Welcome to Ghana and welcome to Panafest 2007, the "Pan-African Historical Theatre Festival". Each year since its inception in 1992, Panafest has adopted a theme. Panafest 2007 marks the 8th Edition of this event. Panafest 2007 is especially significant since it coincides with Ghana's 50th Anniversary of Independence. The Themes for 2007 are: "Re-uniting the African Family", and 50 Years of Independence: Pan-Africanism Revisited - 21st Century Edition. Our Colloquium Theme for 2007 is "Pan-Africanism in the Context of Africa's Political, Economic and Social Development".

Pre and Post - PANAFEST Pilgrimage to the North
As part of the ongoing commitment to enhance the historical, cultural and spiritual focus of PANAFEST, the Secretariat has included in the 2007 schedule a Pre-PANAFEST Pilgrimage called "On The Slave Route" - of the PANAFEST programme and allows the participants to experience the courses of the Slave Trade route of the old Gold Coast.

Sunday * 22nd July: "The Journey Begins" * Pilgrimage to the Northern Sector
"Retrace the Captured/Enslaved Ancestors route to PANAFEST".
Pilgrims arrive in Tamale * Evening Reception

Monday 23rd July: "The Pilgrimage" * Tamale - Paga - Navrongo
Visit to Paga/Navrongo historical sites. Nania Camps. Navrongo grave sites.
Evening in Tamale: Reflections

Tuesday * 24th July: "The Pilgrimage" * Tamale - Salaga
Pilgrims visit Salaga Famous "En-Slaved Ancestors Market" * History of Salaga by the Elders *
Evening in Bono Manso

Wednesday * 25th July: "The Pilgrimage" * Bono Manso - Techiman - Kumasi
Visit historic sites of the ancient Bono Kingdom. *
The Martin Luther King, Marcus Garvey and Malcom X memorial Parks * Enslaved sites. *
Pilgrims depart Bono Manso for Kumasi

Thursday * 26th July: "The Royal Return" * Kumasi - Assin Praso - Cape Coast/Elmina
Visit City of Kumasi, the Capital of the Asante Kingdom. * Visit Manhyia Asantehene's Palace.
Learn the History of Asante Kingdom. - Depart Kumasi for Cape Coast/Elmina.
"The Crossing & Arrival" * Pouring of Libation at the "Crossing" of the River Prah at Assin Praso.
Brief stop over at Assin Manso-the enslaved market.
"Arrive" at Cape Coast/Elmina where the kidnapped/enslaved were stored and shipped away.

Friday * 27th July: "The Return Journey" & AKWAABA CEREMONY * Cape Coast/ Elmina
Boat Ride from the Cape Coast Castle "Door of Return" to Elmina Castle/Dungeon.
Reception by the Chief and Elders of Elmina in a traditional Akwaaba (Welcome) Ceremony.
Open to the Public: Audio-Visual Art Exhibition.

Saturday * 28th July: Grand Durbar & Official Opening of PANAFEST * Cape Coast
10:00 am ~ Royal Pageant and Display of Traditional Rulers in a Grand Procession of Chiefs, Traditional Rulers & Queen Mothers, Eminent Personalities, Pan Africanists and artists in a royal display of pageantry through the principal streets of Cape Coast.

Sunday * 29th July: "Opening of the Pan African Conference" * Cape Coast University
Pan-African Scholars and Activists Conference Opening Ceremony

Monday * 30th July: Pan Africanism Revisited/ 21st Century Edition * Conference
The Conference continues: African Scholars and Activists * University of Cape Coast

Tuesday * 31st July: The Conference Conclusion * Reverential Evening * Cape Coast
African Scholars and Peoples Colloquium - Pan Africanism revisited/21st Century Edition
Reverential Evening: Candle light vigil through the streets of Cape Coast to the Castle/Dungeon.
Reverential Programme and Emancipation Day Midnite tribute to the Ancestors.
Mfantsipim Junction (Starting point for the vigil) to the Cape Coast Castle/Dungeon - Courtyard

Wednesday * 1st August: EMANCIPATION DAY ~ AT ASSIN MANSO
Official Celebration of Emancipation Day Program. Assin Manso Durbar & Ceremonies.
Wreath Laying and visit to the Sacred River to pour libation and spiritual bathing.

Thursday * 2nd August: "Healing Ceremony" and Open Activity Day
"In Memory of Those Who Went Before Healing Ceremony"
Suggested Activities: Excursion to Mankassim Posuban Shrine or Kakum National Park.

Friday 3rd * August: "Joseph Awards" and Gala Evening - PANAFEST Closing Ceremony
Closing Gala - The Joseph Project: Ancient Joseph's (Heroes & Heroines)
International Artistic Performance Elmina Castle / Dungeons forecourt

Saturday * 4th August: Free Day or Transit to Accra
Free Day and/or Transit to Accra for Guests with Weekend Departures.