The Gulkpe Naa, Alhaji Alhassan Abdulai, Paramount Chief of Gulkpegu Traditional Council, has commended the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) for recognizing the efforts of chieftaincy institutions and traditional authorities in preserving heritage sites.
The Gulkpe Naa made the commendation when a delegation from Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA, Ghana Tourism Development Company (GTDC), Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts (MoTCCA), and other stakeholders paid a courtesy call on him.
Wulana Alhassan Zakaria, second in command at the Gulkpe Palace, conveyed the Gulkpe Naa’s gratitude for the respect shown by the delegation, noting that their visit was a laudable gesture that demonstrated respect for the culture and tradition of the land.
The Gulkpe Naa also urged the GTA to broaden its scope to cover traditional authorities and suggested that the Authority recognize the Sakple site, a potential tourism site where slaves were kept in the past, at the national level.
“Gulkpe Naa, Alhaji Alhassan Abdulai, Paramount Chief of Gulkpegu Traditional Council would like to commend Ghana Tourism Authority and other members of the delegation for recognizing the efforts of the chieftaincy institutions and traditional authorities in preserving heritage sites”
“On behalf of the eminence, I conveyed the gratitude of Gulkpe Naa for the respect shown. Unlike others who only visit the palace when they’re in trouble, the visit to inform him of the team’s mission is laudable and a show of respect to the culture and the tradition of the land” Wulana Alhassan Zakaria said through an interpreter.
In support of the mandate of the Ghana Tourism Authority and its allied agencies, Wulana Alhassan Zakaria requested that the GTA broadened its scope to cover the traditional authorities, while suggesting a potential tourism site called “Sakple“where slaves are kept in the past to be recognized nationally as one of the heritage sites that contribute to the history of Trans-Atlantic slave trade.
In his response, Northern regional Director of Ghana Tourism Authority Angelo Yossi Dogbey acknowledged the suggestion by the Wulana Alhassan Zakaria and said his office has made an inquiry and will duly follow up to collaborate with the Gulkpe Naa’s Palace to properly recognize the “Sakple” heritage site as a national monument
On his part, the Deputy CEO of Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), in charge of Marketing and Special Duties Abeiku Aggrey Santana while conveying the gratitude of the CEO of Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), Maame Efua Houadjeto, assured the Gulkpe Naa and his elders of GTA’s preparedness to working with the traditional authorities to achieve the president’s vision of making Ghana a tourism hub under the Black Stars Experience.
“On behalf of the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts (MoTCCA), Dzifa Abla Gomashie and the CEO of GTA Honorable Maame Efua Houadjeto, I would like to express our gratitude to the paramountcy and I must say I love the beautiful culture displayed here today. And I can promise you and your elders that a team from the Black Stars Experience from the Office of the President are with us and are documenting this trip. I can assure you that all these displays of your rich culture and tradition, will be shown in the Black Stars Experience documentary”
As part of the celebration of this year’s PANAFEST and Emancipation, the delegation also visited the famous Red Clay Studios owned and operate by an indigene of the Northern Region Ibrahim Mahama. Mr. Abeiku Aggrey Santana was full of praise for the massive documentation and preserve of history by the Red Clay Studios.
Mr. Santana seized the moment to lead the delegation to tour the facility, while pledged the readiness of the Ghana Tourism Authority whenever the need arises.
