Don't overlook history of slavery - Prof Hagan

Accra, Feb. 24, GNA - Professor George Hagan, Chairman of National Commission on Culture, on Thursday said information on domestic slave trade was an area of neglect in many academic disciplines, especially history.

"It is obvious that the subject had been overlooked but Ghana's culture and history must be told."

He noted that libraries were filled with a lot of information on Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade and virtually nothing on the domestic slave trade.

Professor Hagan made this known during the launch in Accra of a book entitled: "A History Of Indigenous Slavery in Ghana from the 15th to 19th Century", written by Akosua Adoma Perbi. The 200-paged book of seven chapters opens with a forward by the author's father Emeritus Professor Kwabena Nketia.

The book tells the story of indigenous slavery in Ghana from the beginning to long after its abolition. It looks at the general perceptions of slavery, especially the Western conceptions, the similarities and the differences between them.

Launching the book Professor Kwabena Nketia, said that the book, which covered the impact of slavery on the Ghanaian society, would be of immense contribution to the academic world.

"It is hoped that the perception of people on slavery would be changed with the birth of this book," he said.

The Author said it was high time slavery in Ghana was examined and appreciated from the Ghanaian perspective.

She was of the hope that the book would give a holistic view of the indigenous institution of slavery and provide a better understanding and knowledge of the dynamics of slavery as practised in Ghana during the pre-colonial period.

Professor Addo-Fenning, a Historian, and Professor James Anquandah, an Archaeologist, who reviewed the book, commended the Author for the well researched, analysed and written work and recommended it to all.

The first six books were sold for 20 million cedis.