Tourism The world's new destination

Joseph Project A N A H G M S I R U O T Calling allDiasporan Africans The Castle, one of the major slave forts and tourist attractions, will play a huge role in The Joseph Project Joseph The in role a huge play will attractions, tourist and forts slave major the of one Castle, Coast Cape The

Prince Dennis Klintings Dennis Prince Project by the Ghanaian government, called stay back. An innovative programme launched able to do so, can now have no more excuses to to return to the motherland but have not been Diasporan Africans , is all that they need to return home. who have yearned for years reports from . T The project is being jointly funded by funded jointly being is The project World Heritage Property and amajor and World Property Heritage via an innovative innovative an via United Nations Educational, Cultural Cultural Educational, Nations United World Nations United Tourism UNESCO. Project Project women. Ministry of Tourism and Diasporan of Tourism Diasporan and Ministry Relations in collaboration with the the with collaboration in Relations Diaspora. Diaspora. that colonial castles and forts are are forts and castles colonial that show Statistics attraction. tourism and UNWTO government, the the through government Ghanaian the lived later who people, His troubles. adversity. over all triumphed into sold was who Joseph Biblical the of story the from inspiration takes re-enacting the sordid chattel slavery chattel sordid the re-enacting Organisation (UNWTO) and the the and (UNWTO) Organisation in captivity in Egypt, finally returned returned finally Egypt, in captivity in brethren for selling him into slavery, into him for selling brethren home in triumph as free men and menand free as triumph home in courts of the Pharoahs, forgave his forgave his Pharoahs, of the courts especially Africans at home and in the the in at home and Africans especially tourism after sought most one of the slavery in Egypt by his brethren but brethren by his Egypt in slavery seeks to turn a painful past into a into past apainful turn to seeks and its devastating effects on mankind, mankind, on effects devastating its and world. the in attractions (UNESCO). Organisation Scientific and of times their in them helped and The Joseph Project The Joseph Joseph became a noble man in the the in anoble man became Joseph Its benefits are enormous, as it enormous, are Its benefits is basically Ghana’s role in lead basically is Africans in the Diaspora Diaspora the in Africans (MOTDR) has drawn an an (MOTDR) drawn has Ghana as the homeland for homeland the as Ghana he Ministry of Tourism he Ministry elaborate plan to establish establish to plan elaborate and Diasporan Relations Relations Diasporan and Joseph Project Joseph The Joseph Joseph The was initiated by initiated was The Joseph The Joseph , which , which “Emancipation Day” to be celebrated celebrated be to Day” “Emancipation The The The Ghana government, therefore, therefore, government, Ghana The Akwaaba, Anyemi programme of programme Anyemi Akwaaba, the in activity lead It the is Accra. through going of them many , African peoples everywhere were everywhere peoples African worldwide. Africans by Ghana's laid foundations Africanist Trade, to celebrate “African excellence”. “African Trade, celebrate to what we now call the . Diaspora. African the we nowwhat call was a definition of failure and ugliness. and failure of adefinition was Americas, the in slaves African when President took these these took Rawlings Jerry President Diasporan Relations (MOTDR) aimed (MOTDR) aimed Relations Diasporan Nkrumah and his outreach to Africans Africans to outreach his and Nkrumah first president, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Osagyefo president, first the Ghana Ministry of Tourism and Ministry Ghana the Ghanaian the dotting castles slave the the abolition of the Transatlantic Slave Transatlantic of the abolition the positive. on the embark and negative the would strengths and spirit positive their got their elsewhere and the from the motherland into slavery in the the in slavery into motherland the from freedom. return to the land of their ancestors. ancestors. of their land the to return invitation to Diasporan Africans to to Africans Diasporan to invitation intends to use the 50th anniversary anniversary 50th the use to intends it launched when further astep ideas mother the to return to Diaspora the in be released in a focused manner to to manner afocused in released be home or in the Diaspora. Diaspora. the home or in harsh on and its peoples, peoples, its and on Africa harsh of image the and Africa help rebuild coast. Their descendants are part of part are descendants Their coast. coincides with the 200th anniversary of anniversary 200th the with coincides be to masters slave by their conditioned development. its help in and continent one for all Africans – whether living at living –whether Africans one for all in ministers tourism of African ameeting during 2007 February on 15 of the country's independence, which which independence, country's of the self loathing, to see everything African African everything see to loathing, self at reestablishing the African nation as as nation African the at reestablishing as the following lamentations of lamentations following the as Africa that believe to and negative, as that so peoples African the unite and day of the commemoration in annually The project was formally launched launched formally was The project The time has come to put an endan to come to put has time The pan- the around is built The project The Joseph Project Project The Joseph Transatlantic slavery was quite quite was slavery Transatlantic Joseph Project Project Joseph Millions of Africans were taken were taken of Africans Millions In 1994, the government of government the 1994, In Over the four centuries of slavery, centuries four the Over is, therefore, Ghana’s therefore, is, aims to reconcile reconcile to aims

