The Mfantseman-Saltpond Development Alliance (MSDA) has proposed the establishment of a National Political History and Heritage Centre in Saltpond, Ghana. This centre aims to preserve Ghana's political and nationalist heritage, serving as a hub for learning, research, civic education, and heritage tourism. MSDA President Ernest De-Graft Egyir made this call at a Founders' Day commemoration press conference and procession in Saltpond.
The proposed centre should document Ghana's journey from colonial rule to self-government and independence, highlighting the contributions of political movements, traditional authorities, communities, and ordinary citizens. Saltpond's association with historic nationalist movements and sites such as Canaan Lodge makes it an important location for preserving and interpreting the country's political history. Egyir emphasized that the centre should not be conceived merely as another museum but as a national centre for learning, remembrance, research, tourism, and civic education.
MSDA, together with private investors, has invested GH¢15 million in Saltpond to develop modern hotels and other services, aiming to attract investment and position Saltpond as a tourism destination. This investment is part of a broader drive to turn the town's historical heritage into opportunities for tourism, education, enterprise, employment, and community development. Egyir called for collaboration among government, traditional authorities, the private sector, and other stakeholders to transform Saltpond's historical assets into sustainable tourism and economic opportunities.
The Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Gilbert Abeiku Aggrey, who chaired the event, also called for a deliberate framework to preserve and develop Saltpond's historic sites as heritage tourism attractions. He identified the UGCC and CPP headquarters, Hammond Hall, Canaan Lodge, and Convention House as important components of Saltpond's political heritage. Aggrey proposed a Saltpond Heritage Preservation and Development Framework, anchored on documentation, investment, and professional heritage management.
Alimatu-Sadia Yussif, Chief Executive Officer of Alisad Travels, announced her company's commitment to restoring Canaan Lodge as part of efforts to revive Saltpond's political heritage. The historic building, where a meeting was held in April 1947 to deliberate on Ghana's economic and political future, deserves to be restored and developed into a major heritage tourism attraction. Yussif urged individuals, businesses, and other stakeholders to support the revival of Saltpond's heritage, stressing that preserving the town's history is a collective responsibility.
The Chief of Saltpond-Bakado, Nana Gyan Akwanda VII, and the Paramount Chief of the Nkusukum Traditional Area, Okogyeman Nana Okesse Essandoh IX, also emphasized the need to preserve Saltpond's heritage sites for the benefit of the community. They called for sustained Founders' Day celebrations and increased private-sector investment, highlighting the importance of collaboration among government, traditional authorities, and businesses to turn Saltpond's political heritage into lasting educational, tourism, and economic opportunities.
MSDA President Ernest De-Graft Egyir also appealed to President John Dramani Mahama to fulfil his pledge to host the national Founders' Day celebration in Saltpond. Egyir and Okogyeman Nana Okesse Essandoh IX advocated for Saltpond to become the permanent host of the national Founders' Day celebration, which would sustain national attention on the town's contribution to Ghana's political history and strengthen efforts to preserve its historic sites.
Key points
- The proposed National Political History and Heritage Centre in Saltpond aims to preserve Ghana's political and nationalist heritage.
- MSDA has invested GH¢15 million in Saltpond to develop modern hotels and other services.
- Stakeholders call for collaboration to turn Saltpond's historical assets into sustainable tourism and economic opportunities.
