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Speaker of Parliament leads delegation to Du Bois Centre as Museum Foundation begins heritage restoration
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, on Monday, February 9, 2026, led a high-level delegation on a working visit to the W.E.B. Du Bois Memorial Centre for Pan-African Culture in Cantonments, Accra, following a formal invitation by the W.E.B. Du Bois Museum Foundation.
The delegation was received by the Foundation’s Executive Director, Japhet Aryiku, who led engagements outlining the Foundation’s mandate and the next phase of work at the Centre, including restoration, preservation, and long-term institutional development plans.
The visit coincides with the commencement of a new phase of restoration and transformation efforts at the Du Bois Centre, following the Government of Ghana’s mandate granting the Foundation stewardship and operational management of the site.
These efforts form part of a long-term programme to preserve and advance the legacy of W.E.B. Du Bois through the development of a world-class museum, research, and cultural complex.
A Visit of Memory, Commitment, and National Purpose
During the tour and subsequent media engagement, the Right Honourable Speaker described the visit as both reflective and deeply affirming of Ghana’s responsibility to Pan-African history and identity.
Speaking as a student of history, he underscored the Du Bois Centre as a repository of Africa’s intellectual memory and a foundational site in the continent’s journey toward self-definition and liberation.
He emphasized that history remains essential to wisdom and national progress, noting that Africa’s future must be firmly anchored in an understanding of its past, cultural identity, and intellectual inheritance.
The Speaker described the transformation of the Du Bois Centre as a potential global turning point for Pan-African scholarship and engagement, and reaffirmed his full support for the project.
He further pledged his personal commitment and encouraged broad institutional and public support for the Foundation’s vision.
Restoration and Institutional Development
In outlining the scope of work, the Executive Director explained that the immediate phase will focus on the careful restoration of Dr. Du Bois’ historic bungalow, returning it to its original character with sensitive modernization.
Restoration works are expected to commence in April 2026, with the restored bungalow projected to be dedicated in February 2027.
Beyond the bungalow, the Executive Director detailed plans for a comprehensive museum complex that will include a new exhibition museum chronicling the ninety-five-year life and work of Dr. Du Bois; a research library housing rare books, manuscripts, and archival materials; a scholars’ residence for visiting researchers from across the world; performance and cultural spaces for Pan-African artistic expression; and a new mausoleum to honour Dr. Du Bois and his wife, Shirley Graham Du Bois.
He noted that the project represents not only a heritage intervention, but a long-term investment in education, research, and global Pan-African cultural exchange.
Exhibition and Archival Preservation Efforts
As part of the visit, the delegation was taken through The Du Boises in Ghana exhibition, which documents the lives and work of Dr. W.E.B. Du Bois and Shirley Graham Du Bois during their years in Ghana.
The exhibition highlights their intellectual, cultural, and political contributions, and situates Ghana as a central space in their Pan-African journey.
The delegation also inspected the Centre’s archival holdings, including Dr. Du Bois’ personal library, manuscripts, academic robes, and rare publications.
The Executive Director outlined ongoing book preservation and digitisation efforts aimed at safeguarding these materials, many of which are fragile due to age and environmental exposure.
He noted that the Foundation is investing in professional conservation training, restoration partnerships, and modern archival systems to ensure long-term access for researchers, students, and the public.
Government Support and National Significance
The Honourable Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, who joined the delegation, described the visit as both professionally and personally significant.
She expressed appreciation to the Speaker, the Foundation, and the President of the Republic of Ghana for supporting the agreement that formally transferred stewardship of the Du Bois Centre from the Ministry to the W.E.B. Du Bois Museum Foundation.
She highlighted the importance of positioning Dr. Du Bois alongside Kwame Nkrumah and George Padmore as Ghana’s Pan-African giants, noting that their legacies must be preserved and presented with equal dignity as Ghana consolidates its role as a global hub of Pan-Africanism.
Also present at the visit were other notable guests, including Fritz Baffour, a former Minister for Tourism, and Seth Ocran, President of the Ghana Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Association (GHATOF), underscoring the tourism and hospitality sector’s interest in and alignment with the Centre’s restoration and redevelopment agenda.
Stakeholder Engagement and Next Steps
As part of the restoration process, the Foundation will announce the temporary closure of the Du Bois bungalow to allow for careful conservation works to begin.
This initial phase marks a critical step toward safeguarding the historic fabric of the site while laying the foundation for future development.
In recognition of the national significance of the project, formal invitations have been extended to H.E. President John Dramani Mahama; H.E. Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang; the Chief of Staff; the entire Cabinet; and the Chief Justice.
The Speaker’s visit forms part of the Foundation’s broader stakeholder engagement efforts aimed at fostering transparency, national ownership, and institutional collaboration as restoration works begin and long-term development plans are rolled out.
About the W.E.B. Du Bois Museum Foundation
The W.E.B. Du Bois Museum Foundation remains committed to preserving the historical integrity of the Du Bois Memorial Centre while positioning it as a living Pan-African space for education, research, and cultural exchange for generations to come.
The Ghana Tourism Development Company, GTDC, under the leadership of Prof.Kobby Mensah has launched GTDC Campus Tourism Office at the University of Ghana.
The initiative aims to promote educational and domestic tourism by providing structured campus tour experiences showcasing key heritage sites, including the Archaeology Museum and the School of Performing Arts.
It will also offer students their first travel experience across the continent and inculcate in them love to visit Ghana’s heritage sites.
Addressing the gathering at the launch yesterday, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, described tourism as a vehicle for education and heritage preservation, stressing that the sector must inspire citizens to value and protect national culture for future generations.
The minister highlighted tourism’s connection to disciplines such as history, the arts, economics and environmental science.
The minister further noted that the private sector is the engine of tourism economy, adding that the engines require fuel, which is talents.” by investing in these young people today, you are securing the quality, the innovation and competitiveness of our own industry for tomorrow.
She added that the establishment of the office represents a deliberate investment in the intellectual capital of the country.
The GTDC boss, Prof.Kobby Mensah, said,”at GTDC, we believe that if our tourism has to be sustainable, we have to promote domestic tourism and a very big part of it is getting students to appreciate tourism and helping them to organise tours.”
He added that the University of Ghana itself is a huge heritage site which must be explored.
Prof.Kobby Mensah noted that the initiative, which is one of many to be established across the country, is a joint partnership between GTDC and University of Ghana.
The Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof.Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, said the University is a custodian of heritage which goes beyond the structures and welcomed the establishment of the first Campus Tourism Office.
She was optimistic that the office would be put to good use to achieve the intended purpose.
The launch brought together Stakeholders reaffirming their commitment to nurturing future tourism and hospitality professionals.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Ghana has officially accepted an invitation to serve as Guest Country at Burkina Faso’s 22nd National Culture Week in Bobo-Dioulasso from April 22 to May 2, 2026.
The invitation was extended by Burkina Faso’s Minister of Communication, Culture, Arts and Tourism, Gilbert Noël Ouédraogo, accompanied by the Ambassador of Burkina Faso to Ghana, H.E. David Kabré.
Receiving the delegation, Abla Dzifa Gomashie reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to deepening cultural diplomacy and strengthening historic ties between the two nations.
She noted that the festival will create opportunities for young creatives, expand exhibition platforms and promote commercial exchange within the creative sector.
The event will feature cultural performances, a community village and gastronomy fair, an arts market, literary engagements, and a craft and trade fair.
Ghana’s participation is expected to further strengthen bilateral relations between John Dramani Mahama and Ibrahim Traoré, while fostering collaboration within the creative ecosystems of both countries.
