The government has been urged to expedite the conversion of Osu Castle (Christianborg Castle) into a museum.
This transformation would enhance tourism opportunities and highlight the castle’s rich history, encompassing the Danish Transatlantic Slave and British Colonial eras.
Critical Heritage Scholar, Practitioner and the Director of the Christianborg Archeological Heritage Project, Professor Rachel Ama Asaa Engmann made the call last Friday, August 4.
This followed a community tour of the ancient and historical artefacts dug from the castle in a mirror paint exhibited on some of the walls at Osu by Ghanaian artists to depict the rich history of Christianborg Castle.
She revealed that over the past nine years, the Christianborg Castle has yielded an impressive 180,000 artefacts, ready for display in support of the museum project.
According to her, despite its smaller size compared to Cape Coast Castle, Osu Castle’s historical significance is yet to be fully explored.
The archaeological expedition uncovered evidence of a village beneath the castle, which is largely unknown to many Ghanaians.
The Christianborg Archaeological Heritage Project, funded by the Millan Foundation, actively involves the local community and artists in portraying the culture, life, and historical significance of the castle and its inhabitants.
One aspect of the project engages young children in painting some of the discovered artefacts and establishes a community library for learning and archaeological classes.
Another facet aims to address youth unemployment, teenage pregnancy, and drug addiction through art-based activities.
The mirror paintings exhibited on the castle walls depict historical figures like Rev Christian Carl Reindorf and Victor Nanka Bruce, shedding light on their influential roles during the colonial era.
Prof. Engmann appealed to corporate organizations to contribute their support and donations to further the Christianborg Archaeological Heritage Project and unveil the castle’s mysteries and global importance.