Reggae’s greatest ambassador, Robert Nesta ‘Bob’ Marley, was recently honored by the Diaspora African Forum (DAF) which erected a memorial marble plaque for the Jamaican musical icon. Witnessed by dignitaries, comprising Chiefs and Elders of the community, Rastafarians, school children as well as scores of onlookers, the plaque erected on the Sankofa Wall at the DAF Mission, in Accra, Ghana, was officially unveiled by his widow Rita Marley during a civic ceremony recently.
The DAF is an African Union-endorsed initiative that links Africans at home and abroad together for the development of
“It was only fitting that Bob Marley, also known by his Ethiopian Orthodox baptismal name Berhane Selassie, was memorialized on the wall reserved for African ancestors and loved ones who spent their lives committed to Africa,” a DAF release states.
According to the release, a long-time friend of Nana (African title) Rita Marley, Dr Desta Meghoo, said “Brother Berhane Selassie deserves this honor as the musical voice of Africans at home and abroad, the plaque gives him a place of remembrance in his ancestral home of
Meghoo assisted in co-ordinating the event in her capacity as a director of the DAF Mission and liaison to the African Union. Nana Rita Marley OD was surrounded by her Queen Mothers from her village in Aburi as she expressed heartfelt thanks on behalf of the Marley family. A resident of Ghana, Rita Marley has made great impact on Ghana through various initiatives including a recording studio, art gallery, health centre, schools, and infrastructure said, “I love Ghana, this is my home so this honor means a lot to my family, his fans, and of course to me.”
Bob Marley rose to international fame in the 1970’s with songs of freedom, liberation and justice for black peoples of the world. His songs became the voice of the voiceless, giving rise to a cross section of supporters ranging in age, class, culture, gender and race.