It was full of pomp, pageantry, and a display of rich culture as the Omanhen of Oguaa Traditional Area hosted the Vice president of the United States of America, Kamala Harris at the Emintsimadzi Palace on Tuesday, March 28, 2023.
The Vice President’s visit to Cape Coast was part of her three-day visit to Ghana.
Welcoming her to the region, the Central Regional Minister, Mad. Justina Marigold Assan stated that it is the hope of all that the visit will bring international recognition and also boost economic activities including tourism.
She, therefore, called for support from the US government for education and youth development programmes.
The Omanhen of Oguaa Traditional Area, Osabarima Kwesi Atta II stated that plans are advanced to put up a slave museum in Cape Coast and is hopeful that the vice president will consider making it her legacy project for the whole of Africa.
“Again just across the road here there’s a plan to build a slavery museum and we want you to be part of that. This will tell the whole story of the African transatlantic slavery trade; and if that is done, and the time comes for cutting the ribbon to declare it open, we will invite you to come and do that. At least, that will be your legacy project for the whole of Africa. And this will be a living legacy in our minds throughout ages” he said.
He also called for a stronger relationship between Cape Coast and the White House appealing that a Liaison Officer be appointed for such a relationship.
Responding to the Omanhen’s request, Vice President Kamala Harris appointed the US Ambassador to Ghana, Her Excellency Virginia Evelyn Palmer as a liaison person between Cape Coast and the White House.
“I have now appointed you, Madam Ambassador to be an official liaison to His Highness and to this extraordinary group of global leaders. And then let us figure out the next steps.”
She said she was grateful for the warm hospitality adding that good relationships are founded on trust and consistency.
“But I do appreciate the points that you have made and there is an unmistakable tie and bond and all relationships that are good relationships are founded on trust and consistency and reciprocity. And so, I appreciate the points you have made and we will follow up with your request. How could I deny a request for my host?”
Vice president Harris further stated that history must be remembered as it does not only teach about our past but about destiny and future.
She says that it must be taught with understanding adding that “we must learn from it in a way that we make the ancestors proud and understand the broad shoulders upon which we stand.”
She intimated that we use education as a way of helping people around the globe to understand connections and interdependence.
According to her, the priority given to education in the region and in Cape Coast is being recognized in the USA and beyond and must also be a priority of all.
At the cape coast castle, an emotionally-struck Kamala Harris said the horror of what happened cannot be denied as history must be learned.
She said “we don’t know the numbers who died on their way to this place, the numbers who were killed during that passage on the Atlantic. The horror of what happened here must always be remembered. It cannot be denied. It must be taught. History must be learned.”
She said Africans must be guided by what is known also to be the history of those who survived in the Americas, in the Caribbean.
She said often many situations, odds that were designed to break them, to demoralize them, to create systems and situations that were to make them feel like less than humans, less than full human beings. But yet they survived. And they tell another history, a history of endurance, a history of faith, a history in believing what is possible. A history not only that tells about the ability that each individual has to survive but to thrive. And so, all these stories must be told.
Present at the historic ceremony were the Vice-Chancellors of both the University Cape Coast and the Cape Coast Technical University, the Central Region Chamber of Commerce, the Central Regional President of the House of Chiefs, Security Agencies, heads of Churches and Secondary Schools, Cape Coast Teaching Hospital and Nursing colleges, among others.
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Source: Anthony Sasu Ayisadu/ATLFMNEWS
