General News of Sunday, 5 March 2017

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

Osu Castle converted into Museum of Heads of State

The Osu Castle will be re-innovated into a Heads of State Museum play videoThe Osu Castle will be re-innovated into a Heads of State Museum

Ghana will now have a state of the art Museum for past Heads of State who have contributed immensely to the growth and development of the nation with the transformation of the Osu Castle; the former seat of government into a Heads of State Museum.

The Museum projected to be re-innovated within a period of 18 months, will serve as an exhibition hall where presidential artifacts, presidential papers, waxed works of past presidents will be housed. Personal possessions of past Heads of State including books, artworks and items of clothing will also be displayed in the museum.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony of the museum, President Akufo-Addo indicated that the project to be spearheaded by Minster of Tourism, culture and Creative Arts, Catherine Afeku, will well ensure that persons like Joseph Ephraim, Casely Hayford, Kwabena Sakyi, Paa Grant and the ‘Big six’ who played various vital roles as Statesmen will leave behind for generations after, a legacy as well as boost the tourism sector in Ghana.

Also he said, the project when completed will offer an avenue by which Ghanaians can appropriately honor members of the African diaspora, persons like Maya Angelou, Pan-Africanist W.E.B Dubois, Muhammad Ali and Pele whose contributions towards development in Africa should duly be recognized.

The chamber which housed British Queen Elizabeth II during her state visit to Ghana in 1960 will also be exhibited as part of history. There will also be bookshops, research rooms and well-manicured gardens as well as sculptures and artworks crafted by some of Ghana’s finest artists and craftsmen.

President Akufo-Addo also stated Mrs. Afeku’s role in the creation of an investment and culture forum to draw the necessary investment required for the restoration of old forts and castles in the country. The forum will also provide access to the country’s creative communities and ensure a vibrant cultural content for both domestic and international tourism.

The Commissioning of the Heads of State Museum forms part of activities ahead of Ghana’s 60th independence celebrations.