Stakeholders from statutory agencies, tourism bodies and creative institutions gathered at the W.E.B. Du Bois Centre in Accra, Cantonments for a strategic breakfast meeting convened by the Du Bois Museum Foundation.

The meeting brought together representatives from across the tourism and cultural ecosystem to explore how each entity could contribute to the facelift of the historic site. It also injected clarity and collaborative energy into the proposed redevelopment of the museum complex, a project aimed at repositioning the site not just as a memorial, but as a vibrant cultural and educational destination.

Executive Director of the Centre, Japhet Aryiku, outlined the current state of redevelopment plans, including restoration of the historic bungalow, expansion of exhibition spaces, enhancement of archives and research facilities, and the creation of interpretative galleries to better tell the story of W. E. B. Du Bois and his Pan-African legacy.

Representatives from various institutions highlighted how their mandates could support the project, from marketing and tourism programming to infrastructure development, cultural heritage preservation and community engagement.

In an interview, Mr. Aryiku said the revitalised Centre would not only preserve the legacy of the renowned Pan-Africanist scholar but also serve as a living classroom where tourism meets education, research and cultural exchange.

“The tourism sector is really the driving force behind Ghana becoming so vibrant and so important to the world, so we figured that we need to partner with them, let them know what we are trying to do, our timelines and bring them into the flow because this is a whole new development,” he said.

“People come here now to visit the place but there is not too much to see. Now that we are planning to redo the place, we thought it is very important to meet the tourism players, let them know of our plans, when we are going to start and end, and how we can get their support and their members to support this initiative.”

He added that one of the Centre’s biggest challenges is raising awareness among Ghanaians and Africans about Du Bois’ significance.

“February 24 will mark 60 years since the overthrow of Kwame Nkrumah. From that period, the legacy of Du Bois has been suppressed. Many Ghanaians in their 70s do not know who he is, yet he is a very important figure in the life of Ghana and the African continent because of his advocacy for the liberation and emancipation of Africa.”

Writer: Frederick Nortey