The 17th edition of the Pan-African Festival (PANAFEST) seminar echoed powerfully through the halls of Tamale as the University for Development Studies (UDS) took center stage, with one of its distinguished voices, Professor Felix Y.T. Longi, a Senior Research Fellow at the Institute for Interdisciplinary Research and Consultancy Services, delivering a compelling call for reparative justice for Africans and their descendants across the globe.

Held under the theme “Let us Speak of Reparations: Pan-Africanist Artistic Activism”, and titled “Narratives of Resistance to Slavery in Northern Ghana”, the seminar drew academics, students, diaspora communities, and cultural stakeholders from far and near. But it was Prof. Longi’s passionate and research-driven narrative that struck the heart of the event.

“Reparations are not just about financial compensation,” Prof. Longi emphasized. “They are about restoring dignity, addressing historical wrongs, and building a fairer society that acknowledges the enduring trauma caused by slavery and colonialism.”

According to the UDS scholar, recognizing the pain of the past is a moral imperative that modern societies can no longer ignore. He argued that reparations are a form of justice, an acknowledgment of harm and an investment in healing and reconciliation.

Prof. Longi’s remarks come at a time when the global discourse on slavery and its lingering effects has gained renewed urgency. Drawing on Northern Ghana’s rich yet underexplored history of resistance to slavery, he called for a re-examination of local narratives that showcase the resilience and agency of communities often overlooked in mainstream history.

Also addressing the seminar was Ekow Sampson, Deputy CEO in charge of Operations at the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), who echoed Prof. Longi’s sentiments. He highlighted how stories of resistance in Northern Ghana, such as those from Nalerigu, Mamprugu, and Dagbon are vital national treasures that deserve prominent placement alongside coastal slave forts in the country’s historical landscape.

“These are not just stories of survival. They are testaments of defiance, strength, and identity,” Mr. Sampson said. “And they must be told with pride.”

Mr. Sampson reaffirmed the GTA’s commitment to supporting initiatives like PANAFEST and Emancipation Day, noting that the Authority is actively working to develop resistance heritage sites across Northern Ghana as a way to enrich cultural tourism and reconnect with the African diaspora.

“We invite chiefs, scholars, youth, and diaspora communities to partner in preserving these legacies. Together, we can transform memory into a force for unity, growth, and justice,” he added.

The seminar underscored the University for Development Studies’ growing role as a thought leader and research powerhouse in historical and cultural discourse in Ghana and beyond. Through voices like Prof. Felix Y.T. Longi, UDS is not just preserving the past, it is shaping a future built on truth, justice, and shared heritage.

Story by
Abdul Hayi Moomen
(UDS Media)