The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Mrs. Maame Efua Houadjeto, has officially welcomed Mattie McFadden-Lawson, a distinguished American civic leader and philanthropist, as a guest speaker for this year’s PANAFEST & Emancipation celebrations.

Set to be held under the theme “LET US SPEAK OF REPARATIVE JUSTICE,” PANAFEST & Emancipation 2025 is expected to bring together leading voices from across the African diaspora to engage in powerful conversations around justice, healing, and unity.

Mattie McFadden-Lawson, founder of MML Design Group, is widely celebrated for her lifelong commitment to social equity, cultural heritage, and Black empowerment.

Her extensive background includes serving as a former staffer on the U.S. Senate Budget Committee, board member of the GRAMMY Museum and the Music Centre of Los Angeles, and a Presidential appointee to President Obama’s Advisory Committee on the Arts.

Mrs. Houadjeto, in her remarks, described McFadden-Lawson’s participation as a “powerful endorsement of Ghana’s ongoing efforts to lead the global conversation on reparative justice and cultural identity.”

“Her legacy of service, advocacy, and artistic leadership makes her a perfect voice for this year’s dialogue,” the GTA CEO stated.

McFadden-Lawson’s presence at the festival is expected to elevate conversations around reparations, Pan-African unity, and cultural preservation—core tenets of PANAFEST and Emancipation Day, which commemorate the struggles and resilience of Africans on the continent and in the diaspora.

Organisers anticipate that her keynote will inspire deeper connections among participants and fuel continued advocacy for justice and empowerment within the global Black community.