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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.
President John Dramani Mahama has cautioned that the rapid growth of Artificial Intelligence (AI) could worsen the spread of misinformation across the world if not managed responsibly.
Speaking at the International Conference on Information Integrity in Paris, the President said AI tools such as deepfakes and synthetic media are increasingly being used to manipulate information and distort public perception.
He warned that the misuse of AI poses a serious threat to democracy, public health, and global stability, adding that protecting information integrity must be treated with the same urgency as national security and economic development.
“We are back to win the global war against misinformation and disinformation. Disinformation is not an abstract issue, it shapes elections, distorts public health responses, fuels conflict, and undermines the fight against climate change,” he pointed out.
President Mahama said false information continues to erode public confidence in science and government policy, even a decade after the signing of the Paris Climate Accord.
He noted that while AI presents huge opportunities for innovation and growth, it must be used responsibly to ensure that technological progress builds, rather than destroys, public trust.
“Our collective task must be to harness AI responsibly, promote transparency, and ensure that technology strengthens, not weakens, our societies,” he said.
The conference brought together world leaders, media experts, and technology innovators to discuss ways to protect information integrity and strengthen democracy in the digital age.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) has announced a city-wide clean-up exercise scheduled for Saturday, November 1, 2025, as part of efforts to promote cleanliness and public health in the metropolis.
The exercise, which starts at 6:00 a.m., forms part of the government’s vision to undertake monthly nationwide clean-up activities.
It is expected to bring together residents, traders, and transport operators to help make Kumasi cleaner and more environmentally friendly.
According to the Assembly, the clean-up will focus on key parts of the Central Business District and surrounding areas.
The operational zones include Zoo Roundabout through Pampaso to Otumfuo Roundabout, Otumfuo Roundabout through Acheamfour Market, MTN Roundabout to St. Louis College, Otumfuo Roundabout to Dr. Mensah, Boss FM through Central Market, Asafo Interchange, and Asafo Market stretch, as well as Roman Hill Down through Aboabo Station to Alabar.
During the exercise, all trading activities and vehicular movement within these areas will be suspended to ensure smooth operations.
The KMA urged all traders, commercial drivers, and residents to comply with the directive and actively take part in cleaning their surroundings.
The Assembly announced that if traders and shop owners participate fully, the exercise will end at 11:00 a.m.
However, those who fail to take part will have their shops and trading activities remain closed until 2:00 p.m.
By: Jacob Aggrey
