Ghana to benefit from Denmark support

Accra, Oct. 9, GNA- Mr. Brian Mikkelsen, Denmark Minister of Culture on Tuesday said his country would support Ghana's cultural development since the two countries shared close cultural and historical relationship dated over 350 years.

He said the National Museum of Denmark, the Museums and Monuments Board of Ghana and the University of Ghana, would work in collaboration to carry out major developmental projects and programmes towards the enhancement and the development of Ghana's culture.

Mr Mikkelsen was speaking with the Ghana News Agency after he paid a courtesy call on Mr Kwaku Boafo, Minister of Culture and Chieftaincy Affairs in Accra to find ways in which the two countries could collaborate to strengthen the existing cultural bond between them. He said the Danish National Museum, in a joint initiative with the University of Ghana would on Thursday October 11, open a Museum of Slavery and Plantation Lifeways at Sesemi near Abokobi in the Ga East District.

The museum, which was housed in a restored architectural complex built by the Danes in 1832 as a plantation mansion would showcase artefacts and paraphernalia on African-European (Danish) interactions and plantation slavery during the era of the Atlantic Slave Trade, he said.

Mr. Mikkelsen regretted the role the Danes played during the slave trade and pleaded that the past should be forgotten while the two countries forge ahead to face a brighter future. During the meeting, Mr. Kwaku Boafo, Minister of Culture and Chieftaincy Affairs expressed gratitude to the government and people of Denmark for their support and promised his Ministry's commitment to the impending collaborations between the two countries. He disclosed that the month of November would be observed as a National Month of Culture where much awareness would be created on the rich Ghanaian cultural heritage.

He said this year's National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFAC) from November 1 - 10 would be different from the previous ones as the rest of the month would be used to create cultural awareness and the need to preserve "our monuments and culture."

Mr. Boafo said if proper care was taken of Ghana's castles and forts, among other monuments and cultures, the country would increase its tourism potentials and income.

He appealed to the Denmark Cultural Ministry to extend human resources development to their Ghanaian counterparts to enhance their performance.