By Victoria Agyemang
Saltpond (C/R), Sept 29, GNA – The Mfantseman-Saltpond Development Alliance (MSDA) has proposed the establishment of a National Political History and Heritage Centre in Saltpond to preserve and promote the town’s contribution to Ghana’s political history.
The proposal forms part of renewed calls by the Alliance and residents for the return of the national Founders’ Day celebration to Saltpond, a town associated with significant developments in Ghana’s politics.
The President of the MSDA, Mr Ernest De-Graft Egyir, said the proposed centre would serve as a permanent repository for historical documents, artefacts, photographs and other materials relating to Ghana’s political development.
He said it would also provide a platform for students, researchers, tourists and the general public to learn about the country’s political heritage and the contributions of individuals and communities to the struggle for self-government and independence.
Mr Egyir made the proposal in connection with the commemoration of Founders’ Day, stressing that Saltpond’s historical significance should be preserved for present and future generations.
He said Saltpond played an important role in Ghana’s political history, including hosting the formation of the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC) in 1947, while the Convention People’s Party (CPP) also had strong historical links to the town.
He said the establishment of the centre would complement efforts to revive Saltpond as an important heritage and tourism destination.
Mr Egyir further appealed to the government to consider restoring the national Founders’ Day celebration to Saltpond, saying such a move would help draw national attention to the town’s historical heritage and stimulate economic activity.
He said the initiative was not only about commemorating the past but also about using history, culture and heritage as tools for education, tourism and sustainable development.
He noted that the proposed centre could also provide opportunities for young people to research Ghana’s political history and develop a deeper appreciation of the country’s democratic journey.
The call comes as the people of Saltpond continued to advocate for greater recognition of the town’s contribution to Ghana’s political development.
The MSDA President, in this direction, stated that the Alliance would continue to engage traditional authorities, government, development partners, historians and other stakeholders to explore ways of preserving Saltpond’s heritage.
The MSDA has, meanwhile, embarked on development initiatives in Saltpond, including efforts to improve water supply at the Saltpond Municipal Hospital and plans for a Centre of Excellence combining educational, tourism, recreational and youth-resource functions.
Mr Egyir said the proposed National Political History and Heritage Centre would add another dimension to the initiatives by placing the preservation of Saltpond’s historical legacy at the centre of the town’s development agenda.
Mr Gilbert Abeiku Aggrey aka ‘Santana,’ Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority reinforced the role of Saltpond in the country’s political history adding that it was imperative for the people to tap into the glory of its history for development.
GNA
Edited by Alice Tettey/Kenneth Odeng Adade