The Upper East Regional Minister, Hon. Akamugri Donatus Atanga, has urged Ghanaians and the African Diaspora to draw lessons from the trans-Atlantic slave trade by promoting unity, preserving Africa’s heritage and investing in tourism to drive economic development.
Speaking through an Administrative Officer at the Upper East Regional Coordinating Council, John Muniru, at the 2026 Emancipation Day celebration at the historic Pikworo Slave Camp in Nania near Paga, the Minister described the annual event as a solemn reminder of one of humanity’s darkest chapters and a celebration of the resilience of Africans who endured slavery.
He said the Pikworo Slave Camp remains one of Ghana’s most important slave transit sites, where thousands of Africans passed before being forced into slavery.
Today, he noted, the site stands as a symbol of remembrance, reconciliation and renewal for Africans on the continent and in the Diaspora.
Hon. Atanga said preserving such historical sites must go hand in hand with efforts to unlock their economic potential.
He called on investors, development partners and members of the African Diaspora to partner with the Upper East Region to expand tourism infrastructure, hospitality facilities and cultural enterprises capable of creating jobs, supporting local businesses and boosting the regional economy.
The Minister also encouraged tourists to visit some of the region’s leading attractions, including the Pikworo Slave Camp, Paga Crocodile Pond, Tongo Hills, Sirigu Pottery and Arts Centre, Bolgatanga Craft Village and the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Navrongo Cathedral.
Addressing the gathering, Ghana’s Ambassador to Burkina Faso, H.E. Kenneth Akibate, said Ghana continues to lead international efforts for reparatory justice over the trans-Atlantic slave trade.
He disclosed that Ghana spearheaded the adoption of the United Nations General Assembly Resolution A/RES/80/250, which recognises the trafficking of enslaved Africans and racialised chattel enslavement as the gravest crime against humanity, with the support of 123 UN member states.
Ambassador Akibate also cited the recent High-Level Consultative Conference on Reparatory Justice held in Accra under the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama, the African Union Champion on Reparations.
He said the conference brought together African leaders, legal experts, civil society organisations and members of the Diaspora to develop a roadmap for advancing reparatory justice.
According to him, the pursuit of reparations is not only about compensation but also about acknowledging historical injustices, restoring the dignity of the descendants of enslaved Africans and strengthening international cooperation to address the enduring legacy of slavery.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
