(from our correspondent) "Akwaaba": this symbolic word, which in The Ghana means "you are gone and you are back", officially opened the workshop on "Slavery and new slavery" promoted by Ccee (Council of European Bishops Conferences) and by Secam (Symposium of African and Madagascan Bishops Conferences) which will go on until 18th November in Cape Coast, attended by over thirty bishops from Europe and Africa and a dozen of executives from humanitarian organisations. In addition, the purpose of the workshop is to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the abolition of slavery: this is why a solemn celebration will be held on Sunday 18th November. Today’s opening ceremony, which is rich and colourful as is typical of African style, was also attended by the traditional king, the chief of Cape Coast, who was wearing the typical costume draped on one shoulder and decorated by a big golden neck-chain. The workshop, as recalled by mgr. Aldo Giordano, secretary general of Ccee, continues a process that began as early as 2004 with the Symposium of African and European bishops in Rome (which in 2008 will go on with a meeting in Liverpool and a symposium, possibly in 2010) and will take stock of the past slavery "to learn from our mistakes and find new ways to fight the new, current slavery". (continued)
