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Speaker of Parliament leads delegation to Du Bois Centre as Museum Foundation begins heritage restoration
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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.
A disturbing practice in which some mothers and caregivers use skin-lightening creams, harsh soaps and even pills on children in an attempt to make their skin lighter has come under strong criticism from a public health nurse.
Mr Jonathan Kwame Quarshie, a Public Health Nurse at the Ho Teaching Hospital, has cautioned mothers and caregivers to desist from bleaching the skin of children, describing the practice as unnecessary and potentially harmful to their health.
He said it was worrying that some caregivers were exposing children to cosmetic products meant to alter their natural complexion, despite the delicate nature of children’s skin.
According to him, the situation becomes even more concerning when pills or tablets are given to children with the promise that the products would make their skin lighter “from within”.
“There is no justification for giving a baby or child an unprescribed substance for cosmetic purposes,” he cautioned.
Mr Quarshie stressed that “a baby is not a beauty project” and urged parents to appreciate and protect the natural complexion of their children rather than trying to change it to conform to perceived standards of beauty.
He explained that children’s skin was delicate and could be adversely affected by inappropriate cosmetic products, particularly those containing potentially harmful substances.
Some skin-lightening products may contain substances such as mercury, hydroquinone or potent corticosteroids, which could cause skin irritation, damage and other health complications depending on the substance and level of exposure, he said.
Of particular concern, he said, was mercury exposure, which could affect the nervous system and kidneys.
He therefore warned parents against treating children as “laboratories for beauty experiments” and urged them to consider the long-term health implications of exposing children to unnecessary chemicals and medicines.
Mr Quarshie said children did not need to have lighter skin to be considered beautiful, adding that what they needed was love, acceptance, proper nutrition, safe, age-appropriate skincare and appropriate medical care when necessary.
He advised parents whose children had skin conditions, unusual pigmentation, persistent rashes or other skin concerns to consult qualified health professionals rather than attempting to lighten or treat their skin with unprescribed products.
He also urged caregivers who had already used skin-lightening products on their children to stop further use and seek medical advice, particularly where a child developed irritation, swelling, skin thinning, changes in skin colour or other unusual symptoms.
He said it was worrying that children, particularly girls, were increasingly facing pressure to conform to certain standards of beauty from an early age.
He appealed to parents and families to create an environment in which children would grow up appreciating their natural appearance and understanding that their skin colour was not a problem that needed to be corrected.
“Every shade deserves protection. Every child deserves safe care,” he said, urging society to focus on protecting the health, dignity and wellbeing of children rather than changing their natural complexion.
He said children needed protection, not bleaching.
From Ama Tekyiwaa Ampadu Agyeman, Koforidua
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TRADERS of foodstuffs such as tomatoes, cassava, plantain and pepper are overwhelmed by the significant drop in prices across various markets and are urging customers to visit the markets to buy.
The development has come as a big relief to families who visit the markets for these essential ingredients used in daily food preparation.
When The Spectator visited markets around Accra Central, Agbogbloshie and Kingsway, among others, tomatoes had flooded every inch of space and were being sold at very affordable prices.
The situation was the same for other foodstuffs, including plantain, cassava and pepper.
The items were being sold at affordable prices as traders chased buyers.
Interacting with some traders, they said the abundance of foodstuffs had increased patronage at the various markets, with customers buying in large quantities.
With a budget of GH¢300, they claimed, one could buy enough foodstuffs to feed a family at home.
A trader, Esther Nyarko, told The Spectator that prices had reduced significantly and advised members of the public to buy in large quantities for storage.
“Cassava, for instance, can be cut into pieces and stored in a freezer. It can also be ground and processed into powder. In the same way, other foodstuffs can be stored in freezers so that when the season ends, people will have some to fall back on,” she said.
According to the traders, the current abundance of seasonal foodstuffs would not last forever, adding that scarcity could follow the harvest period.
Rose Nyarko, a trader at Agbogbloshie Market, said the abundance of tomatoes, pepper, onions and other vegetables was encouraging, adding that the lower prices were prompting customers to buy more.
Ms Anita Abban, a market woman at Kingsway, said farmers deserved commendation for making the foodstuffs available. She urged the government to support storage and transportation to prevent produce from going to waste.
A third trader, Maame Akua, told The Spectator that the development, coming after a period of vegetable scarcity, had brought joy to many people. She added that consumers were buying more than they needed in order to store some for future use.
A customer, Aunty Esi, said, “I came to buy foodstuffs for my family. I was surprised by the quantity available. There is no shortage, so I believe consumers should take advantage of the situation.”
Ms Rebecca Kumi said the variety of foodstuffs available was encouraging.
“The variety is good. You can find plantain, cassava, yam, tomatoes, pepper and other foodstuffs in large quantities. It makes shopping easier, and they are cheap. I wish it remains so for a long time,” she said.
By Linda Abrefi Wadie
