Museums and Monuments Board to roll out Commercial Archeology concept
The Board Chairman of the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board(GMMB), Mr Kwame Sowu has disclosed that the Board has concluded preparatory works on the establishment of an International Science and Technology Exhibition Centre at the Museum of Science and Technology in Accra.
The initiative, he mentioned would be carried out in collaboration with local and international scientific organisation to showcase notable global inventions for educational and recreational purposes.
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Mr Sowu spoke exclusively with the Graphic Showbiz at the inauguration of a 12-member committee on Museums and Monuments commissioned to propose new policies for the governance, and organisation of the GMMB today, October 29 at the Accra Tourist Information Centre.
He also pointed out that the Board has completed modalities to host and offer free spaces to artists, artistes, photographers, and various craftsmen for pop-up events at its facilities such as museums, forts and castles throughout the country.
“In order to create and deepen Ghana’s heritage industry, the GMMB will by the middle of 2021 finalise policy modalities to roll out the concept of Commercial Archaelogy in Ghana.
“The concept will facilitate the establishment of Heritage Impact Assessment businesses and a regulated archaeological excavation regime where licensed individuals can excavate heritage related objects for educational, tourism and other commercial purposes,” he stated.
The newly inaugurated committee instituted by President Nana Akufo Addo is made up of Professor Edward Ayensu(Chairman) Nana Ofori Atta Ayim, Kwasi Adi-Dako, Dr Dickson Adom, Edith Dankwa, Kodzo Gavua, Maame Mensa-Bonsu, William Narteh Gblerkpor, William Nuaiban Gmayi, Afua Nkansah-Asamoah. D.K Osseo-Asare and Magida Peregrino-Brimah.
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The members are from diverse professional backgrounds and are expected to bring their experience and expertise in the fields of architecture, organisational restructuring, finance, archaeology, art history, education among others.
In her key note address, the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Barbara Oteng Gyasi who inaugurated the Committee said Ghana is endowed with heritage resources and holds a unique position among African countries due to its geographic location, history and leadership.
The leadership, she stated is evident in Ghana being among the first African countries to institute Museums and Monuments Board as far back as 1957 towards the preservation of her heritage.
She said heritage, arts and culture were the very roots of a nation’s psyche and the inauguration of the President’s Museum and Monuments Committee is another indication of the commitment of government to the preservation of the heritage, arts and culture of the country.
“Ghana has a strong competitive edge with heritage resources scattered across the country. Like sleeping giants, these resources await their identification and preservation for future generations, as well as effective utilisation.
“The task ahead is not an easy one considering the amount of work that needs to be done. Nevertheless, I am confident looking at the wealth of knowledge and expertise collectively held by the eminent members of the 12-member committee appointed by His Excellency, the President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo,” she stated.
In a brief statement, Professor Ayensu said the duty of the new committee was not to investigate the operations of the Ghana Museums and Monument Board(GMMB) but to provide it with good policies.
