Emancipation Day must inspire action, not just celebration — PAYOM Chairman

The Chairman of the Paga Youth Movement (PAYOM) and Chief Executive Officer of Kacstone Records, Mr. Aborah Wenawome, has called on Ghanaians and the global African diaspora to ensure that the annual Emancipation Day celebration goes beyond symbolic remembrance and becomes a catalyst for meaningful development, heritage preservation, and economic transformation.

Speaking at the 2026 Emancipation Day Celebration held at the historic Pikworo Slave Camp in Nania, Paga, Mr. Wenawome stressed that the commemoration should inspire concrete action aimed at preserving history while improving the lives of communities that host some of Ghana's most significant heritage sites.

"Let this Emancipation Day celebration not be just an annual event. It should be a call to action,” he urged, emphasizing the need for stakeholders to translate the spirit of remembrance into sustainable development initiatives.

The event, organised under the national theme "Reconnecting Roots, Celebrating Freedom, Experience Ghana," brought together traditional authorities, government officials, members of the African diaspora, youth groups, tourism stakeholders, and community leaders to honour the resilience of Africans who suffered under the transatlantic slave trade while celebrating freedom and reconnecting descendants with their ancestral roots.

Mr. Wenawome noted that Paga possesses enormous tourism and investment potential, citing attractions such as the Pikworo Slave Camp, the famous Paga Crocodile Pond, and other cultural landmarks that continue to attract both local and international visitors. He argued that preserving these sites must go hand in hand with investments that improve livelihoods and create opportunities for young people.

He reiterated that the annual celebration should serve as a platform to promote infrastructure development, heritage conservation, youth empowerment, and increased tourism investment in the Upper East Region. According to him, greater collaboration among government agencies, traditional authorities, development partners, and the diaspora is essential to unlocking the region's full economic potential.

The PAYOM Chairman has consistently advocated for projects that would strengthen tourism in the region. Earlier this month, he appealed to the government to expedite the proposed Upper East Regional Airport, establish a modern museum at the Pikworo Slave Camp, and revive plans for an inland port, arguing that such investments would significantly enhance heritage tourism and economic growth.

Mr. Wenawome further encouraged young people to take ownership of their cultural heritage by participating actively in initiatives that preserve historical sites and promote Ghana's rich history to future generations.

The Pikworo Slave Camp, one of Ghana's most important inland slave route sites, remains a powerful symbol of remembrance and resilience. Built in the early 18th century, it served as a transit point where enslaved Africans were held before being marched south to coastal slave castles for shipment across the Atlantic. Today, it stands as an important destination for heritage tourism and diaspora reconnection.