Audience at a Holocaust Remembrance Day film screening in Accra, last Thursday, have called for greater awareness, courage and a renewed commitment to peace.
The call was made during a discussion after the screening, organised by the United States Embassy in Ghana.
The documentary, One Survivor Remembers, tells the story of a Holocaust survivor, Gerda Weissmann, and her experience during World War II.
Facilitated by a political officer at the Embassy, Ibilola Owoyele, the session brought together students from Accra Girl’s Senior High School, tertiary students, young professionals, government representatives, members of Non-Governmental Organisations, American Centre patrons and U.S. government alumni.
Although the documentary captured the painful realities of the Holocaust, the discussion that followed was filled with reflection, empathy and hope.
Many of the young participants shared lessons they drew from the film, including the importance of standing up against injustice and refusing to be manipulated.
They also spoke about the need to appreciate the peace and stability Ghana enjoyed, noting that not everyone who experienced conflict lived to tell their story.
A student of Accra Girls Senior High School, Abigail Ama Emefa Asempah, said the discussion highlighted the importance of healing through expression.
“Every pain we endure lives with us, but telling our stories helps release that burden,” she added.
Another student, Bernice Nhyira Mensah, encouraged young people to be courageous and to speak up, stressing that silence in difficult moments could have lasting consequences.
Some participants questioned why the world continued to experience conflict despite the lessons of history, while others emphasised the need for more educational platforms, such as the documentary they had watched, to help people better understand global events.
There were also calls for survivors of traumatic experiences to be encouraged to share their stories, as a way of healing and preserving history for future generations.
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Source:
www.graphic.com.gh