Mr Andrews Kofi Egyapa Mercer, Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture has inaugurated the refurbished Salaga Slave Market and Wells as part of activities to mark “Emancipation 2024”, which seeks to ignite the flame of unity among the global African community.
The Emancipation 2024, scheduled for July 22 – August 01, 2024, is organised by the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MoTAC).
It is on the theme: “Unity and Resilience: Building Stronger Communities for a Brighter Future”.
Mr Egyapa Mercer, speaking during the inauguration of the facility at Salaga in the East Gonja Municipality of the Savannah Region, said it was to start the 2024 Emancipation Day and to celebrate the significant upgrade of the Salaga Slave Market and Wells.
The Salaga Slave Market and Wells, which were a neglected historic site, has been transformed into a top class cultural and tourist destination.
Mr Mercer said the refurbishment of the facility was an acknowledgement of the role that slavery played in shaping the world, emphasising on the need to confront history honestly, by using it as a learning experience to build a more inclusive and equitable society.
He added that the refurbishment was to drum home the sacrifices made by ancestors during their enslavement and their unwavering struggle for freedom.
The Minister said “We honour their memory by continuing to fight against discrimination and oppression that persist in our society. Their resilience and strength in overcoming adversity must inspire us.”
He was optimistic that the celebration of Emancipation 2024 would promote tourism in the Savannah Region and across the country and highlight unique heritage sites like the Salaga Slave Market and Wells, which would not only boost the economy but also foster cross-cultural understanding between communities both locally and internationally.
Mr Akwasi Agyeman, Chief Executive Officer of GTA said the inauguration of the facility marked the beginning of the refurbishment of other tourist sites in the area including the slavery museum and the slave’s cemetery to enhance the overall development of tourism in the region.
Mr Agyeman urged stakeholders in the area to take advantage of the facility to help improve the entire value chain and create other employment opportunities for the youth.
Mr Richard Broni, East Gonja Municipal Chief Executive, who gave a brief historical background to the facility, said it dated back to the 16th century where Salaga was one of the leading markets in West Africa where goods such as kolanuts, beads, ostrich feathers, salt from Daboya, animal hides, textiles and gold were traded.
He explained that in the 18th century, the market’s focus shifted significantly to the trading of human beings where people were captured from various places and brought to Salaga and were exchanged for cowries, gold among others.
He said preserving such a historic site in the municipality honoured the memories of those, who suffered during that period as well as educate future generations about the atrocities of the past, fostering a deeper understanding of the human cost of the Trans-Atlantic slave trade.
Mr Broni gave assurance of the GTA and the MoTAC of the Assembly’s commitment to maintain the facility to attract tourists both locally and in the diaspora to the heritage site.
Kpembewura Banbagne Ndefeso IV, Paramount Chief of Kpembe Traditional Area in the Savannah Region, who was represented at the event, praised GTA and MoTAC for refurbishing the centre, and said it would serve as a place of remembrance, education, and hope for generations to come.
A five-member Governing Board was inaugurated and sworn into office to facilitate effective facility management.
GNA