2025 News - DuBois Centre

The W.E.B. Du Bois Centre: Ghana’s Legacy of Pan-Africanism

The W.E.B. Du Bois Centre in Accra stands as a solemn and powerful tribute to one of the most influential Pan-African thinkers of the 20th century. Established in 1985 by the Ghanaian government, the Centre serves to honour the life and legacy of Dr. W.E.B. Du Bois, co-founder of the NAACP, Pan-Africanist, and globally renowned civil rights activist.

Located near central Accra, the Centre sits on peaceful, tree-lined grounds where Du Bois spent his final years. It includes four main structures: his former home (now a museum and library), the Marcus Garvey Guest House, an administrative building, and the mausoleum where Du Bois and his wife, Shirley Graham Du Bois, are buried. Behind the residence is an Open Air Theatre, once used for cultural events, lectures, and Pan-African seminars.

The museum houses personal memorabilia, historical photographs, and Du Bois’ private library, a rare and valuable collection. Access to this personal library and his research materials requires special permission. Unfortunately, the museum library and seminar room remain in urgent need of restoration. The facilities show signs of visible deterioration, and the library—though rich in content—needs significant expansion to meet the standards of a modern, international research centre.

As of March 2025, the Centre has reopened to the public, welcoming visitors once again. However, services remain basic, with no major upgrades yet visible. While guests can view exhibits and tour the grounds, the full potential of the Centre is still far from realized.

The decline in programming and upkeep has been a point of concern for scholars, young Pan-Africanists, and members of the diaspora. Once a vital site for intellectual exchange, the Centre now struggles with limited funding and management issues, leaving it more of a quiet memorial than a dynamic institution.

In 2023, the Centre was officially entrusted to the W.E.B. Du Bois Museum Foundation (USA/Ghana)—a non-profit organization established in 2019 with the mission to redevelop the Centre into a world-class museum complex. Their vision is to transform the site into a global cultural and educational hub celebrating Du Bois’ life, ideas, and enduring relevance.

Despite its present state, the Centre continues to host key events such as the annual Emancipation Day Wreath-Laying Ceremony, preserving the spirit of resistance and Pan-African unity. With focused leadership, funding, and community involvement, the W.E.B. Du Bois Centre could once again become a thriving place of learning, reflection, and Pan-African pride.

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