|
Ussher Fort Museum opened to the
public
Accra, Nov. 14, Ghanadot/GNA - The Ghana Museums and
Monuments Board on Wednesday officially opened a new museum
that would focus on the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade at the
Ussher Fort prisons in Accra.
The Museum funded by the European Union through UNESCO has
in stock a collection of valuable personal effect of those
who were involved in the slave trade as well as paintings
and art crafts that depict the slave trade.
On display were equipment used to chain the slaves, drinking
cups made of clay, huge grinding stones and paintings of
those raped in the heinous trade.
Mr. Abeeku Dickson, Special Assistant to the Minister of
Tourism and Diasporan Relations, who cut the tape to open
the museum said the ministry was poised to create tourism
products that would offer fulfilment to tourists.
"Tourism is the fastest growing industry in the world and
Ghana has to take advantage of it".
Mr Dickson noted that the slave trade was peculiar to
Ghana's history and that Ghana alone had 42 forts and
castles at the time of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade.
He called for cooperation from the chiefs and people of Ga
Mashie and urged the Museum and Monuments Boards to ensure
that the Ussher Fort Museum was managed with sustainability.
Mr. Filiberto Ceriani Sebregondi, European Union Resident
Commissioner, said the EU was fully aware of the importance
of cultural heritage and its potential role for local
economic development hence their support for the project.
The project funded with 420,000 Ghana cedis through the
European Development Fund, he said, had a huge potential for
the development of cultural tourism.
Mr Sebregondi said the EU also funded the museum because of
the historical links of the Ussher forts with various
European countries.
He expressed the hope that the restoration of the bastion of
the fort and its conversion into a functional and
sustainable museum would raise awareness and educate young
people on the preservation of the cultural heritage
represented by the fort.
"For the general public as well as Ghanaian school children,
it offers an additional opportunity to harnessing education
for cultural heritage development."
Mr Sebregondi said the museum would allow international
tourists to stay a bit longer in Accra before going to
Elmina or Cape-Coast as a recreational area.
Mrs. Sarah Bucknor, Manager of the Museum, said the museum
focused on slavery because the slave trade was an ancient
institution and it was established at the Ussher Fort
because the Fort is part of the world heritage sites
selected for funding by UNESCO.
She expressed hope that people would patronize the museum
and also urged the general public to visit the place and
learn more about their history.
Mr. Joseph Maisie, Acting Director of the Ghana Museum and
Monuments Board said the museum would place much emphasis on
the development of tourism in the Ga Mashie area.
Nii Tackie Commey, Member of Parliament for Odododiodoo,
said the opening of the museum in the Ga Mashie area was a
welcome one and called on citizens to cooperate with the
authorities to ensure its sustainability
Nii Okaidja II, Gbese Manste who represented the Ga Manste,
expressed gratitude to all those who contributed to the
planning and completion of the museum project.
GNA
|
