We must move beyond the pain of slavery and harness tourism for development – GTA
GTA calls for a shift from remembering the painful history of slavery to using heritage tourism as a tool for economic growth, cultural preservation, and community development.
The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) has urged Ghanaians, particularly communities with a history of the transatlantic slave trade, to move beyond the painful memories of slavery and harness the immense potential of tourism to drive development and economic growth.
The Upper East Regional Director of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Joseph Appiagyei, made the call during a grand durbar of chiefs and people of the Upper East Region held to commemorate the 2026 Emancipation Day celebration at the Pikworo Slave Camp in Paga on Tuesday, July 21.
Appiagyei acknowledged the deep emotional scars left by the transatlantic slave trade, noting that countless Africans were forcibly taken from their homes and subjected to inhumane treatment.
“We cannot celebrate emancipation, which marks the freedom gained from slavery, without expressing the emotions, bitterness and pain that the slave trade caused,” he said.
He, however, stressed that while the painful history must never be forgotten, it should not become an obstacle to the continent’s progress.
“We cannot continue mourning the pain of the past. We should not allow that pain to occupy our minds to the extent that it prevents us from thinking positively and organising ourselves for development,” he stated.
According to Appiagyei, the Ghana Tourism Authority, in collaboration with other stakeholders, organised the celebration to promote healing, reconnect people with their heritage and showcase the region’s tourism potential as a catalyst for socio-economic transformation.
He called for deliberate efforts to develop the region’s rich tourism assets while promoting peace and unity among communities to accelerate development.
In a speech read on his behalf, the Upper East Regional Minister, Donatus Akamugri Atanga, reaffirmed his commitment to initiatives that preserve Ghana’s cultural heritage and position the Upper East Region as a leading destination for tourism, investment and cultural exchange.
He commended the organisers for the choice of theme, describing it as timely and significant in promoting African unity and reconnecting people of African descent with their ancestral roots.
“The theme for this year’s celebration is both timely and profound. It affirms our shared identity, our common destiny and our enduring bonds as one African family. It calls on Africans everywhere to reconnect with their ancestral heritage,” the statement said.
Atanga also highlighted the strategic importance of Paga, describing the border town as a historic gateway linking people, cultures and commerce across the West African sub-region.
He said the Regional Coordinating Council remained committed to forging partnerships that would transform heritage sites in the region into world-class tourism destinations capable of creating employment opportunities for the youth and stimulating economic growth.
The 2026 Emancipation Day celebration, held on the theme “reconnecting roots, celebrating freedom, experience Ghana,” brought together chiefs, government officials, development partners, tourism stakeholders, visitors from Ghana and Burkina Faso, members of the African diaspora and other distinguished guests.
The event, chaired by Ghana’s Ambassador to Burkina Faso, His Excellency Kenneth Akibate, featured cultural performances, exhibitions of local products and services, and activities aimed at promoting heritage tourism and Pan-African unity.
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