The Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Operations at the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), Ekow Sampson, has made a strong point for the development of Pikworo Heritage and Slave Camp into a global beacon of memory, resistance, and renewal.
Delivering a speech on behalf of the CEO of Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), Maame Efua Houadjeto, during the 2025 PANAFEST and Emancipation Day Durbar at the Pikworo Heritage and Slave Camp at Nania in the Kasena Nankana District of the Upper East Region, the Deputy CEO noted that the Pikworo Heritage and Slave Camp does not only hold economic value but also potential as a powerful tourism destination for remembrance, education, and healing.
“Friends, even in its pain, Pikworo offers hope, it is a powerful tourism destination not for entertainment, but for remembrance, education, and healing. The rehabilitation of Pikworo Slave Camp as a heritage tourism site by the Ghana Tourism Authority holds a great promise for the Upper East Region”
He highlighted the rehabilitation of the site by Ghana Tourism Authority as a heritage tourism destination, which holds great promise for the Upper East Region, including generating sustainable jobs for the youth and attracting diasporans seeking reconnection and renewal.
“It can generate sustainable jobs for the youth; as tour guides, artisans, researchers, and hospitality service providers. It can attract Diasporans seeking reconnection and renewal. It can serve as a cultural learning center, promoting traditional music, art, and storytelling” he emphasized.
He urged stakeholders to rally government and private sector support to elevate Pikworo Heritage and Slave Camp into a living heritage site, requiring investment in infrastructure, preservation, interpretation centers, and community partnerships.
“But for this to happen, we need investment in infrastructure, preservation, interpretation centers, and community partnerships. Let us rally both government and private sector support to elevate Pikworo Slave Camp not only as a historical site but as a living heritage”
On his part, the Upper East Regional Director of Ghana Tourism Authority
(GTA), Wisdom Ahadzi, appealed to the central government to support the development of the Pikworo Heritage and Slave Camp. Contained in his speech, the regional director noted that there is the need to fence the camp to make it sacred and prevent encroachment.
He explained the importance of collective sacrifice in developing the region through tourism, urging stakeholders to work together to promote the area’s rich cultural heritage, while extending an invitation to diaspora Ghanaians to return home and contribute to the region’s development.
“This 3rd edition of the celebration of PANFEST aims to deepening the understanding of the region’s culture. I call on central Government to help fence the camp to make it sacred and avoid encroachment and other structures that will boost tourism. I want to also appeal that there must be a bit sacrifice from everyone for development of the region through tourism. I appeal to diaspora brothers and sisters to return home to develop the region.”
The 3rd edition of Upper East Regional PANAFEST and Emancipation celebration 2025, witnessed huge turn out with traditional leaders and their people from all the traditional areas in attendance in their glory, adorned with culture and splendor.
There were also various warrior groups and students in the region represented and performed culture displays, trilling and earning applause from the dignitaries, comprising of people from the diaspora, including Esther Philips a poet laureate from Barbados and people from different communities who have travelled from far and near, gathered at the Pikworo Heritage and Slave Camp to grace the occasion.
The PANAFEST and Emancipation celebration aims to promote historical awareness, cultural heritage, and unity among Ghanaians and people of African descent.
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