GTA committed to restoring historical slave trade sites to boost tourism

The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) says it remains dedicated to restoring all potential tourism sites associated with slavery to recognise the historical context of the slave trade and establish the country as a tourism hub.

This initiative aims to honour those who fought for freedom in Ghana and promote a collective future.

Against this backdrop, the government has committed to renovating all tourism sites in the country to enhance domestic tourism. This announcement was made during an event where the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, along with government officials, Ministry staff, GTA representatives, and traditional authorities, commenced the inauguration of the Salaga Slave Market, wells and museum. These sites are set to become beacons of remembrance and healing, opening up economic activities in the enclave.

The event forms part of the 26th Emancipation Day celebration, which marks the abolition of slavery in British colonies in 1834 and has been observed annually in Ghana since 1998. It is scheduled from July 22 to August 1, 2024. The theme for this year is “Unity and resilience; building stronger communities for a brighter future.”

Historically, the Salaga Slave Market, located in the East Gonja District of Northern Ghana, was an 18th-century market where slaves were transported to the coast for export during the Trans-Atlantic slave trade.

Under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, the event will include various activities such as a durbar at Pikworo Slave Camp in the Upper East Region, a tribute to ancestors at the W.E.B. Du Bois Centre and George Padmore Library in Accra, a Legacy of Dr. Efua Sutherland Photo Exhibition, wreath-laying at Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, a Durbar of Chiefs at Assin Praso, cultural celebrations at Elmina, a Reverential Night at Cape Coast, and the Emancipation Day Durbar at Assin Manso, where former enslaved Africans rest. Visitors will also explore Nonko Nsuo—the River of Return on August 1, 2024.

Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Andrew Egyapa Mercer, noted that refurbishing and commemorating these historical sites aims to preserve the memory of the transatlantic slave trade and the struggle for emancipation. “These efforts remind us of the resilience and strength of African people and call for unity and progress in the African diaspora”.

Kpembe Wura, Babanye Ndefosu II, commended the government and the Ministry for refurbishing the tourism sites, believing this would ignite tourism and business activities in the district. He emphasized that the new site could generate more revenue for the country.

GTA CEO, Akwasi Agyeman, stated that refurbishing historical tourist sites associated with the slave trade aims to deepen understanding of the past and its impact on present-day society. This celebration is not only a remembrance of the abolition of slavery but also a call to action for unity and community development. He highlighted collaboration with agencies to develop and preserve forts and castles that had become “scars on the memory of humanity”.