As part of the 2025 PANAFEST and Emancipation Day celebrations held at the historic Pikworo Slave Camp, the Paga Youth Movement has issued a passionate appeal to the government to establish a dedicated research center and museum at the site to preserve the Upper East Region’s rich cultural and historical legacy.
Speaking under the official theme, “Let Us Speak of Reparative Justice; Pan-African Artistic Activism,” the youth movement stressed the urgent need to document and immortalize local history, including the story of Bagao, a notorious slave raider who was reportedly captured and killed beneath the sacred Gungo tree near Navrongo.
“We are calling on the government to urgently facilitate the construction of a research center and a museum to house oral accounts, slave trade narratives, and cultural artifacts,” said Aborah Wenawome, Chairman of the Paga Youth Movement. “Preserving our history is key to empowering future generations.”
Beyond historical preservation, the group proposed the establishment of a skills training institute in the Upper East Region as a long-term strategy for youth development and economic transformation.
“Skills acquisition is a pathway to economic empowerment,” Wenawome added. “A productive youth is a peaceful youth, and a peaceful society is a progressive one.”
The youth also highlighted pressing development challenges, particularly the long-standing water crisis in Paga. For more than two decades, the community has depended on just two boreholes, which they described as overstretched and inadequate for their growing population. They further called on the government to fast-track the completion of the Agenda 111 hospital project in Paga to improve healthcare access.
Wenawome also acknowledged the contributions of diaspora communities, especially in the provision of boreholes and other community support projects.
“Your solidarity is commendable,” he said. “We urge you to deepen your investment in sustainable development initiatives in our region.”
The youth leader also praised Wisdom Korbla Ahadzi, the Upper East Regional Director of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), for his continuous commitment to highlighting the importance of the Pikworo Slave Camp.
“Your leadership continues to shine a light on the significance of this historic site. We are grateful,” he noted.
The 2025 Emancipation Day ceremony drew a diverse audience, including traditional rulers, queen mothers, political leaders, academics, diaspora representatives, students, and civil society organizations, all gathered to reflect on the legacy of slavery, promote reparative justice, and advance the cause of unity and development.
Source: A1RadioOnline.com | 101.1 MHz | Joseph Napoleon Anaaya | Paga
