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Plans Underway to Ascertain Museum on Northern Ghana’s Slave Historical Past in Navrongo

Life Pulse Daily | January 19, 2026

Introduction

A transformative cultural initiative is currently in motion in the Upper East Region of Ghana. Plans are underway to establish the Museum of Healing and Reconciliation (MHR) in Navrongo, a significant step toward documenting the inland history of slavery and resistance in Northern Ghana and Southern Burkina Faso. This project aims to shift the historical narrative from the coastal points of embarkation to the inland heartlands where the transatlantic slave trade’s impact was first felt. By focusing on the experiences of communities that endured capture, raiding, and colonial violence, the museum seeks to foster historic justice, therapeutic, and reconciliation.

This article explores the background of the initiative, its key objectives, the selected site, and the broader implications for heritage tourism and reparative justice. It provides a comprehensive guide to understanding this vital addition to West African heritage.

Key Points

Background

The Historical Gap in Ghanaian Heritage

For decades, the narrative of the transatlantic slave trade in West Africa has been dominated by coastal fortifications. Sites like Elmina Castle in Ghana and the House of Slaves in Senegal tell the harrowing story of the “Door of No Return.” While these sites are crucial, they represent the final stage of a long and brutal journey. The inland history—the story of the initial raids, the overland marches, and the resistance within the communities of the Sahel—has remained largely untold in formal heritage frameworks.

The proposed Museum of Healing and Reconciliation addresses this gap. It is designed to serve as a repository for the histories of the Kasena-Nankana Municipal area and surrounding districts. These regions were deeply affected by the slave raiding activities that predated European coastal involvement, involving complex interactions between local kingdoms, colonial forces, and external traders.

The Visionary Behind the Initiative

The project is spearheaded by Emmanuel Agangzesum Awine, a PhD candidate at Johns Hopkins University in the United States. Awine’s academic background and personal connection to the region drive the museum’s mission. He recognizes that many diaspora visitors to Ghana encounter the history of slavery primarily through the lens of coastal dungeons, which reflect only one segment of the narrative.

Awine’s vision is to create a “living museum” that centers on the perspectives of the victims and the communities that survived. By moving the focus inland, the museum honors the ancestors’ resistance and the resilience of the communities that were raided.

Key Points of the Museum Project

Focus on Inland Communities and Resistance

The Museum of Healing and Reconciliation distinguishes itself by focusing on the “heartlands.” The transatlantic slave trade was not merely a maritime operation; it began with violent raids deep within the continent. Northern Ghana and Southern Burkina Faso were zones of significant conflict and displacement.

The MHR will document the histories of communities such as Mirigu, Zecco, Sirigu, Manyoro, Paga, Sandema, Bongo, Bolgatanga, and Gwollu. These areas, located in the Upper East and Upper West Regions, experienced the brunt of slave raiding. The museum will highlight the stories of capture, the resistance movements that sprang up, and the survival strategies employed by these communities long before enslaved people reached the coast.

Pungu Telenia: A Strategic Site

The proposed site for the museum is Pungu Telenia in Navrongo. This location was chosen for its central accessibility. It serves as a geographic hub that connects the various raided communities across the Upper Regions. By situating the museum in Navrongo, the project ensures that it remains accessible to the local populations whose history it preserves, as well as to tourists and researchers.

Analysis

Reframing Reparations and Historic Justice

The establishment of the MHR contributes significantly to the global discourse on reparations and post-slavery societies. Prof. Avea Nsoh, an Associate Professor at the University of Education, Winneba and former Upper East Regional Minister, emphasizes that the project reframes reparations as an educational and moral process. It links rigorous scholarship with community memory and global dialogue.

By preserving the specific histories of inland resistance, the museum challenges the monolithic view of African victimhood. It restores agency to the ancestors who fought back against raiders. This shift is essential for historic justice, as it acknowledges the full spectrum of the slave trade experience—from the interior to the coast.

Economic and Cultural Impact on Northern Ghana

From an economic perspective, the museum is poised to bolster heritage tourism in Northern Ghana. Currently, the majority of heritage tourism in Ghana is concentrated in the coastal regions. The MHR offers a compelling reason for tourists to venture north, thereby distributing economic benefits more equitably across the country.

Chief Alhassan Andani, former MD of Absa Bank, has noted the potential for development solutions through this initiative. By attracting international attention and diaspora visitors, the museum can stimulate local economies in Navrongo and the surrounding areas.

Community Healing and Diaspora Reconnection

For the local communities, the museum serves a therapeutic purpose. As Awine notes, raided communities have carried these stories “quietly for generations, often under the weight of pain, silence, and stigma.” The museum provides a sanctioned space for these narratives to be acknowledged openly.

For the African diaspora, the MHR offers a different path to reconnection. Instead of only seeing the dungeons where their ancestors were held, they can visit the communities from which their ancestors were taken. Joseph Weguri, an educationist in Navrongo, highlights that this recognition is crucial for understanding the full history of slavery, including the often-overlooked stages of capture and survival.

Practical Advice

For Researchers and Historians

The Museum of Healing and Reconciliation will be a vital resource for oral history and archival research. Researchers interested in the transatlantic slave trade’s inland dynamics should prepare to engage with the museum’s collection once established. The focus on Southern Burkina Faso and Northern Ghana offers a cross-border perspective on historical movements and resistance.

For Potential Visitors and Tourists

Travelers planning a trip to Ghana should consider expanding their itinerary beyond the coastal route. Visiting the Upper East Region offers a holistic view of Ghana’s history. When the museum opens its doors, it will serve as a gateway to exploring the rich cultural heritage of the Kasena-Nankana people, including their unique architecture and traditional practices.

For Stakeholders and Donors

The project invites support from academic institutions, NGOs, and private investors. Professor Asaah Mahommed of the University of Technology and Applied Sciences (UTAS) has already welcomed the idea of partnering with the institution. Potential stakeholders can look toward collaboration in areas of research, exhibition curation, and technological infrastructure.

FAQ

Conclusion

The plans underway to ascertain the Museum of Healing and Reconciliation in Navrongo represent a pivotal moment for West African heritage. By shifting the narrative from the coastal castles to the inland communities, this project promises to restore a vital chapter of history. It offers a platform for education, economic development, and, most importantly, healing.

As the project moves toward its public forum in March 2026, it stands as a testament to the power of community memory and academic rigor. The MHR will not only serve the people of Northern Ghana but will also provide a necessary homecoming destination for the African diaspora seeking to understand the full scope of their ancestry.