The Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, has commenced the first phase of her regional tour with a visit to the Hedranawo Slave Museum in the Ketu South Municipality of the Volta Region. The tour forms part of her commitment to promoting Ghana’s cultural heritage and advancing tourism development across the country.
During her visit, the Minister underscored the importance of strengthening the tourism value chain in the region. She emphasized that the objective is not only to attract tourists but also to encourage extended stays in local communities, thereby boosting local economies through increased patronage of hotels, markets, and cultural events.
“The value of this place is immense,” Madam Gomashie remarked. “It’s not just about people visiting; it’s about them staying, buying from our markets, experiencing our culture, and contributing to the local economy.”
The Minister was warmly received by the traditional leadership of the Some Traditional Area. Torgbui Sape Agbo V, the Avaklasuga of the area, expressed heartfelt appreciation for the visit and acknowledged the challenges faced in developing the museum project.
“It has not been an easy journey, but by the grace of God, we are here today,” he said.
Torgbui Avaklasuga also expressed his readiness to support the area’s development by offering a large parcel of land to prospective investors interested in enhancing tourism infrastructure. Additionally, he announced plans to establish a vocational training centre to equip local youth with practical skills through six-month training programs.
The visit also highlighted the ongoing efforts of Professor Wazi Apoh, a Professor of Archaeology and Heritage Studies at the University of Ghana, Legon. He led in the excavation and preservation of artifacts linked to the transatlantic slave trade. Professor Apoh called on the government and stakeholders to support the project, emphasizing the significance of historical preservation in educating future generations. “We must stand on the truth of our past to build a better future,” he stated.
The Minister toured the facility to gain a firsthand view of the excavated artifacts, the slave dungeons where captives were held, and other key historical elements tied to the region’s role in the transatlantic slave trade.
The Hedranawo Slave Museum stands as a solemn reminder of that painful past, and efforts are ongoing to develop it into a major cultural tourism destination.
Following her visit to Ketu South, the Minister is expected to continue her regional tour in Ho. Her itinerary includes courtesy calls on the Volta Regional Minister and the Paramount Chief, meetings with Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), engagement with regional tourism staff, and visits to selected tourist sites in the Region.
Source: Public Relations Unit MoTCCA
