Mrs Barbara Oteng Gyasi, the Minister of Tourism Arts and Culture, has launched the President’s Committee on Museums and Cultural Heritage, which is aimed at preserving the heritage, arts, and culture of Ghana.
In light of this, the 12-member panel delegated by President Akufo-Addo is expected to investigate radical new ways of presenting narratives, as well as engaging communities from across social divides in Ghana to represent them in their museums appropriately.
According to her, the committee would also propose new policies for the governance and organization of the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board (GMMB) responsible for Ghana’s museums and cultural heritage.
Madam Barbara Oteng Gyasi intimated that Africa and for that matter, Ghana was endowed with heritage resources which called for preservation.
She argued that Ghana holds a unique position among African countries due to its geographical location, history, and leadership.
“This leadership is evident in Ghana being among the first African countries to institute a Museums and Monuments Board as far back as 1957 towards the preservation of our heritage.”
Mrs Oteng Gyasi said heritage, arts, and culture were the very roots of a nations’ psyche and the launch of the committee was another step of the commitment of the incumbent government to preserve the heritage, arts, and culture of Ghana.
She said the significance of a vibrant museum and cultural heritage sector could not be over-underlined, particularly in this time where a ton of events including Black Lives Matter had stirred a Pan-African awakening around the globe.
“Currently, great interest has been generated, and momentum has gathered around the Pan-African and Emancipation Movement, epitomized by the “Year of Return campaign which commemorated the 400th year of the beginning of the trans-Atlantic slave trade and the Beyond the Return Initiative, which seeks to promote and deepen relations between the African diaspora and Ghana through economic relations and investments.”
As head of the Ministry of Tourism Arts and Culture, she noted that Ghana had been positioned as the “mecca” of Pan-Africanism and the homeland for the African diaspora, which required the preservation of its heritage and culture for the present generation and those unborn.
“We must tell our own stories to change the negative narrative about Africa. There is, thus, a great opportunity for us to take a second look at the preservation of our heritage through the vehicle of the committee being constituted today.”
She stated that Ghana had a strong competitive edge with heritage resources scattered the country over, anticipating their identification and preservation for future generations, as well as effective utilization to generate opportunities for the country.
Mrs Oteng Gyasi said Ghana’s historical centres and landmarks should be places of learning and discovery for both young and old, and a cornerstone of its development.
“Our civilizations and our cultures are of the oldest in the world, and our museums should reflect that wealth of history, and be projections of what we are capable of for our futures.”
Speaking on the appointed 12-member panel, the minister expressed confidence in the members of the committee saying she was hopeful they would create a new way forward for museums and cultures that the whole world can look to.
Professor Edward Ayensu, Chairman of the committee, expressed appreciation to the President for coming up with such a committee, saying they would ensure to work within their mandate to provide the GMMB with good policies and not to investigate their operations.
Mr Kwame Sowu, Board Chairman, GMMB applauded the committee for their launch and assured individuals who were present at the committee’s launch that they would be ready at all times to provide their support to them, to achieve their purpose.
Members of the committee included Professor Edward Ayensu, Nana Ofori Atta Ayim, Mr Kwasi Adi-Dako, Dr Dickson Adom, Madam Edith Dankwa, Mr Kodzo Gavua, Maame Mensa-Bonsu, Mr William Narteh Gblerkpor, Mr William Nuaiban Gmayi, Madam Afua Nkansah-Asamoah, Mr D.K Osseo-Asare, and Madam Magida Peregrino-Brimah.
The members, from diverse professional backgrounds, are expected to bring their experience and expertise in the fields of architecture, organisational restructuring, finance, archaeology, art history, education, among others.
