Renowned lawyer and historian, Professor Yaw Anokye Frimpong, has commended the Member of Parliament for Ahanta West, Mavis Kuukua Bissue, for spearheading the Ahanta Heritage Month initiative, describing it as a historic step toward preserving the rich cultural heritage of the Ahanta people and drawing national and international attention to the historical injustices they endured.
According to Prof. Frimpong, the initiative is the first of its kind since Ghana attained independence and deserves widespread recognition for its role in documenting the history of the Ahanta people while promoting unity and development within the traditional area.
Speaking to 1960news.com on the sidelines of the launch of Ahanta Heritage Month, Prof. Frimpong praised the lawmaker for what he described as her visionary leadership and commitment to ensuring that the story of the Ahanta people is not forgotten.
He described Mavis Kuukua Bissue as a hardworking and determined leader whose efforts deserve national recognition.
“Since Ghana gained independence, we have not had any Member of Parliament initiate such a programme to acknowledge and celebrate the history, culture and heritage of the Ahanta people. Today, we have this young and hardworking MP who has taken that bold step,” he said.
Prof. Frimpong argued that the Ahanta West legislator should be honoured for her efforts, insisting that she deserves an award for conceptualising and championing the initiative.
“I think she deserves an award for this achievement. I dare say that if, at the end of the year, ministers, MPs and other government appointees are recognised for outstanding service, it should start with Mavis Kuukua Bissue,” he stated.
The historian expressed confidence that Ahanta Heritage Month would become a powerful platform for promoting the history and identity of the Ahanta people while encouraging the government to prioritise development in the Western Region.
He noted that the initiative would also strengthen efforts to seek justice for King Badu Bonsu, whose execution and subsequent treatment, he said, symbolised the brutality of European slavery and colonialism in Africa.
Prof. Frimpong further lamented what he described as the longstanding neglect of the Western Region despite its enormous contribution to Ghana’s economy through mining, agriculture, fishing, tourism and other natural resources.
He called on successive governments to invest heavily in road infrastructure, particularly roads linking key historical and tourism destinations across the region.
He cited Princes Town, home to the historic Gross Friedrichsburg Castle—the only former German-built castle in Africa—as well as Butre, Busua, Nzulezu and Nkroful, the birthplace of Ghana’s first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, as communities with enormous tourism potential that continue to suffer because of poor road networks.
“The Western Region contributes significantly to Ghana’s economy, yet many of its important historical and tourism sites remain inaccessible because of bad roads. This situation is unfair and must be corrected,” he stressed.
While describing the people of the Western Region as peaceful, tolerant and patriotic, Prof. Frimpong cautioned against taking their patience for granted.
He urged the government to ensure that the region receives its fair share of national development through improved infrastructure, tourism investment and equitable distribution of national resources.
According to him, Ahanta Heritage Month should go beyond cultural celebrations and become a national platform for acknowledging the sacrifices and historical struggles of the Ahanta people.
He maintained that the initiative presents an opportunity for Ghana and the international community to recognise the historical injustices suffered by King Badu Bonsu and the Ahanta Kingdom while promoting reconciliation, justice and sustainable development across the Western Region.
Prof. Frimpong expressed optimism that the annual celebration would not only preserve the cultural identity of the Ahanta people for future generations but also attract greater attention to the region’s rich history, tourism potential and development needs.
By 1960news.com
