The Acting Executive Director of the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board (GMMB), Essel Kwesi Blankson, has urged elders and youth of the Tengzug Shrine in the Talensi District of the Upper East Region to take deliberate steps to preserve the shrine’s sacred heritage amid growing modernization.
Mr. Blankson made the call during a working visit to the historic shrine at Tongo, which has been identified as a potential site for infrastructural development and upgrading.
According to him, while modernization cannot be entirely avoided, it must be carefully managed so that it does not erode the cultural and spiritual significance of the site.
“It is very sad to see the kind of changes that are occurring there. Of course, you cannot deny modernity to the people, but they must be guided on how to implement it,” he said.
Mr. Blankson suggested that community leaders consider creating designated areas where modern activities can take place while preserving the sacred sections of the shrine in their original form.
“There can be a demarcated area where the sanctity of the place is left intact. People can enjoy modernity outside, but when they go up to the sacred places, they should keep them intact so that visitors can experience them as authentically as possible,” he explained.
He stressed that preserving the shrine’s authenticity is essential for maintaining what UNESCO describes as “Outstanding Universal Value” — the qualities that make heritage sites globally significant.
According to him, uncontrolled development around sacred heritage sites could lead to the loss of their cultural essence and spiritual meaning.
“If we allow development to take charge of our sites without proper guidance, we will lose the essence of the facility,” he warned, adding that preserving African spirituality remains a critical challenge that requires collective responsibility.
Mr. Blankson also toured the Navrongo Cathedral, which was recently elevated to the status of a basilica, where he commended church authorities for preserving the structure’s historic authenticity.
He noted that the presence of both the ancient shrine and the historic Catholic cathedral in the Upper East Region presents a unique opportunity to position the area as a spiritual tourism hub in Ghana.
“We have the oldest Roman Catholic church here and one of the oldest shrines. If we preserve them well, this region can become the spiritual centre of Ghana,” he said.
Mr. Blankson also emphasized the importance of promoting indigenous culture, local cuisine and storytelling as part of tourism development, noting that visitors are often drawn to authentic cultural experiences rather than modern imitations.
The Upper East Regional Director of Museums, Prisca Naambome Yenzie, also underscored the need to upgrade museum facilities and develop other potential heritage sites across the region to boost tourism and support local economic growth.
A1 Radio | 101.1 | Moses Apiah | Bolgatanga
