WR Ready To Showcase Golden Jubilee

THE Western Regional Office of the Public Records and Archives Administration Department (PRAAD) says it has set in motion processes to showcase the region in its historical perspective.
This is part of its contribution to the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Ghana’s Independence.
According to PRAAD, the year 2007 was important on the historical calendar of Ghana since it would mark the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade of which the region was one of the focal points in the country.
The Chief Records Officer of PRAAD in the region, Mr Joseph Justice Turton Mensah told the Times last Friday that the region played a very significant role in the independence of Ghana.
'Ghana was the first country of the Sahara to gain independence, something which set ablaze independent struggles in Africa and elsewhere.
'In all these, the Western Region had a spiritual role to play, when in the mid-20th century one of the most illustrious sons of the region, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah of blessed memory declared on March 6, 1957, that 'The Independence of Ghana is meaningless unless it is linked up with the total liberation of Africa.'
Mr Mensah said that it was for this reason that the PRAAD would showcase the Western Region with emphasis on the districts, traditional authorities, public institutions, private individuals and friends of the region.
He explained that PRAAD had already gone round all the district assemblies to collect pictures of all former heads including that of public institutions up to the present time. He said that the PRAAD would also collect historical text of the assemblies.
According to Mr Mensah, documents and photographs of some paramount chiefs from the past to the present would be featured in the exhibition.
'The present is taking inspiration from the past so that people will appreciate what is happening today,' he said.
Another aspect of the Western Region which would be featured, he said were documentaries on mines dating from the colonial days through independence up to today.
Mr Mensah who is also the Regional Archivist told the Times that the history of the University of Mines and Technology (Umat) would also be featured in the exhibition.
'The photographs of all military leaders who were in one government or the other and served as commanders at the Second Infantry Brigade (2BN) will also be displayed', he said.
These, he said, included Major N. A. Odartey Wellington, Lt. Col. F. A. Baidoo, Brig. A. A. Afrifa, Lt. Gen. E. K. Kotoka, Lt. Col. Utuka, Lt. Gen. N. A. Aferi, Chief of Defence Staff in the Nkrumah government. The prison notes of Dr Kwame Nkrumah will also be featured, he said.
So far, 227 records have been collated and about 140 are yet to be received, Mr Mensah said.