A N A H G M S I R U O T Africans (atAfricans home and in the Diaspora) land the in Ajumako and Asikuma Liverpool, 1994. Liverpool, 1837. we were bought, but not that we were but not that we were bought, that remember will They were strong. International Slavery Museum, in in Museum, Slavery International Bonduku, and from there to the town town the to there from and Bonduku, show: Liverpool, their chains, but also above those who who those above but also chains, their and their captivity areexamples shining the Biblical Joseph, who have risen above that while it is thattrue there are many of slavery. It made reality hard the Christians” the of town me the to led and carry, to the Transatlantic Slavery Gallery in in Gallery Transatlantic Slavery the it isthat true also there are many, like me cry and tremble. I am Cuban, I Cuban, Iam tremble. and me cry load gave me aheavy ropes, me with kidnapped 1804. kidnapped brave” held down by the legacy of their chains, of Africans who rose, not only above above not only rose, who of Africans of the best of the human spirit. sold to me they There Fante. of the through there …from of sought to chain them. Ghana proved Ghana them. chain to sought won’t we butsold they that remember by the put together victims, slavery am black, I am proud” proud” Iam black, am “I came close to my ancestors and and my to ancestors close “I came that we were remember will “They bound tore off clothes, my “They The JosephProject History is replete with the names names the with replete is History – William Prescott, former slave, slave, former Prescott, – William – Abu Bekr al Siddik, Siddik, al –Abu Bekr

, thus, recognises – a visitor to to – avisitor There be expiationwill based theon There can be century noAfrican Africans in every corner of the world. of the corner every in Africans (1896-1970s). continues America Ghana As every Muslim must visit Mecca at Mecca visit must Muslim every As And the like story of the Biblical Joseph, in a Africa meeting recognised with T which meansof healing wounds and without of people,unity the African Rapprochement, an event to be mounted first African colony south of the Sahara the of colony south African first the coast the reaching before bath last their allowed were slaves where Manso at River Slave The bath: last The A pi to fight for the full emancipation of all all of emancipation full the for fight to 1957. in independence its gain to the it doubt became when beyond this there will be thereforgiveness will of one another. feelings. One of the major components recognition that greatwas done. evil rulers from across West and Central in in June 2007. Itassemble will traditional full for fight the from inspiration least once in their lifetime, lifetime, their oncein least leaders in ofthe Diaspora. Africans especially the Civil Rights struggle in in struggle Rights Civil the especially worldwide, of Africans emancipation of h The JosephProject e acti The Black Star of Africa Star Black The 1 grimag v iti e e s is and Healing drew drew The Joseph The Joseph Their condition ranges from well- ranges condition Their African to the homeland. Its route will Itsroute will homeland. the to African 40 slave lodges, forts and castles still still castles and forts lodges, slave 40 Joseph Project Project T years, into what is billed as an African African an as billed is what into years, Josephs of today and new ones yet to to yet ones new and of today Josephs (MOTDR) is developing a Garden aGarden (MOTDR) developing is who continue to triumph, will be be will triumph, to continue who Slave River the as known became what Excellence Experience.” Excellence Amuseum Experience. Excellence Fort in Accra, which was used to keep keep to used was which Accra, in Fort Diaspora must undertake at least once once at least undertake must Diaspora Diasporan Africans, Diasporanit Africans, also seeks to woo to Ghana, one that every African in the the in African every one that Ghana, to to become Josephs. These would then then would These Josephs. become to and of life, walks all in triumphed for shipment to the Americas were Americas for the to shipment return. Ghanaians Ghanaians in the Diaspora to invest in coast the wayto or their Captives in place dotted along its coastline, coastline, its along dotted place in include: will pilgrimage This lifetime. their in nominating committee of Africans of Africans committee nominating preserved, through deterioration, to to deterioration, through preserved, must be preserved for posterity and to to and for posterity preserved be must which past agonised of an memorials hallowed are These mere remnants. monument to the ‘True Josephs’ – the –the Josephs’ ‘True monument the to keep the memory of the period alive. period of the memory the keep be the introduction of the Diasporan Diasporan of the introduction the be be enrobed and featured in the African African the in featured and enrobed be to Diaspora the in at home and both a form to intention It our is born. be here. built dedicated to Africans who have who Africans to dedicated James forts, slave one of the convert etch their names to proclaim their their proclaim to names their etch could pilgrims on which of return for meditation, of Commemoration Relations of TourismDiasporan and select the men and women who qualify women qualify who men and the select later in prisoners then and slaves all the way from the east to the west. west. the to east the wayfrom the all all sectorsall of Ghana’s economy. awall and prayer hall, inter-faith an Ministry the where Manso, at Assin in bath last have to their allowed h e l The slave forts: Ghana has over has Ghana slave The forts: The Ghana government intends to intends government Ghana The According to the MOTDR, Says the MOTDR: “We will build a build “We MOTDR: will the Says b ast wants to establish a pilgrimage apilgrimage establish to wants is not just about visits from ath The g

