By Anthony Adongo Apubeo, GNA
Nania (U/E), July 23, GNA – Stakeholders have called for strategic investment in the Pikworo Slave Camp in the Kassena-Nankana West District, describing the historic site as a major economic asset with the potential to create jobs, attract international tourists and stimulate local development.
The stakeholders who included traditional authorities, government officials, development partners, youth groups and tourism stakeholders, made the call during the 2026 Emancipation Day commemoration at the Pikworo Slave Camp in Nania, a suburb in Paga.
The event was held on the theme: “Reconnecting Roots, Celebrating Freedom, Experience Ghana.”
They stressed that preserving and promoting the site would not only honour the memories of enslaved Africans but also transform it into a driver of sustainable economic growth.
Mr Wenawome Aborah, Chairman of the Paga Youth Movement (PAYOM), said the slave camp should be viewed beyond its historical significance and recognised as an important tourism resource capable of generating livelihoods for young people.
“The Pikworo Slave Camp is not simply a historical monument, it is an economic asset. With the right investment, improved infrastructure and stronger promotion, this site can create sustainable jobs for our youth while preserving one of Africa’s most important historical landmarks,” he said.
He appealed to government to accord the Pikworo Slave Camp the same level of attention and investment given to other major tourist attractions across the country, while extending similar support to other tourism sites in the Upper East and northern parts of Ghana.
Mr Aborah also encouraged members of the African diaspora to move beyond heritage visits by investing in local communities, supporting businesses and mentoring young entrepreneurs to stimulate economic opportunities.
He said reconnecting with Africa’s roots should go hand in hand with investments in heritage conservation, education, youth entrepreneurship, digital innovation and skills development to create lasting socio-economic benefits.
Pe Charles Awiah Awampaga II, the Paramount Chief of the Paga Traditional Area, said preserving the slave camp and other historical sites was critical to promoting education, reflection and cultural tourism.
He said such investments would ensure younger generations understood the history of the transatlantic slave trade while contributing to local economic development.
“We also recognise the importance of preserving and developing this former slave camp and other sites of historical and cultural significance. Such places should serve as centres of education, reflection and remembrance,” he said.
The Paramount Chief noted that investing in heritage tourism complemented efforts to improve roads, healthcare and education, describing them as investments in human dignity and community development.
Mr Kenneth Akibate, Ghana’s Ambassador to Burkina Faso, underscored the economic opportunities embedded in the country’s heritage resources, urging Ghanaians to embrace and promote their cultural identity.
He said strengthening the narrative around inland slave routes such as Pikworo, alongside the coastal forts and castles, would enrich Ghana’s tourism offering and create greater opportunities for economic activity, collaboration and peaceful coexistence.
“Our heritage matters, our roots matter and our identity matters. We have to promote and elevate them because doing so creates great potential for human development and economic activity,” he said.
GNA
Edited by Caesar Abagali/George-Ramsey Benamba
July 23, 2026
Reporter: Anthony Adongo Apubeo
Email: [email protected]