Mr Emmanuel Frimpong, a Tourism Consultant and Analyst, has urged African countries to move beyond commemorating Pan-African heroes and translate their ideals into practical action. He made the call in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Accra, following the 2026 memorial lectures organised by the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum. The lectures featured Prof. P.L.O. Lumumba, Lawyer Dr Yaw Anokye Frimpong, and Mr Fiifi Fiavi Kwetey.
Mr Frimpong emphasised that while commemorating Pan-Africanists was important for preserving Africa's history, the true value of their legacy lay in applying the principles for which they lived. He questioned whether Africa had done enough to advance economic integration, strengthen research and knowledge institutions, and build organisations capable of advancing African interests in the contemporary global environment.
Mr Frimpong cited the example of Africa's continued export of raw materials and import of finished products made from those resources, describing the situation as an indication of the continent's need to reorganise its political, economic, intellectual, and cultural resources. He mentioned cocoa and chocolate, minerals and manufactured products as examples of the imbalance. Africa also possesses significant agricultural, cultural, and natural tourism assets.
On Pan-Africanism, Mr Frimpong said it must go beyond the slogan of African unity to facilitate intra-African trade, movement, transportation, financial cooperation, education, tourism, and entrepreneurship. He called for stronger African airlines, financial institutions, universities, and businesses capable of operating across national borders. Mr Frimpong argued that Pan-Africanism must move from the conference hall to the marketplace.
Mr Frimpong proposed that future commemorative events should end with measurable action plans and commitments to ensure that celebrations produced tangible results. He urged Africans to continue preserving the memories, libraries, archives, and historic sites associated with Pan-Africanists, while building the institutions and opportunities they envisioned.
Mr Frimpong noted that Africa possessed considerable resources, including a youthful population, natural resources, technology, universities, entrepreneurs, creative industries, cultural diversity, a large consumer market, and the African Continental Free Trade Area. He asked whether Africa had the collective discipline to convert its potential into power, prosperity, and progress.
The 2026 memorial lectures were organised by the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum, an agency under the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts. The event featured speakers who discussed the legacies of Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, Dr W.E.B. DuBois, and George Padmore. Mr Frimpong's call for practical action is seen as a timely reminder for African countries to re-examine their commitment to Pan-Africanism.
Key points
- Mr Emmanuel Frimpong calls for African countries to translate Pan-African ideals into practical economic, political and social action.
- Africa must go beyond commemorating Pan-African heroes and apply the principles for which they lived.
- Pan-Africanism must move from the conference hall to the marketplace to facilitate intra-African trade and cooperation.
