Reflections, a reverential event to commemorate the two hundredth anniversary of the Abolition of Slave Trade Act in the UK, will be held at the Elmina Castle on 25 March 2007.

The event aims to explore the relationship between the UK and Africa over the past 200 years and look forward to more positive relationships to be engendered in the future.

To commemorate the bicentary, a number of renowned artistes from African, UK and the Diaspora will be exploring the journey from their own perspectives in a shared and creative environment.

Poets participating in the event include Linton Kwesi Johnson and Professor Anyidoho, Other music and dance performances include Hugh Masakela, Agya Koo Nimo, Youssou Ndour, Obour, London Community Gospel Choir, Winneba Youth Choir, Amandzeba, Ghana National Dance Company, Wulomei, Merigar Salifu Abubakar, Zena Edwards, Wali Cham, renowned Ghananian actress, Akofa Edjeani among others.

Guests of Honour for the occasion are His Excellency John Agyekum Kufuor, President of the Republic of Ghana, and Baroness Amos, Leader of the House of Lords and Lord President of the Privy Council.

Invited participants include chiefs, community members, government officials and members of the diplomatic community in Ghana.

The event is organized by British Council in collaboration with the National Planning Committee, with the support of Edina Traditional Council, Regional and District Coordinating Councils, Ministry of Culture and Chieftaincy and other stakeholders. It is to be broadcasted to local and international audiences.

Moses Anibaba, Director of British Council in Ghana says, ‘We trust that through Reflections positive energies will be released to break the shackles of history and generate fresh ideas for the future of Africa–UK relations.’

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For more information please contact Juliet Amoah, 233 21 244 253350, juliet.amoah@gh.britishcouncil.org or Diana Yanney, 233 244 383903, diana.yanney@gh.britishcouncil.org at British Council Accra, tel. 233 21 683068 and fax. 233 21 683062.

Note to Editors

Reflections is part of Africa 2007, a three-year programme designed and managed by the British Council. The programme explores culture and identity to generate fresh ideas and create new understanding between individuals and communities in Africa and the UK.

Africa 2007 has three themes: Different Lives, Creative Celebrations and Footprints. Each theme has a number of projects that bring people together from Africa and the UK in new ways to generate fresh ideas and understandings, building sustainable partnerships that challenge old opinions of the relationship between Africa and the UK.

Information about the British Council It is the UK’s international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations. We operate in 220 towns and cities in 110 countries worldwide. We build relationships and understanding between people in the UK and other countries and increase appreciation of the UK’s ideas and achievements overseas. The areas we focus on are creativity, education and civil society. We are a non-political organisation which operates at arm’s length from government.