T this year tourists targeted Tourist Development Company and and Tourist Development Company Tourist arrivals increased by 8% increased Tourist arrivals 9,000 direct and 300,000 indirect jobs, jobs, indirect 300,000 and 9,000 direct for all visitors. Ghana’s golden jubilee year, has more in store this year or forget about his salt. 2007, being Any tourist MOTDR’s 2003-2007 Strategic Action Action MOTDR’s Strategic 2003-2007 year and also marks the end of the end of the the marks also and year Programme that seeks to attract over attract to seeks that Programme contend with. Strategic marketing is is marketing Strategic contend with. and Diasporan Relations (MOTDR), Relations Diasporan and problem. another one million tourists into the country. country. the into tourists one million in stakeholders industry tourism other over one million attract to expects rural-urban migration. rural-urban more than creating revenue and revenue. and numbers visitor both in results the same period in 2005. in period same the Ghana the Tourist Board, Ghana the challenges still are there potentials, over in $1.5bn generating tourists, several senses. senses. several of Tourism Ministry the to strategic development to product as such and alleviation poverty as such sectors between January and June 2006 over 2006 June and January between on other effects multiplier the besides Over This year is very important and important is very year This First, it is Ghana’s it is golden jubilee First, sector the year this For example, However, despite these great great However, these despite The sector has manifested manifested has sector The years to be an emerging emerging an be to years churning out impressive out impressive churning major growth as it keeps it keeps as major growth ourism has proven over has the ourism sector with great potential. potential. great with sector worth his salt will have to visit Ghana onemillion Prince Dennis Klintings Dennis Prince District of the Eastern Region during during Region Eastern of the District will stimulate growth and wealth wealth and growth stimulate will domestic and pilots foreign attract will creation in the South District. District. Kwahu South the in creation destination. fairs and exhibitions this year year this exhibitions and fairs and “” celebrations are also also are celebrations “Panafest” and Ministry the and abigfestival, as to Festival a week-long Paragliding have traditionally celebrated Easter Easter celebrated have traditionally international festival to attract more attract to festival international an it become to encouraging is tourists. It is expected that the festival festival the that It expected is tourists. tourists. The celebration. Easter the Kwahu South the in at Atibie tourism atourism as promoteto Ghana international major five in participate scheduled to start from 21 July to 5 to July 21 from start to scheduled boost both domestic and international international and domestic both boost The 2007 “Emancipation Day” Day” “Emancipation 2007 The at Atibie Festival The Paragliding organise will Ministry the Third, Second, the Ministry will will Ministry the Second, reports.

