Assin manso: A historic moment unfolded at the Minta Abu Palace in the heart of Assin Manso, where pilgrims touring the slave trade routes across Ghana paid homage to the revered chiefs of the Assin Apimanim Traditional Area in the Central Region.
According to Ghana News Agency, the event was marked by a spirited demonstration of tradition and culture, with infectious smiles from the chiefs and an open appreciation for the courtesy extended to the pilgrims, mostly Africans from the diaspora. Together with officials from the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) and queen mothers, the travellers danced to the rhythms of traditional drums, creating a welcoming atmosphere.
Since Thursday, July 17, the pilgrims have been on a sacred journey of immersion, emotion, learning, reflection, and reconnection, visiting various towns and sites along the slave routes. The weeklong pilgrimage celebrates Emancipation and the Pan African Historical Theatre Festival (PANAFEST), with visits to significant places like Pikworo Slave Camp in Paga, Salaga Slave Market in Tamale, Bono Manso, and Cape Coast, among others.
The 'Nnkonsuo' (Slave river) at Assin Manso, where slaves took their last bath before being taken to Cape Coast and Elmina Castles for shipment to America and the Caribbean, left a significant emotional impact on the visitors. Mr. Gilbert Abeiku Aggrey, also known as Abeiku Santana, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GTA, led the visitors and acknowledged the significant place of Assin Manso in the dark history of slavery, expressing regret over their exclusion from PANAFEST over the years.
He mentioned that the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture was working to resuscitate and modernize the festival to enhance citizens' participation and ensure every community along the slave route benefits. Mr. Aggrey highlighted that PANAFEST, since its inception in 1992, had brought many developments and high-profile visits to Ghana, birthing several other celebrations like the Year of Return and Beyond the Return, and it must be sustained.
He added that the pilgrimage aims to expose the African Diaspora to business and investment opportunities in the communities, appealing to traditional authorities to release lands for such investments. Mr. Aggrey announced President John Dramani Mahama's participation in the grand durbar of the PANAFEST on Saturday, July 26, at the Jubilee Park in Cape Coast. Madam Ablah Dzifah Gomashie, the Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, would grace the climax of the Emancipation Day at Assin Manso on Friday, August 1, 2025.
Prof. Kobby Mensah, CEO of the Ghana Tourism Development Company in charge of the Assin Manso Slave River, said the site was under massive renovation to revamp it. He mentioned ongoing work to digitize the operations of the site to boost visits, ensure accountability in real-time, and mitigate revenue leakages in the system.
Mr. Charles Buabin, the Central Regional Director of GTA, commended the chiefs for embracing PANAFEST and noted that the festival had been expanded to include new activities to bring more fun and make it beneficial to all patrons. He was hopeful of massive developments in the communities through businesses and investments from the Africans in the Diaspora via the festival.
Nana Ofobi Ntow II, Chief of Atobease and Tufohene of the Apimanim Traditional Area, expressed gratitude to the pilgrims for their visit and readiness to offer lands for investments. "We have enough lands to give out to whoever is ready to invest here, and so we are inviting you to come," he emphasized.
