2007 has been an interesting year. In some respects, it reiterated the fact that we have a responsibility to inform ourselves, and that we cannot afford to leave it to the media. We cannot afford to make excuses regarding 'not knowing our history' and so on, unless we want to remain victims.

I was struck by the lack of information regarding the much trumpeted 1807 Abolition of the Slave Trade Act. In some respects, my journey began at a meeting I attended towards the end of 2006, when Toyin Agbetu from the Ligali organisation said that the Act was of no significance to Africans. My immediate reaction was: 'Where is this coming from?' However, as I have respect for Toyin although I don't agree with all his views, I decided to do some independent research. Kwaku, the founder of the Black Music Congress, was extremely supportive and searched for a copy of the 1807 Act.

Firstly, Abolition of the Slave Trade Act, contrary to what the mainstream and some sections of the African* press have been saying, did not abolish enslavement and emancipate enslaved Africans, but merely made it illegal to traffic in enslaved Africans. As far as enslaved Africans in the Diaspora were concerned, the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act was of no significance as it did not emancipate them, or set a time table for their emancipation. They continued to be enslaved and to endure untold cruelty in many cases. Perversely, the 1807 Act enshrined discrimination and racism. One of the provisions stipulated that Africans who served in His Majesty's army were not entitled to pension!

If this is the case why, in 2007, did some Africans put on events celebrating the passing of the 1807 Act? I cannot answer for them, but they may have been unaware of that particular provision of the Act. Perhaps, some of those sitting on the various panels planning the commemoration realised that if they publicly acknowledged that 2007 was not the bicentenary of emancipation, they would have to explain the purpose of the fanfare.

Kwaku and I had to correct many websites and papers which said 2007 was the bicentenary of the "abolition of slavery". BTWSC put on the Abolition Truths event as a step towards setting the record straight. The event reminded participants that the 1807 Act did not abolish or intend to abolish enslavement, raised awareness about how chattel slavery experienced by Africans under the trans-Atlantic enslavement was different from other forms of enslavement or servitude, highlighted African abolitionists and freedom fighters, and focused on the resilience and overcoming power of Africans. The event also challenged Africans in the Diaspora with the fact that they were African and needed to engage with their Africanness, and consider calling themselves African or African British.

Another highlight of the Abolition Truths event was the BTWSC Professor Allotey Science Prize, named after esteemed Ghanaian scientist and mathematician Professor FKA Allotey. The purpose of the prize is to encourage students of African descent to take up the sciences, and not be misled into believing that they cannot achieve in that field. Prof. Allotey put it succinctly in his congratulatory message to the winners when he said: "The talent which many African youth use in achieving great heights in music, sports and the entertainment fields, can also be redirected successfully to the study of science."

2007 should have been a time of sober reflection, a time for us to reflect on why the evil institution of chattel slavery was allowed to continue for so long, and the way forward for African prosperity in Africa and the Diaspora. It should have been a time to celebrate African abolitionists and freedom fighters, though it's never too late.

2007 has had its ups and downs. The downs include the plight of Darfur. The plusses include Voice of Africa Radio finally being able to transmit on its FM frequency after becoming Britain's first and only African radio station to be awarded a 5 year permanent FM license. The challenge will be how we use that voice.

Ghana's 50th anniversary of its independence from Britain in my view was an opportunity to reflect on how far Ghana has reached on its journey to self-reliance. It seemed to me that the celebrations outweighed reflection on what had been achieved, and what could be improved. Hopefully, the upcoming self-descript Ghana - We Can Do Better conference on January 12 organised by Centre for African Studies of University of London at Room G3, School of Oriental & African Studies (SOAS), with some help from Black Music Congress, will be a forum for Ghanaians involved in "many successful initiatives in the UK to see how we can channel our efforts to help address the situation of our country, Ghana."

As 2008 approaches, progressive Africans and African organisations must continue striving to make a difference. The Ligali organisation did its bit with the Maafa documentary, and showed that we can try to set the record straight. One does not have to agree with all the points made in the documentary, but it forms a basis for discussion. Barrister and poet Dave Neita did his bit with the 'Lie Centenary' CD. BIS Publications is working hard to make positive books available. Kwaku developed the Brent Black Music History Project DVD and booklet to inspire our youth by highlighting Africans who had played a vital role in the development of the domestic music industry. There are numerous positive initiatives in the community which are part of the way forward, and we should be aware of them.

We need to focus on the way forward. We should take inspiration from the likes of Marcus Garvey and Kwame Nkrumah, educate ourselves and aspire to be self-reliant. In my view, we should acknowledge what has gone on in the past, and how this impacts on the future. For example, when we look at rich African countries where citizens are living in poverty, we must remember how centuries of enslavement, followed by colonialism and neo-colonialism has had a negative impact. We should reflect on the perverse way in which the West complains about corruption in Africa, but supports corrupt leaders, and how for example Mobutu who looted Zaire, was described by American Presidents as a friend of America.

Britain makes a lot of noise about corruption of some African leaders, but interestingly, has not been particularly helpful when it comes to helping to recover misappropriated money in British banks, and returning it to the people of Africa. We should reflect and understand why we are where we are, but we must move forward.

The first step forward is to refuse to be victims. This means zero tolerance on excuses. The focus should be on what we are doing, rather than on what others should be doing. We may not have much influence on Prime Minister Gordon Brown but we should have influence in our homes. Our children are our future and the challenge is for us to inspire them not to aim to be famous for the sake of being famous, but to aim to positively move themselves and their community forward.

Are we doing our best to positively motivate our children? Do we have quality time with them, and if yes what happens during that time? What kind of gifts do we give them? What books or autobiographies do we buy them? Do we leave their education to the schools, and the television, and sit back and complain? There are numerous positive books and resources by us for us, and we need to purchase them for our children. Is it more important to us that they wear the latest branded clothes or that they read inspiring books, and listen to inspiring speakers?

We also need a vision, as without one we perish. BTWSC organised an evening with KB Asante who worked with Nkrumah to inspire us about Nkrumah's vision and its legacy.

Books like When We Ruled are very important. We however need to remind ourselves that our glory is not just in the past, and that we are still capable of attaining great heights.

As we usher in 2008, we need to ask ourselves if we have a vision, and if yes, the steps we are taking to ensure that our vision takes root and flourishes.

Ms Serwah