed to showcase Africa and Africans in the Diaspora with the view to attracting positive attention between Africans and the International community. Over 31 cultural divine performers of African rhythms have confirmed their willingness to perform in the concert, They include Alpha Blondy of Cote d'Ivoire, and Babacar Diallo of Senegal, Pozo Hayes, Felix Bell, Alhaji Sidiku Buari all from Ghana, Morgan Heritage Family of Jamaica and Jimi Hope of Togo.