Action Programme by the end of by the Programme Action attract will two festivals These August. Accra. The Ministry, in collaboration collaboration in Ministry, The Accra. The Ministry will also complete the complete also will Ministry The agencies allied and its The MOTDR another interesting place to visit to place interesting another is Region Western the in Beyin at Apollonia Fort Centre, has also developed a new anew developed also has Centre, near Groove at Pokuase, Guoko Sacred MOTDR is considering holding the the holding considering MOTDR is fixture on the tourist calendar. The calendar. thetourist on fixture Osofoman, Mayera, the Samsam Cave Cave Samsam the Mayera, Osofoman, will launch Phase Two of the Strategic Two Phase launch Strategic of the will with the Ghana Investment Promotion Promotion Investment Ghana the with coastline, together with completed completed with together coastline, comprehensive tourism policy which is is which policy comprehensive tourism new tourist attractions in the country, country, the in attractions tourist new more tourist reception facilities and five and facilities reception more tourist festival more than once in ayear. in once more than festival of view In better. even was festival 2005, in organised was festival maiden and implementation in 2007. in implementation and the and Groove at Achioto, Sacred and to helped and ahuge success was and amajor becoming fast is at Atibie orthophoto maps, and hold a tourism hold atourism and maps, orthophoto 2007-2015. covering years, of eight Africans. Diasporan be of whomwill iconic museums. The projects will start start will The projects museums. iconic 2007. by December conference investors’ country’s the along sites identified including the Presbyterian Cemetery at Cemetery Presbyterian the including this year and be completed next year. next completed be and year this for plans cadastral of 20 preparation aperiod span would year, which the majority the of visitors, thousands to be submitted to cabinet for approval for approval cabinet to submitted be to the years, two last of the success the boost tourism in the area. The 2006 2006 The area. the in tourism boost The Hand and Paragliding festival festival and Paragliding Hand The five develop also will Ministry The The MOTDR has also identified identified also has The MOTDR g

T “gifts” on a regular basis. on a regular “gifts” A N A H G M S I R U O T Gates African Company paid 323,712 dambas dambas 323,712 paid Company African World Heritage Monuments, which World which Monuments, Heritage world cultural development world cultural Europeans were obliged to pay annual pay to annual were obliged Europeans Danish Company paid over two million million over two paid Company Danish second home, their real home, in Africa. Diaspora, the “Gates of Return" into their “a new Akwaaba" (welcome) for the African reconciliation, the gates have now become return", but thanks to the new spirit of ships appeared to be “the doors of no castles and forts leading to the slave Once upon a time, for the territory leased to the European European the to leased territory for the 1659-72, In company’sfor the fort. the in to the chief of Afutu as rent as of Afutu chief gold the to in must be preserved for posterity and for and for posterity preserved be must garrison and guns would come to the come the to would guns and garrison and “taxes” various rent and ground companies to build the forts, their their forts, the build to companies stations. trading three for their chiefs Afutu and Accra gold the to in dambas usages. new to adapted and conserved have been others many disappeared, essentially as revenue paying units. The The units. revenue paying as essentially factories and fort the regarded elders of status the to by UNESCO elevated and “African intruders”. intruders”. “African and rivals European of hostile attentions the from enterprises business their and occupants their protect to was forts and The original purpose of the castles castles the of purpose The original have nowbeen and forts castles The Also, it was expected that in return return in that expected it was Also, For instance, in 1650, the Swedish Swedish 1650, the in For instance, and chiefs local the part, For their to 1787. Although several 1787.to several Although 1482 from centuries three building in Ghana spans spans Ghana in building he saga of European fort- of European he saga of these have fallen into a into have fallen of these state of decay or have totally or have totally of decay state of return

