New York State Secretary Walter T. Mosley recently visited the W.E.B. Du Bois Memorial Centre for Pan-African Culture in Accra, Ghana. The centre, located on First Circular Road in Cantonments, holds significant historical importance as it was the residence of Dr. W.E.B. Du Bois during his final years. Du Bois, a renowned scholar and editor, moved to Ghana in 1961 at the invitation of President Kwame Nkrumah to lead the Encyclopedia Africana project.
The visit was coordinated by Maurice Cheetham, founder of Diaspora Bridge Consulting, an Accra-based firm that connects diaspora leaders with Ghanaian institutions. Mosley's trip aimed to meet key stakeholders, and the Du Bois Centre visit was part of a programme that included meetings with civic and community leaders in Accra. Due to ongoing renovations, the bungalow where Du Bois lived was closed to visitors. Instead, Mosley was given a private tour of the centre's photograph exhibit and document preservation lab.
The photograph exhibit showcases Du Bois's life, from his years as a scholar and editor in the United States to his final years in Accra. The preservation lab is home to papers, books, and records connected to Du Bois, which are being cared for to ensure their availability to future students and researchers. During the tour, Mosley also laid a wreath at the tomb of Dr. W.E.B. Du Bois inside the mausoleum. The centre was opened as a memorial on June 22, 1985, after Du Bois's remains were moved there from Christiansburg Castle in Osu.
Following the tour, Mosley met with Japhet Aryiku, Executive Director of the W.E.B. Du Bois Museum Foundation. The Foundation, established in 2019, is working with the Government of Ghana to transform the memorial into a full museum complex, complete with a library, museum, conference centre, art theatre, and guest accommodation. The Foundation's efforts have already led to the restoration of Du Bois's bungalow, and the next phase depends on a wider fundraising campaign.
The meeting between Mosley and Aryiku focused on practical ways New York could support the Foundation's work. Discussions centred on connecting the Foundation with New York philanthropic foundations that fund history, education, and preservation, as well as business leaders and diaspora investors with ties to Ghana. The New York connection to Du Bois is significant, as he built much of his career in New York City, helping to found the NAACP in 1909 and editing its magazine, The Crisis, for over 20 years.
The W.E.B. Du Bois Museum Foundation's partnership agreement with the Government of Ghana was signed in New York City in 2021. Mosley's visit highlights the ongoing efforts to preserve Du Bois's legacy and create a world-class museum. The centre's renovation and potential for growth rely on the support of individuals and organizations willing to contribute to its development.
The W.E.B. Du Bois Memorial Centre is currently under renovation, and visitors are advised to check which areas are open before visiting. Typical hours are Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The centre's transformation into a museum complex would provide a fitting tribute to Du Bois's life and work, and serve as a valuable resource for future generations.
Key points
- New York State Secretary Walter Mosley visited the W.E.B. Du Bois Memorial Centre in Accra to discuss potential partnerships and support for the centre's renovation and development.
