Unveiling untold stories: Exhibition sheds light on trans-atlantic slave trade legacies

Slavery, a haunting chapter of history, has long been rec¬ognised as an outmoded custom in today’s world.
However, the intricate details of how it unfolded in Ghana is often overshadowed by a repetitive nar¬rative involving European countries’ trade with African nations.
To rekindle awareness of this forgotten past, the “Danmarks frie forskningfond,” an independent research fund in Denmark, has or¬chestrated an exhibition that delves into the history of slavery between Africa and the Caribbean—specifi¬cally the Trans-Atlantic slave trade.
At the inauguration of the event, Professor Mads Anders Bagges¬gaad articulated the exhibition’s purpose, emphasising its role in fostering collaboration between local researchers and international partners.
Dubbed “Authoring Slavery: Blind Spots,” the exhibition aims to cast a spotlight on overlooked aspects of the transatlantic slave trade.
As the exhibit unfolded, guests were moved by a recorded poem penned by Kofi Anyidoho.
The poem pays tribute to the souls lost during the brutal slave trade, honouring their tireless struggle to restore Africa’s dignity in the 20th century.
A Post-Doctoral Research Fellow from the University of Hull in the United Kingdom, Dr. Cassandra Gooptar took the stage to explore the enduring legacies of enslave¬ment and restorative justice.
She discussed the socio-political dimensions of the trans-atlantic slave trade, emphasising its lasting impact on contemporary society.
Dr. Gooptar highlighted the rele¬vance of modern day slavery, par¬ticularly in societies like the United Kingdom, where racial divisions persist and education often omits critical historical events.
The exhibition’s significance ex¬tended to its exploration of critical blind spots in the study of slavery.
Dr. Isabel Robinson underscored the importance of raising the profile of black history and addressing overlooked issues related to slavery.
Meanwhile, Dr. Emmanuel Sab¬oro’s presentation delved into the ethno-racial differences and colo¬nial effects that continue to shape Ghana.
He shed light on the term ‘Donkor’ which signifies captivity in northern Ghana, and discussed how ethnicity and skin color continue to influence identity perceptions.
The “Authoring Slavery: Blind Spots” exhibition successfully re¬vitalised the discourse around the trans-atlantic slave trade, shed¬ding light on hidden narratives and inspiring conversations about the enduring impact of historical injus¬tice on today’s world.

By George Obeng Osei