Museum to promote Ghana, Danish heritage inaugurated

Sesemi (GAR), Oct. 11, GNA - The University of Ghana and the National Museum of Denmark on Thursday inaugurated a 450,000-dollar renovated museum at Sesemi, near Abokobi, in the Ga East District, to serve as a tourist and research site to promote a common heritage between Ghana and Denmark.

The facility called "Federikgave" formerly known as "Royal Plantation" is one of several plantations established by the Danes in the 19th century in the foothills of the Akuapem Mountain to enslave workers to cultivate crops such as cotton, coffee and tobacco. Professor Clifford Nii Boi Tagoe, Vice Chancellor, UG, said the project initiated and funded by the Danish Augustinus Foundation, was to jointly develop the historical, cultural and natural heritage resources in the area.

He said the facility had therefore been developed to tell a story of plantation and slave trade to cover a tragic chapter in the history of a shared common past between the two countries. Prof. Tagoe said the University's support in the project was also in fulfilment of its mandate to improve and sustain collaboration with society through research and education to advance public knowledge. The Vice Chancellor called for the adoption of legal steps to secure and protect various historical sites that were being encroached on.

He commended the Foundation, Chief and people of Sesemi and other individuals for their commitment and investment in making the project successful.

Mr Kofi Osei Ameyaw, Deputy Minister for Tourism and Diaspora Relations, said it was a great experience to see the Danes back in Ghana to establish such as a project aimed at promoting the heritage of the two countries to erase the painful experience encountered by Ghanaians who were engaged in the slave trade.

"This facility is therefore very historic to serve as a reminder of the past and at the same time tell us of the regrets suffered by our ancestors in order to avoid repetition of such abuse." The Deputy Minister said the museum alone could not serve the intended purpose, hence the need to cultivate the historic plantation to give a complete picture of the exact situation. He noted that although diplomatic relations between Ghana and Denmark had over the years been encouraging Ghana was now working to attain economic emancipation hence the need to invest in various sectors.

"Ghana is an obvious choice in the sub-region for investment. We have peace, good governance, democracy and in addition the most hospitable people you can ever find on this earth," he added. Mr. Osei Ameyaw said the inauguration of the project also marked a new dimension in the country's tourist sector and expressed government's commitment to continue to develop it.

Mr Kofi Allotey, District Chief Executive for Ga East, said even though tourism had become one of the main sources of income and employment generation, the district was yet to reap its full benefit. He said the District had a number of tourist sites such as the African Village near Sesemi, the historical origin of the district capital, Abokobi, as settlement for Presbyterian missionaries, a number of archaeological sites at Oyarifa and other eco-tourism potentials that could also be developed.

Mr Allotey expressed the Assembly's commitment to develop and market the site in order to generate more revenue and create employment for the youth in the area.

Nii Tackie Tawiah III, Ga Mantse, commended the Danes for the project, which, he said, demonstrated commitment on the part of both countries to do away with the acrimony that existed in history. He urged all Chiefs in Ga land to treasure their land and to release them for such beneficial projects to make all Gas proud of their native land.

Mr Brain Mikuelsen, Danish Minister for Culture, said the project was to further strengthen the economic relations between the two countries.

"Since I came to Ghana a few days ago, I have seen a lot of Ghana Danish shared values as well as Ghanaians with names form the Danish descent."

He expressed optimism that the project would be managed effectively to serve its purpose and enhance economic partnership. Mr Carsten U. Larsen, Director, for National Museum, Denmark, said the Danish Government was happy to have established the museum to benefit the community and the country as a whole.