Pan Africanism

Ghana holds the notable distinction of being the first Black African country to gain Independence from European colonial rule. This memorable event took place on March 6th 1957 under the leadership of Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah who espoused Pan African zeal and led a movement with the objective of uniting Africa. (Picture of Nkrumah Mausoleum) Other distinguished people such as Marcus Garvey, George Padmore and Dr. W.E.B. Dubois who is known as the "Father of Pan Africanism" dedicated their lives to the struggle of African people for freedom and a better life. Dr. W.E.B. Dubois, the principal architect in the Pan African Congress of 1945, which played a crucial role in the African Independence Movement, was invited by Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana's first President to move to Ghana in 1961 to become the founding Director of the Encyclopedia Africana Project. Dr. Dubois died in 1963 in Ghana and the house he lived in was used in establishing The W.E.B. Dubois Memorial Center for Pan African Culture in 1985. The Center also houses the Tomb of Dr. W.E.B. Dubois where his remains and the cremated ashes of his wife Shirley Graham Dubois are interred. The Center is the focal point for African Studies along with the University of Ghana, Legon.

The University of Ghana at Legon and the George Padmore Library in Accra, are rich repositories of research material on African Studies, as well as other disciplines ranging from Architecture to Zoology. This University, as well as others in Ghana is hosts to serious and casual scholars interested in researching indigenous cultures or those making the transition to modernity. Every year, students and researchers from all over the world participate in Exchange Programs at secondary (High School) and tertiary (University) educational institutions across the
country.