Stories and facts
Since its establishment, the centre has played a vital role in advocating for Pan-African ideals, preserving African heritage, and nurturing the intellectual and cultural development of individuals from the African diaspora.
Founded in 1985 by visionary intellectuals, activists, and artists inspired by Dr W.E.B. Dubois, the Dubois Centre for Pan-Africanism aimed to address the challenges faced by Africans and people of African descent worldwide. Initially a small gathering space for discussions, cultural events, and educational programmes, the centre gradually gained recognition for its commitment to fostering African unity and empowerment.
Located within Ako Adjei Park, the site encompasses not only Dr Dubois' tomb but also a museum that commemorates his life and acknowledges his substantial contributions to the civil rights movement. Serving as a testament to Dr Dubois' unwavering dedication to racial equality and social justice, his tomb stands as a place of remembrance and importance for all those interested in his enduring legacy.
The Dubois Centre played a crucial role in advocating for African liberation and supporting independence struggles across the continent. It provided a platform for African leaders, intellectuals, and activists to convene, exchange ideas, and develop strategies to overcome colonial oppression. The centre actively promoted self-determination, human rights, and economic justice for all African nations.
Recognizing the importance of intellectual and cultural growth, the Dubois Centre has been instrumental in nurturing African talent and promoting academic excellence. It has facilitated scholarships, research programmes, and cultural exchanges, enabling young scholars and artists to explore and celebrate African history, literature, arts, and traditions. The centre has also hosted numerous conferences, lectures, and workshops, inviting renowned scholars and experts to share their insights on African issues.
Preserving and promoting African heritage has been a fundamental mission of the Dubois Centre. It has established partnerships with museums, archives, and cultural institutions worldwide to document, preserve, and exhibit African artefacts, artworks, and historical records. The centre has actively engaged in initiatives to reclaim and restore African cultural heritage that had been stolen or looted during the colonial era, promoting a sense of pride and connection among Africans and the diaspora.
In recent years, the Dubois Centre has expanded its reach and diversified its programmes to address contemporary challenges facing Africa and its diaspora. It has launched initiatives focusing on sustainable development, gender equality, youth empowerment, and social justice. The centre actively collaborates with governments, NGOs, and international organizations to drive positive change and uplift African communities.
The Dubois Centre for Pan-Africanism continues to be a beacon of hope and inspiration for Africans and people of African descent worldwide. Its legacy lies in its unwavering commitment to Pan-African ideals, its role in promoting unity, and its contribution to intellectual and cultural development. As the centre looks to the future, it aims to strengthen its global partnerships, expand its educational programs, and leverage technology to further its mission of African liberation, empowerment, and unity.
Dr W.E.B. Dubois, born on February 23, 1868, in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, played a significant role in African American history. With a diverse lineage including French, Dutch, and African roots, he grew up in a tolerant and provincial town where social standing depended on income and ancestry rather than racial background.
Dubois began his education at Great Barrington High School and secured a scholarship to attend Fisk University, an African American institution located in Nashville, Tennessee. After graduating from Fisk in 1888, he furthered his academic pursuits by spending four years at Harvard University, where he obtained an A.B. in philosophy in 1890. Subsequently, he pursued postgraduate studies in political economy and history at Harvard before receiving a fellowship to study at Berlin University in 1892.
It was during his college years in the South that Dubois first encountered racial discrimination, profoundly impacting his perspective and greatly influencing his future endeavours as a civil rights activist, sociologist, historian, and writer.
During the Manchester Congress, George Padmore and Kwame Nkrumah, who later became Ghana's first prime minister and president, were instrumental organizers. In 1961, Nkrumah invited Dr Dubois to Ghana to oversee the Encyclopedia Africana project. Dr Dubois accepted the invitation and became the project's inaugural director, making Ghana his permanent home and acquiring Ghanaian citizenship.
After enduring political persecution in the United States during the McCarthy era, Dr Dubois decided to relinquish his American citizenship and relocate to Ghana. He passed away in Ghana on August 27, 1963, a day before the momentous March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, during which Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his iconic "I Have a Dream" speech.