the gangways of the Accra. The Dutch debated whether or whether debated Dutch The Accra. to trusted be could partners African who maintains with other natives in the the in natives other with maintains who African the of fickleness the with by ahostile attacked it was whenever Robbertsz, expressed dissatisfaction dissatisfaction expressed Robbertsz, under our protection would join the the join would protection our under the , in 1717, in director- the Netherlands, the of positive apartnership be to the English and each has its Caboceer Caboceer its has each and English the us or fromeither expect they profit the force. force. respect the terms of the land contracts. contracts. land of the terms the respect remaining nation. The English would would English The nation. remaining impotence of the company and those those and company of the impotence of asign as regarded be it would whom to these, brings who and interior not some non-viable forts should be be should not non-viable some forts partners in settlements at Commany, at Commany, settlements in partners make themselves masters of the entire entire of the masters themselves make Sekondi, Cormantin, Butre, Mouri and and Mouri Butre, Cormantin, Sekondi, he feels most inclined, to the forts to to forts the to inclined, most he feels general of Castle, Engelgraaf Engelgraaf Castle, of Elmina general croms under each fort, depending on depending fort, each under croms down: closed held interests selfish individual cases, sell their gold, slaves and tusks. tusks. and slaves gold, their sell nor their Europeans neither and sway several in Unfortunately, symbiosis. aid of the African towns and villages villages and towns African of the aid also regard this as an opportunity to to opportunity an as this regard also “If we were to abandon such forts, forts, such we were“If abandon to special have founded natives “The Essentially, this was expected expected was this Essentially, In a dispatch to his superiors in in superiors his to adispatch In “middleman” societies gradually gradually societies “middleman” who have the power to put loads on power put to loads havewho the European goods. goods. European (including companies European viewed was relationship European Portuguese and some particular particular some and Portuguese their backs and spurs into their sides." their into spurs and backs their by are Negroes the that us taught them. that facilitated exchange for imported for imported exchange facilitated that were gold deposits of the bulk the coastal the century, mid-17th the percenters”) “ten numerous the that: for “consumerism”. Cormantyn would not allow us to to us not allow would Cormantyn in the early 18th century in which a which in century 18th early the in nothing but to submit themselves to a butthemselves to submit nothing want they that and slavish nature policy of mutual mistrust seemed to to seemed mistrust of mutual policy mighty yoke and to serve only those those only serve to yokeand mighty large number of rival official official of rival number large Sefwi, , Adanse etc. The coastal coastal The etc. Adanse Akyem, Sefwi, be the order of the day appear to be be to appear day order of the the be be built into capital) and military military and capital) into built be coast on the Europeans the between trade. monopolistic through benefit hardware, as the hinterland states states hinterland the as hardware, lands (in whose states, hinterland go because of their annual claim claim annual of their go because coast and its trade because we have because trade its and coast developed, it seems, an insatiable taste taste insatiable an it seems, developed, into crystallised increasingly coast for mutual states African coastal of ships gifts. Long experience has has experience Long gifts. of ships in advantage see they long as as only and contracts our all that seen often equipped themselves militarily and and militarily themselves equipped (that could for materials exchanged sandwiched society of a"middleman" the trade, coastal the entered societies also depended on the on the depended also societies Wasa, , , as such character the assumed had society agreements with the Africans hold Africans the with agreements actually located), to provide the gold the provide to located), actually states African hinterland the and By of opportunity”. a “frontier the between solely apartnership as African- the centuries, 16th and “The Fantyn natives at natives Fantyn “The The reasons for this situation situation this for The reasons As more and more gold was more more gold and was As (3) However, the coastal African (3) African However, coastal the a as (2) decades, the Over 15th the in (1) Originally,

when Asante emerged as a powerful apowerful as emerged Asante when the situation by the early 18th century century 18th early by the situation the for “consumerism”, there was bound to to bound was for “consumerism”, there nobility (afahene, awuranom), politico- awuranom), (afahene, nobility political and socio-economic power. It socio-economic and political obsosomfo, (asafo, priests-ideologists mercantile group (abirempon, group batafo), mercantile (ahenfo, abrafo), stalwarts military be a confrontation between the African African the between aconfrontation be state. hinterland hinterland and the coastal Africans Africans coastal the and hinterland of people among the coastal Akan: Akan: coastal the among of people ataste developed also and economically sources, there were three major classes major classes were three there sources, asumanfo). was This allies. European their and This group engrossed public, public, groupengrossed This of comprised was class The upper From well-documented European European From well-documented was of “noble birth” or had acquired a acquired or had of “noblewas birth” treaties and agreements etc. They They etc. agreements and treaties up drew disputes, in mediated they one part are “Slaves century: 17th the nobility status. It alone could buy, could It alone own status. nobility know-how of trade routes, caravans, caravans, routes, know-how of trade beck and call. As Jean Barbot noted in in noted Barbot Jean As call. and beck had large mansions, very expensive expensive very mansions, large had commoners. commoners. commercial transactions, movements transactions, commercial country.” this in commodity his at functions and services different of goods, prices of goods, lingua franca; franca; lingua of goods, prices of goods, a property, and riches Afahene's of the seemed limitless: they had the the had they limitless: seemed and retainers engaged in some 20 20 some in engaged retainers and bonded and retainers slaves, sell and The authority of the Abirempon Abirempon the of The authority An Afahene had slaves, servants servants slaves, had Afahene An The Dutch West-Indian Company Company Dutch The West-Indian varieties of imported food. On the other other the On food. of imported varieties 1730 to Holland: “The has has Coast Gold “The Holland: to 1730 (Anihumanifo, Adofo, Adwumafo) had had Adofo, Adwumafo) (Anihumanifo, were bonded to the upper class. upper the to were bonded fishermen, shiploaders and canoe men. men. canoe and shiploaders fishermen, slave castles and forts in Ghana in forts and castles slave the all of largest and oldest the is Castle Elmina trade was giving way to the slave trade. trade. slave the wayto giving was trade labourers, men, military traders, farmers, artisans, the as served they relatively few material possessions. Yet possessions. material few relatively hand, the commoners or lower class or lower commoners class the hand, director Rademacher wrote in February February in wrote Rademacher director enjoyed and jewellery costly clothing, Thirdly, there were the slaves, who slaves, the there were Thirdly, By the mid-17th century, the gold the century, mid-17th the By

