Backed by the Mayor of London's office this, free ‘family day out, is of great historical significance as it also commemorates the golden anniversary of the first Pan-African Conference held on African soil. An event of great significance, it marked a continent wide expression of African people's unity in their commitment for self rule and self determination.

The historic conference of Independent African State leaders, met for the first time fifty years ago on April 15, 1958 in the city of Accra Ghana, after achieving independence from colonial rule. The conference led to the creation of the celebrated Africa Liberation Day (ALD) which will be celebration this bank holiday.

‘These milestones need to be recognised and celebrated just as black Americans, the British and every other minority groups celebrate their history.
It gives a people a sense of identity in who they are, what they have achieved in order to move forward. It is as important to place a value on our history and a culture as other communities do,' Henry Bonsu political commentator, director and co-founder of colourful radio told Black Mental Health UK.


Representatives of the governments of Ethiopia, Ghana, Liberia, Libya, Morocco, Sudan, Tunisia, The United Arab Republic (which was the federation of Egypt and Syria) and representatives of the National Liberation Front of Algeria and the Union of Cameroonian Peoples were all in attendance at the 1958 conference.


Later in 1963 thefirst Conference of Independent African States met and leaders of thirty-two independent African states met to form the Organization of African Unity (OAU). An agreement at the OAU meeting that led to a change in the date of Africa Freedom Day from April 15th to May 25th and Africa Freedom Day was declared African Liberation Day (ALD).


For the last 49 years Africa Liberation Day has been celebration on the 25 May around the world and this bank holiday Monday will mark the 50th year.


Historians and community leaders are keen to see the history behind the celebrations kept at the forefront of people's minds


‘It is good to have events like this as it will hopefully trigger a hunger for learning more about why we are celebrating this event because it didn't' just happen by osmosis. People had to fight wars to gain their freedom and independence for their nations.


Even the conditions now that we have in many African nations, while they are by no means idea,l still had to be fought for to get to this stage. Those winds of change that Macmillan talked about didn't just occur. Those winds of changes were fanned by independent minded Africans all over the continent and Caribbean's rising up and taking back their freedom against incredible odds,' Bonsu said.



This year marks the second Africa Liberation Day to be organised by the Mayor of London, and media partners for this event include the African Voice newspaper and Voice of Africa Radio.


‘The main thing we would like to see it that people come down and celebrate the achievement that has been made by so many great leaders of our past, because that has played a big part in securing many of the freedoms that we enjoy today. We welcome the Mayors support of this event and we are keen to see people turn out for this en masse because it will also prove that there are African's in this city that care and are proud of their culture and history,' Voice of Africa Radio presenter, Deborah Achene told Black Mental Health UK.

Now one of the fast growing minority ethnic communities in the capital, black Africans make up 5 % of all Londoners. However despite the great historical achievement that this day represents, there those who are still unaware of the political and social achievement ALD marks.


‘I was not aware of ALD but I welcome this celebration as people from the continent of Africa are all to often pigeon holed with certain stereotypes. Bringing past historical achievements to the fore and remembering those who fought for national independence half a century ago helps to change this perception,' Denis Otingo-Onyango of the African Community Development Foundation told Black Mental Health UK.


Celebrated around the world the work behind ALD still continues and has contributed to raising the level of political awareness and in African communities worldwide. It has been used to provide a platform for many people still struggling for economic and political independence and played a critical role in the defeat of colonialism and apartheid.


The newly elected Mayor of London has put his full weight behind supporting these celebrations and said, ‘I encourage all Londoners to play a part this year, Trafalgar Square celebrations are free to all - Londoners and tourists alike. The Africa Day celebrations in Trafalgar Square are an excellent opportunity to get a taste of Africa and its many cultures,' Mayor of London, Boris Johnson said.


This event has been welcomed by historians and community leaders as an opportunity to remind Londoners of the history behind the celebration.

‘We are presenting live form the event, and will be promoting our work within the community as well as reminding people about what we are celebrating', Achene said.


Historian, Professor Clarke states, "History tells a people where they are and what they are. Most important, an understanding of history tells a people where they still must go and what they still must be."

The free event, celebrates the contribution of London's African communities to the capital. The programme features music and live performance from across the African continent, as well as African food and drink and stalls selling African arts and crafts

By Staff writer
From blackmentalhealth.org.uk