Black Cultural Archives Launches Exciting Heritage Programme to Commemorate Ghana’s Golden Jubilee

Press Release

LONDON, 6 March 2007 – As communities in the UK and around the world commemorate Ghana’s 50th anniversary of independence from British colonial rule today, the Black CulturalArchives (BCA) has announced that it will be delivering a leading-edge heritage project tocommemorate the nation’s achievement.Thanks to a £49,900 Your Heritage grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and support from the London Borough of Lambeth, BCA’s Ghana Jubilee season will explore how Ghanaand Ghanaians in the UK have impacted on Britain’s heritage through an exciting programmeof exhibitions, lectures, elders’ oral history projects, youth events and family workshops. BCAis collaborating with the Ghana High Commission and a range of institutions and communitygroups in London, including the British Museum, Royal Geographical Society and the Schoolof Oriental and African Studies to deliver its Ghana Jubilee programme.His Excellency Mr Annan Arkyin Cato Ghana High Commissioner to the United Kingdom said:"I am pleased to lend the support of my Office to the work of the Black Cultural Archives as itseeks to enrich the cultural landscape by disseminating Black heritage in the UK. I amhopeful that the contacts between the Ghana High Commission and the Black CulturalArchives will deepen and become even more productive and enriching during Ghana's GoldenJubilee celebrations."Paul Reid - Director, Black Cultural Archives said: “BCA’s Ghana Jubilee season is a primeopportunity for our audiences to reflect on the legacy and structures of hope put in place byIndependence movements in the late 50s and early 60s. We seek to enable communities tounite to commemorate Ghana’s landmark anniversary through our diverse programme ofevents. From March through to August 2007, BCA will create a variety of forums forindependence memories, creative and intellectual expression and visual testimony.”BCA’s Ghana Jubilee season will generate a wealth of material that will complement itsarchival mission to document the presence of African and Caribbean communities in Britain.BCA will make this information as widely accessible as possible. Much of the material will beavailable on the Ghana Jubilee season website, designed by leading creative productioncompany Steel Drum Studios. BCA’s Ghana Jubilee season website will launch mid-March2007 at www.bcaheritage.org.uk/ghanajubilee.

Notes to Editors:The Black Cultural Archives (BCA) is a registered educational charity founded in 1981 to promote theteaching, learning and understanding of the contribution of people of African and Caribbean descent tothe history of Britain. Temporarily located in Kennington, the BCA is developing and fundraising towardsa new Black Heritage Centre with local, national and international reach through its move to RaleighHall, opposite Lambeth Town Hall in central Brixton, in 2010. Website: www.bcaheritage.org.ukThe Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) enables communities to celebrate, look after and learn more about ourdiverse heritage. From our great museums and historic buildings to local parks and beauty spots orrecording and celebrating traditions, customs and history, HLF grants open up our nation’s heritage foreveryone to enjoy. Website: www.hlf.org.ukBCA’s Ghana Jubilee heritage programme includes the following:YOUTH WORKSHOP ‘The Fabric of a Nation Textiles Workshop’ with Kofi AnsahIn partnership the British MuseumSaturday 31 March 2007Ages: 11-16 years Time: 10am-5pm Venue: Clore Education Zone, British MuseumEntry: FREE Registration: To book, telephone 020 7323 8181 or boxoffice@thebritishmuseum.ac.ukOverview: Young people, under the guidance of Kofi Ansah, a leading Ghanaian fashion designer, willexplore the techniques used to produce Ghanaian textiles before creating their own.ELDERS’ REMINISCENCE SERIES ‘Crossing Continents & Time: Ghana Jubilee Reflections’In partnership with the Royal Geographical Society and the Ghana High CommissionMarch & April 2007Facilitators: Zagba Oyortey and Beyonder Ages: 60+Time: 11am-2pmVenue: Ghana High Commission and Royal Geographical Society.Overview: An opportunity for elders of the Ghanaian community in Britain to reflect on the days ofindependence and the aftermath of their migration to the UK. Images, music and thoughts will be usedto rekindle their collective memory, forming a foundation and insight for future generations.HERITAGE EXHIBITION ‘Mr Barnor’s Independence Diaries’24 April – 24 June 2007Venue: Black Cultural Archives GalleryOverview: Curated by Nana Oforiatta-Ayim, this exhibition will showcase the work of Mr. James Barnor,a prolific Ghanaian photo-journalist. The exhibition will display his views and experiences on variousthemes pertinent to the commemoration of Ghana’s 50th year of Independence. Particular attention willbe given Mr Barnor’s post-war experience in Britain and how these experiences have affected his viewson independence, both now and then.LECTURE ‘Ghana's Half Century Journey: the Success and Challenges’Wednesday 2 May 2007Panellists: Professor David Owusu-Ansah (James Madison University USA), Professor A.B. Assensoh(Indiana University), Professor Yvette Alex-Assensoh (Indiana University), Dr Michael Amoah (Universityof London).Time: 6.30-9pm Venue: Brunei Lecture Theatre, School of Oriental and African StudiesEntry: FREE Registration: Bookings via events@bcaheritage.org.uk (MAX 2 seats per applicant)Overview: Leading academics will give presentations on Ghana’s achievements since Independence.The audience will have the opportunity to feed their views to the panel in an open debate.For further information about other events within BCA’s Ghana Jubilee season please contactSuzanne Ngo-Eyok, Ghana Jubilee Programme Managert/ 020 7582 8516e/ suzanne@bcaheritage.org.uk