Honoring the Past, Shaping the Future: The Spirit of Manchester 1945 Lives On…
In October 1945, a historic conference dedicated to the 5th Pan-African Congress was held in the city of Manchester, England.This significant event, which brought together freedom fighters, trade unionists, intellectuals and students from Africa and the diaspora, marked the beginning of a real path to political independence for African countries. More than two hundred delegates from Africa, the Caribbean and other Diaspora countries not only discussed, but, for the first time, demanded freedom, independence and equality. It was in Manchester that Kwame Nkrumah, Jomo Kenyatta, W.E.B. Dubois, George Padmore, and Amy Ashwood Garvey issued a united call for immediate self-government, self-determination, protection of workers’ rights, and an end to colonial rule.This moment became the starting point of the struggle for the prosperity of Africa and gave birth to a new generation of freedom fighters.
Many participants in the congress soon led national liberation movements in their countries and became the first presidents of independent states. Among them were Kwame Nkrumah (Ghana), Jomo Kenyatta (Kenya) and Hastings Banda (Malawi). For decades, African countries have fought for their independence, including the liberation
wars in Algeria and Libya, the revolution in Egypt, the civil wars in the Portuguese colonies of Angola, Mozambique, Guinea-Bissau, the uprising in Kenya and the long-term struggle against apartheid in South Africa. The final collapse of colonialism occurred only in 1990, when Namibia gained independence. However, the new African countries still face the question of how to solve the problems of economic independence, how to maintain unity and not get bogged down in fragmentation and power struggles, as well as how to force the former colonialists to compensate for centuries of exploitation.
In 2025, the Pan-African Progressive Front (PPF) emerged, as an organization dedicated to uniting the continent in the struggle for full economic and political freedom. PPF calls for the unity of African countries and the diaspora against the neo-colonialist policies of Western countries. And for this, the Pan-African Progressive Front is organizing an International Conference of Pan-African Progressive Forces for the commamoration of the 5th Pan-African Congress. It will be held from October 20-21, 2025 in Ghana, Accra.
Dubbed Manchester 2.0, the conference will highlight and explore Africa’s and diaspora most pressing issues today: reparations, the danger of neocolonial dependence, and the urgent need to create a coherent economic, political, and ideological framework to ensure Africa’s sovereignty in a rapidly changing world order.
Over the course of two days, participants will consider a number of proposals for the transformation of African life on discussion platforms, lectures and plenary sessions. The outcome of the conference will be the adoption of bold economic and political programs aimed at ensuring the collective future of Africa. These discussions will explore ways to deepen political cooperation, economic integration, industrial growth, resource management, and greater self-sufficiency in food and energy, as well as the foundations of financial equity.
They are not abstract ideals, but carefully thought-out approaches designed to guide Africa’s progress step by step in the coming decades, steadily moving towards greater unity, shared security, and a more cohesive continental economy.
The main result of the work will be the signing of the declaration of the Pan-African progressive forces, reflecting the common vision and practical commitments of the delegates to shape the collective future of Africa. The Declaration will be a call for unity, justice and progress, just as the Manchester Resolutions of 1945 once were. It will define concrete steps for Africa’s development for decades to come.
It is important to note that the purpose of the conference is to create a dialogue between young Africans and veterans of the pan-African struggle, cultural figures, politicians, scientists and economists. This diversity is necessary to develop solutions that are both forward-thinking and reality-based.
The conference will be opened by the President of Ghana, John Mahama, and the guests of honor will be the President of Burkina Faso, Ibrahim Traore, and the President of Cuba, Miguel Diaz-Canel. Representatives of more than 50 pan-African organizations from all over Africa will also gather.
The discussions will also highlight Africa’s place in a changing world. As the old colonial hierarchies are replaced by a new global multipolar world, Africa has the opportunity to position itself not as a passive recipient of policies pursued in other countries, but as an active global pole. The Accra Conference will emphasize the need for equal cooperation with all world economies while protecting Africa from unilateral dependence and external domination.
Looking Ahead…
In 1945, Pan-Africanism offered clarity and courage to a generation that went on to dismantle colonialism. In 2025, Manchester 2.0 in Accra aims to inspire a new generation to dismantle neo-colonialism, achieve reparatory justice, and construct a sovereign, united, and prosperous Africa.
In 1945, the cry was for independence. In 2025, the cry is for integration, justice, and power. The Accra Declaration will stand as a collective affirmation that Africa refuses to remain on the margins of history. Instead, it will step forward as a central actor in shaping a more just and multipolar world.
Again in 1945, Manchester declared that “the peoples of Africa are determined to be free.” In 2025, Accra will declare that Africa is determined not just to be free, but to be united, sovereign, and just.
WRITTEN BY: PRINCESS YANNEY (PPF MEDIA MANAGER)
