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Salaga Slave Market Commissioned for 2024 Emancipation Day Celebration
Monday, July 22, marked the official commissioning and ribbon cutting of the Salaga Slave Market and Heritage Site.
This monumental event brought together government officials, community leaders, and locals to celebrate the reopening of a site that plays a crucial role in the history of the transatlantic slave trade.
Salaga was a significant point on the slave route where captured enslaved Africans were sold and later transported to the coast and trafficked to the Americas.
The Minister for Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Andrew Egyapa Mercer, highlighted the importance of this site, stating, “The commissioning of the Salaga Slave Market and Heritage Site is more than a mere remembrance of the past; it is an acknowledgment of the role that slavery played in shaping our world today.”
He made these remarks during the commissioning ceremony held on July 22, 2024, in Salaga.
The Salaga Slave Market dates back to the 18th century and served as an essential hub during the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade era. It also functioned as an outpost for the movement of slaves along the trans-Saharan routes.
Visiting this heritage site offers a profound opportunity to understand and honour this significant part of African history.
It is a place where the stories of those who were captured and enslaved come to life, offering visitors a chance to reflect on the past and its impact on the present.
The reopening of the Salaga Slave Market & Heritage Site aligns with the “Promote Pan-African Heritage & Innovation” pillar of the Beyond the Return initiative.
This initiative seeks to highlight Ghana’s rich heritage, history, pan-Africanism and also to promote tourism in other regions of Ghana.
“Let us seize this occasion to promote tourism in the Savannah Region and across Ghana,” said Hon. Minister Mercer.
He also said that highlighting unique heritage sites like the Salaga Slave Market and Slave Wells builds on the cross-cultural understanding between different communities, both locally and internationally.
The Minister extended heartfelt appreciation to His Royal Highness, the Kpembe Wura, the District Chief Executive, and all stakeholders involved in the renovation and commissioning of this project.
Their collective efforts have ensured that the Salaga Slave Market stands as a testament to history, ready to educate and inspire future generations.
The Salaga Slave Market & Heritage Site offers a unique and enriching experience, allowing visitors to connect with the past.
Entertainment
Breaking News: Daddy Lumba is dead – Family announces
Ghanaian music legend Charles Kojo Fosu, popularly known as Daddy Lumba, has died.
His family confirmed the sad news in a press release issued on Saturday, saying the 60-year-old passed away earlier in the day after a short illness.
“It is with profound sorrow and deep grief that the Fosu family announces the passing of Ghana’s beloved musical icon,” the statement read.
Daddy Lumba was one of Ghana’s most celebrated highlife musicians. With a career spanning more than three decades, his songs touched millions, telling stories of love, pain, joy, and hope.
He was known for his powerful voice, emotional lyrics, and unique style that made him a household name across the country and beyond.
“His soulful voice provided the soundtrack to our love stories, and his poignant lyrics captured the poetry of our struggles, dreams, and resilience,” the family said.
The family has asked for privacy as they mourn their loss and promised to announce funeral arrangements in the coming days.
The statement was signed by Fati Ali Yallah, a lawyer from Baba Jamal & Associates, on behalf of the Fosu family.
Fans, fellow musicians, and Ghanaians across the country have started pouring out tributes on social media, remembering Daddy Lumba’s unmatched contribution to Ghanaian music.
Entertainment
Edem’s debut album gets praise from Sarkodie
Ghanaian rap star Sarkodie has celebrated fellow artiste Edem for his groundbreaking debut album “The Volta Regime”, calling it one of the greatest albums in Ghana’s music history.
In a heartfelt social media post, Sarkodie, whose real name is Michael Owusu Addo, reflected on the first time he heard Edem rap.
He said he was instantly impressed and knew Edem would have a serious impact on the music scene.
“I remember when I first encountered my brother Edem, I came back home to tell one of my hommies that this guy will have a serious impact on the music scene,”
“He was like naa because of the language barrier. I said I don’t hear language, I hear greatness. Big up my brother, you are still on my favourite emcee list.” Sarkodie wrote.
Edem, born Denning Edem Hotor, released The Volta Regime in 2009. The album boldly embraced the Ewe language and featured collaborations with top Ghanaian artists including Tinny, Kwabena Kwabena, and Jeremie Van-Garshong.
Despite initial doubts about how well Ewe rap would perform commercially, the album proved to be a major success and introduced a new wave of local-language hip-hop.
Songs like Bra Fre Me, Nyorvuviade, and the powerful Intro helped establish Edem’s lyrical prowess and cemented his place as a unique voice in the Ghanaian music industry.
At a time when the local scene was dominated by Twi and Ga-speaking rappers, Edem’s success broke barriers and made it clear that talent speaks louder than language.
His impact opened doors for more linguistic diversity in hiplife and hip-hop music across the country.
Sarkodie’s tribute is especially meaningful because both artists emerged around the same period. Sarkodie’s own debut album Makye also dropped in 2009, and the two have long shown mutual respect for each other’s craft.
Today, over 15 years after its release, The Volta Regime continues to inspire fans and artists alike. It remains a symbol of bold originality and cultural pride.
Edem has since released several projects and remains an active voice in Ghanaian music and youth advocacy. His legacy is a reminder that true greatness is not limited by language.
