The Pikworo Slave Camp in Nania, near Paga in the Kassena-Nankana West District of the Upper East Region has been turned over by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture and the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) for enhancement work to begin.
Construction of an administration block with a waiting area, reception, manager's room, and souvenirs display room is part of the site's rehabilitation.
The Tourism Development Fund is funding it, and it is slated to be finished in 12 weeks.
The Pikworo Slave Camp, established in the 16th century, served as a transit point for slaves who were held, auctioned, and then sold or transported to the South.
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It also served as a slave trafficking camp, selling people to English, French, and Dutch slave traders.
Mr Henry Yeleduor, the Upper East Regional Director, GTA, said the move was part of plans to improve the quality of tourism sites in the country, speaking at a sod cutting ceremony at Nania to formally hand over the site to the Lubie Construction Works, a Ghanaian construction firm.
At the Pikworo Slave Camp, he said, the project will include the erection of a perimeter wall with a gate and arc, a seven-seater washroom facility, five summer huts, and a parking lot.
He said the government was taking steps to renovate and improve the state of chosen tourism attractions across the country, with money from the World Bank, in order to encourage patronage.
"Government is keen to construct lots of tourism spots in the region to promote visitation and income mobilization," he added, adding that the Paga Zenga Crocodile Pond was also getting a makeover with an administration block and a car park. "Our objective is for Ghana to become the tourism hub of West Africa, therefore we think that if these places are improved, there will be a lot more visitors, which would lead to increased revenue."
"Because these places are within towns, they are expected to have an impact on the local economy in terms of job development, souvenir manufacture, food, and water, among other things,"
Mr Gerard Ataogye, the region's District Chief Executive, said the district was blessed with a variety of tourism attractions that needed to be revamped and redeveloped, and that the upgrading program was a step in the right direction.
He expressed optimism that, because of the close vicinity of the Burkina Faso border, when tourist spots were developed and the necessary amenities were constructed, patronage would increase, boosting the local economy and creating jobs for the people.
He urged citizens to cooperate and support the contractor in order for the work to be completed on time, but cautioned that bad work would not be tolerated.
Mr Costa Achindiba, Assemblyman for the Nania Electoral Area, praised the Ministry of Tourism and the Ghana Tourism Authority for their efforts to construct the sites, saying that they will assist conserve the area's traditional history for future generations.
| Heritage |
Source; GNA
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