GBHHEC Inaugurationin Addis Ababa Milestone to Building Institutions of African Identity: DPM &FM Demeke 

Addis Ababa  December 8/2023 (ENA) Inaugurating the Global Black History, Heritage and Education Center (GBHHEC) in Addis Ababa today is a milestone journey to building institutions of African identity, Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen said.

Speaking at official inauguration of GBHHEC today, Demeke said uniting our thoughts and actions on black history, heritage and culture is instrumental to navigate with the spirit of empowering Africans towards achieving common goals.

He added the establishment of the centre which primarily focuses on rights of black people, is believed to capture the imagination of the African youth, in our quest for greater unity and integration.

"The rich history diversity and black people will certainly inspire the generations to come and instill in them the pan-Africanist enthusiastic with bravery. The initiative also helps share this significance of our heritage and people towards the future where knowledge and pride in our diverse legacy empower the present and next generation," he said.

The centre is not just a physical place, rather it is a symbol of commitment to the shared future of our children.

The GBHHEC's mission, rooted in the ideals of Pan Africanism, will undoubtedly enjoy the support of people in the continent, he said.

 

He expressed his hope that the centre will have high quality and dedicated research capacity to preserve the rich Africa history and culture. 

The centre has also a potential to become a platform of excellence for producing educational materials and cultural exchange.

"The knowledge generated by the centre should awaken us all. And we must always remember that by celebrating our past, we have to strive to build a better future," Demeke said.

Ethiopia stands ready to support the centre with a commitment to upholding our historic responsibility.

He thanked the leadership of the GBHHEC for advancing the history and heritage of black people across the globe and for choosing Ethiopia, the seat of the African Union as its headquarters.

 

Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development at AU, Ambassador Minata Cessouma through her representative said the contributions of black people to the world have been marginalized and erased.

She added that our history has been distorted, our achievements minimised, and our voices silenced.

"We believe the Global Black History, Heritage and Education Center is here to regain our narrative, to tell our stories and to ensure that our legacy is forever stamped in the African and global history. Within the wall of this center, we expect to discover the lesson known and treasuries of black history ranging from the ancient african civilizations to contemporary battels from freedom and equality " she stressed.

The commissioner further said we trust the global centre will serve as a complementary hub in echoing the narratives of the great Africa and amplifying the voices of the African diaspora worldwide.

The Global Black History Centre is an important platform which will change the status quo, dismantle the structures of oppression and create a world where black voices and black achievements are recognised, they are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve, she elaborated.