The Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Hon. Abla Dzifa Gomashie, has kicked off the first phase of her Volta Regional tour with a visit to the Hedranawo Slave Museum in Ketu South Municipality.
The tour underscores her dedication to preserving Ghana’s rich cultural heritage and promoting tourism as a tool for socio-economic development.
During her stop at the historic site, Hon. Gomashie stressed the importance of strengthening the local tourism value chain. She explained that the vision extends beyond attracting tourists, it’s about encouraging them to immerse themselves in the communities, patronize local markets, stay in local accommodations, and participate in cultural activities to stimulate local economies.
“The value of this place is immense,” the Minister affirmed. “It’s about more than just visiting; it’s about contributing to the livelihood of our people through cultural exchange and economic activity.”
Hon. Gomashie was warmly welcomed by the leadership of the Some Traditional Area. Torgbui Sape Agbo V, the Avaklasuga of the area, expressed gratitude for the visit while acknowledging the obstacles faced in developing the museum.
He further pledged to support the region’s tourism drive by offering land for potential investors and revealed plans to establish a vocational training center aimed at equipping local youth with practical skills through six-month programs.
The visit also spotlighted the remarkable work of Professor Wazi Apoh, an Archaeology and Heritage Studies scholar at the University of Ghana, Legon. Professor Apoh, who spearheaded the excavation and preservation of transatlantic slave trade artifacts at the site, appealed for greater government and stakeholder support for the project. “We must stand on the truth of our past to build a better future,” he emphasized.
Hon. Gomashie toured the museum grounds, viewing relics from the transatlantic slave trade era, including the original slave dungeons and key historical artifacts, all preserved as a powerful reminder of the region’s history. Efforts are ongoing to transform the Hedranawo Slave Museum into a prominent cultural tourism destination.
The Minister’s tour will continue in Ho, where she will pay courtesy calls on the Volta Regional Minister and the Paramount Chief, hold meetings with Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), and engage with regional tourism officials.
She is also expected to visit selected tourism sites across the region as part of her mission to promote and develop Ghana’s cultural heritage.
Source: Edyspromotions.com
