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Vol. 25 No. 3 March 2021
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Canada to designate August 1 as Emancipation Day
By: Emmanuel Ayiku. Toronto, ON
Canadian MPs in the House of Commons have voted unanimously to designate Aug. 1 as Emancipation Day across Canada. The motion drew 335 votes in favour on Wednesday March 24, 2021, with no abstentions or nay votes. The day marks the anniversary of when Britain’s Parliament abolished slavery in the British Empire in 1834. Following the unanimous vote by MPs, August 1st is now officially Emancipation Day in Canada. “Recognizing Emancipation Day at the federal level is a step forward in acknowledging the multi-generational harms caused by slavery and recognizing the heritage of people of African descent in Canada and the many contributions they have made and continue to make,” Emelyana Titarenko remarked. Titarenko is the spokesperson for Minister of Diversity and Inclusion andYouth, Bardish Chagger. Rosemary Sadlier, Black History expert and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Consultant based in Toronto, who’s been advocating for this day had this to say: “This would seem to be simple and straight forward, but it is more involved than this. I am delighted that the final reading and passage of M-36 happened!!!!!! I am proud to say that my personal efforts starting from 1995 in both buildings up a renewed interest in Emancipation Day through events and talks, through my successful proposing that this important date be recognized and following this initiative through over the years, has resulted in this newest designation” The motion which was introduced by the Liberal MP for Richmond Hill, Majid Jowhari, also called on the Federal government to recognize “the heritage of Canada’s people of African descent and the contributions they have cont’d pn pg. 6
Dr. Rosemary Sadlier 3rd right with fmr. Premier Wynne 1st (l) and other MPPs at Queen's Park
Ghana @ 64 Independence anniversary celebrated virtually in Toronto By Jonathan Annobil & Joe Kingsley Eyiah
Consul-General in his remarks marking the celebration welcomed the community and guests to the 64th independence Anniversary. He recalled that 64 years ago on March 6, the black star was launched into the skies as the Ghana flag of red gold and green with a black star in the centre was raised by our forebears, who fought for our freedom with sweat and blood.
The COVID-19 pandemic this year (2021) prevented the Toronto Ghanaian community from raising the Ghana Flag with pride and dignity as well as to sing patriotic songs and the national anthem as the flag is hoisted. However, our spirits were not dampened as the celebration went on virtually on Saturday, 6th March, 2021 through Zoom. The late Dr. Kwame Nkrumah’s famous speech on 6th March, 1957 at the Old Polo Grounds in Accra was played as background to the rendering of some Ghanaian patriotic songs to commence the virtual program. Grace Damson sang both the Ghanaian and Canadian national anthems, followed with a brilliant poem penned and recited by Nana Yaa Yeboah. It was titled “Liberation and Transformation.”
Hon Ben-Acquah, Ag. Consul-General The Indigenous People of Canada on whose lands we live were acknowledged as protocol demands. Mr. Alexander Ben-Acquaah, Acting
Hon Ben-Acquah added that for that, we recognize the leaders: Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Dr. J.B. Danquah, Mr.E. Obetsebi Lamptey, Sir William Ofori Atta, Dr. Ebenezer Ako Adjei and Mr. Edward Akuffo Addo. He stressed the fact that Ghana’s independence broke the glass ceiling over black people and set us on course to take our rightful place in global affairs. cont’d on pg. 7