October 12, 2006:

The Panafest Foundation recently announced that it has retained North American firm, eXL Marketing Group, a spin-off from 100 Degreez, as the sole international agent for Panafest 2007. eXL will oversee all global marketing, sponsorship, and other publicity-related tasks for the landmark event.

PANAFEST is an all-encompassing cultural and traditional festival held every two years in the West African country of Ghana to promote the ideals of Pan-Africanism, and the overall enhancement of the African continent. Panafest 2007 takes on added importance for two separate reasons. First of all, the celebration coincides with the 50th Anniversary of Ghana’s independence, the first African country to gain liberation from colonial rule. Secondly, 2007 also marks 200 years since legislation was passed by Western powers to abolish the Transatlantic Slave Trade.

The official themes for Panafest 2007 are: “50 Years of Independence: Pan Africanism Revisited,” and “Reuniting the African Family.” The celebration takes place from July 22nd to August 1st, 2007, and will consist of visits to historical slavery sites, poignant memorial ceremonies, royal rites featuring chiefs and elders, and diverse musical concerts. These activities will be staged all over the country allowing visitors a unique chance to become intimate with the beautiful people and breathtaking sceneries of Ghana. A particular event that particularly resonates with attendees of previous Panafest celebrations is the “Return Journey / Akwaaba Ceremony.” For this touching sequence, participants embark on a ship from Cape Coast castle on the southern coast of Ghana, and make the trip westwards to nearby Elmina Castle - both locations were used as dungeons and transit points during the slave trade. The solemn ritual is concluded with a joyous disembarking on the Elmina shores that once served as the “Door of No Return” for African ancestors being sent away on slave ships. In this moving re-enactment, these same hallowed shores gloriously become the “Door of Return,” and a reclamation point for black identity and renewed self-pride. People who have participated in this “Return Journey” have described it as a beautiful, transcendental and cleansing experience.

In addition, since Panafest 2007 coincides with the aforementioned monumental milestones, its been rumored that several worldwide luminaries like Nelson Mandela, Oprah Winfrey, and UN Secretary General Kofi Annan will be in attendance. Also, with a host of Hip-Hop and World music stars slated to perform, Panafest ’07 is sure to be an event for the ages.

As earlier stated, it’s been 200 years since the first legislation was enacted to abolish the Transatlantic Slave Trade. Throughout this travesty, over 15 million African men and women were shackled, and transported to farmlands across Europe & the Americas. During the treacherous middle passage, slaves were kept in absolute squalor and faced all manner of deadly diseases – as a result of these conditions, more than 5 million slaves died in transit. Africa is still reeling from the effects of this brutal scourge, and millions of black brothers and sisters have been forever disillusioned in the diaspora. In addition, the continent is still plagued by persistent problems like civil wars, poverty, illiteracy, and corruption. It is time for Africa’s sons and daughters everywhere to unite, abate this endless cycle of suffering, and take their thrones as the noble Kings and Queens they rightfully are. This coming together of Africans everywhere is a primary endeavor of the Panafest organization.

eXL Marketing Group is a full service marketing company that specializes in high-profile product placement, branding, production of festivals & fashion shows, and concert promotions. In an interview with the company’s CEO, he expressed his commitment to “advancing the exemplary, international reputation of the Panafest brand, and ensuring the success of the 2007 biennial.” The eXL chief executive also expressed his utmost, heartfelt pride for “being personally involved with a major milestone like Ghana’s 50th Independence Anniversary.”

This new partnership between the Panafest Foundation and eXL Marketing Group will continue to further the mission of unity between all individuals in Africa and the African Diaspora