The year 2007 has two important anniversaries that mark significant moments of change in the relationship between Africa and the UK. Two hundred years ago the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act was passed in the UK; and fifty years ago Ghana gained independence, the first country in Africa to achieve independence, a moment in history that began an ongoing process of empowerment and decolonisation in Africa and elsewhere in the world.

These anniversaries present us with an opportunity to explore the relationship between Africa and UK in its many manifestations, past, present and future. The British Council’s Africa 2007 programme will explore and reflect on the past but, importantly, it will look at the past in relation to its impact on the present and future.

The programme has three broad themes: Creative Celebrations, Different Lives and Footprints. Within the themes are five projects: Belongings, Bring the Noise, Different Lives, Footprints and Reflections. Collectively these projects make up Africa 2007: a celebration of culture and identity.

Africa 2007 was launched on 15 February by the Rt Hon John Prescott MP, Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and the HE Alhaji Aliu Mahama, Vice President of the Republic of Ghana.