The Pikworo Heritage and Slave Camp, located at Nania near Paga in the Kassena-Nankana West District of the Upper East Region, is set to attract more tourists and boost the local economy following its recent redevelopment, commissioned by the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA).

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The refurbishment project includes the construction of a perimeter wall, frontage, summer huts, washrooms, and an administration block with a waiting area, reception, manager’s room, and a souvenirs display room. Remaining works include fencing, a graveyard, and landscaping.

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This initiative is part of the broader effort by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, through the GTA, to beautify tourist sites across the country, particularly those tied to the slave trade, with funding from the Tourism Development Fund.

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The redevelopment aims to preserve the history and heritage of the region, attract more visitors, and act as a catalyst for job creation and socioeconomic development, especially for local communities.

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At the commissioning ceremony, Mr. Benjamin Anane, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of GTA in charge of General Services, emphasised that the government is committed to redeveloping all of the country’s tourist sites to boost visitation and revenue.

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"Tourism is one of the major foreign exchange earners of countries globally due to its value chain linkages," he noted. He called for strategic investment in the tourism sector to ensure its sustainable development.

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“Ghana is the leading tourist destination in West Africa, but on a global scale, it is not particularly exciting because we are number eight in Sub-Saharan Africa, and our target is to get to the top five in the next five years,” Mr. Anane added.

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He stressed that achieving this goal would require collective efforts from communities, traditional authorities, local governance structures, and the GTA to identify potential tourist sites and products, and invest sustainably in their development.

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"Every country has a strong point... in Ghana, it is a mix-bag of many things, but strong among them is our connection to the African diaspora through the Atlantic slave trade," he explained. “Heritage sites such as this become important to sustain the diversity of interest in our tourism and also encourage domestic tourists to actively engage and explore the country.”

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Mr. Wisdom Ahadzi, Upper East Regional Director of GTA, reinforced the idea that tourism development requires a collective approach. He urged the community to take ownership of the site and contribute to realizing its full benefits.

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Mr. Gerard Ataogye, District Chief Executive of Kassena-Nankana West, praised the government for its investment in the Pikworo Heritage and Slave Camp, noting that it would help increase visitation, boost the local economy, and create jobs for the youth. He called for private partnerships to further develop other local attractions, such as the crocodile ponds and Kukla shrine, to drive economic growth.

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Pe Asangchera Thomas Aluah, Divisional Chief of Kazigu, representing Pe Pwanalonga Charles Awiah Awampaga II, Paramount Chief of the Paga Traditional Area, highlighted the historical significance of the Pikworo Slave and Heritage Camp. He encouraged the public to visit the site and learn more about the history of the slave trade.

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A five-member committee was inaugurated to oversee the operations of the newly refurbished site, ensuring its long-term success as a tourism hub.

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