Snap Up Your Share of Ghana’s Treasures

Accra, May 12, 2012: UNESCO is launching on 28 May 2012, a captivating, 108-page full-colour pictorial book entitled “A Panorama of Ghana's Heritage” at the National Theatre at 09h30. This is a UNESCO and Ministry of Tourism initiative supported by the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Culture and the Embassy of Spain.

Take a tour down the living and cultural heritage memory lane of Ghana in “A Panorama of Ghana's Heritage”. The brand new publication offers a fascinating insight into the amazing and rich diversity of Ghana's cultural and natural treasures. It traces an exciting pictographic itinerary through all the regions of the nation. The treasures, which span the realms of space and time, are icons manifested through vivid images of UNESCO World heritage sites and national heritage sites, monumental and cultural expressions, artefacts and nature, technology and enterprise, communication and creativity. They convey the powerful message of cultural diversity, dialogue and development in Ghana. The publication gives a kaleidoscopic snapshot of the mix of cultures and livelihoods of the people of Ghana along the route and across the centuries. It offers the reader a rare glimpse of Ghanaians' tangible and intangible heritage. “This diversity is the hallmark of the tolerant, inclusive Ghanaian society” .

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The common thread of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade runs through the publication, interwoven with glimpses of history, living heritage, nature and creativity. Ghana, with a series of Forts and Castles inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, is the African country with the oldest and greatest number of “slave” Castles dotted along the whole length of its coastline from which slaves were shipped. The capture and forced transfer, over the centuries, of millions of Africans to other parts of the world, along with their cultural traditions, skills, creative force and general heritage, not only had a profound impact on the African continent, but ultimately left a major mark in the formation and shape of cultures and civilizations of the world. It is for these reasons that the vestiges of the slave trade era are so evocatively reflected in this book.

The conception and making of the book were initiated by UNESCO. Research and scriptwriting was masterfully executed by Prof. James Anquandah of the University of Ghana and, with the technical support of the Ministry of Tourism, stunning photography by Baptiste Dhont Farcy. The book is Sub-Saharan Publishers publication. The launch is being supported by Ghana Museums and Monuments Board and the National Commission on Culture.

In the words of Prof. Esi Sutherland-Addy “A Panorama of Ghana's Heritage is a welcome addition to a number of excellent table-top books produced about Ghana recently and adds depth and texture to the narrative about the country.”

Visitors will discover in this bilingual publication a valuable souvenir or gift to take back home with them from Ghana. A gift that showcases the nation's diverse cultural, historical and natural treasures that anyone would be proud to offer or delighted to receive. It also serve as a useful quick reference-guide book for heritage scholars, students and tour operators to access introductory information on some aspects of the Ghanaian culture. A limited stock will be available for purchase at the launch.