A N A H G M S I R U O T Negroes except in slaves. The English English The slaves. in except Negroes the French, Danes and Portuguese send send Portuguese and Danes French, the slaves. of war prisoners their princes kings, the among wars terrible is now very little to get among the coast coast the among get to little nowis very there Consequently, prices. increasing now virtually changed into a pure apure into changed now virtually many too.”many Slave Coast. The great quantity of guns guns of quantity great The Slave Coast. have brought there has given cause to to cause given has there have brought send every year hundreds of ships and and of ships hundreds year every send and caboceers of those lands who made made who lands of those caboceers and Europeans the which gunpowder and “These slaves are bought at steadily steadily at bought are slaves “These During the 18th century peak peak century 18th the During Africa was 51.3% for males and 48.7% and for 51.3% males was Africa 16-30 age bracket. This means that the that means This 16-30 bracket. age were: figures for Gold Coast export of slaves slaves of export Coast Gold for figures those who were in the reproductive age- reproductive the were who in those for females. Moreover the slaves slaves Moreover the for females. ratio of the slave exports from West from exports slave of the ratio period of the , the the trade, slave Atlantic of the period majority of the slaves exported were exported slaves of the majority exported were largely those in the the in those were largely exported Total –677,000 1771-1800 –227,000 1741-1770 –220,000 1700-1740 –230,000 It is estimated that the male-female male-female the that It estimated is European partnership in terms of terms in partnership European the apparent superiority they had in in had they superiority apparent the African- the in partner” “senior the other.It one may be wayor the trade, it lasted. that period the for the atrocities and evils of the slave slave of the evils and atrocities for the many scholars and non-scholars non-scholars and scholars many know-how, possession of material ofknow-how, material possession groups. Thus, the export slave trade had had trade slave export the Thus, groups. culture, goods and technology. Thus the Thus technology. and goods culture, attitudes and behaviour patterns of the of the patterns behaviour and attitudes constituted Europeans the that argued blame apportion to have tried alike during rates on birth effect a depressing In centuries and decades past, past, decades and centuries In

“junior partner”. “junior by the were emulated partner” “senior protested against unilateral unilateral against protested West Africa Whydah: “What hurts me most is is me most hurts “What Whydah: Dahomey. London. 1793, p219). London. Dahomey. we to blame if we send delinquents to to wedelinquents send if we blame to of afew sake for the children and wives Dupuis, the British consul in Kumase, Kumase, in consul British the Dupuis, Records of trade. major port Dahomey's No fewer than two important kings of kings important two No fewer than dungeon of the Coast Cape the of dungeon slave the of entrance the at Tourists (Above) tourism. for power pulling amajor becoming increasingly are queenmothers, and chiefs involving festivals, Ghanaian page) (Opposite that trade. I cannot make war to catch catch to war make Icannot trade. that he when And itto now my he friend. is they so book, the made God great the haveto stated: reported is Bonsu Osei Asantehene the same!” the are And captors? of their disposal the our we sell that alleging die, never that have people of some your that Abson Governor to haveto remarked together. put Coast Gold of the stations trading Crammos say the law is good because because good law is the say Crammos it bad now, why did they think it good it good think now,it bad they why did my country or they would not say the not the say would or they my country we have and prisoners of our men a part books in us represented maliciously kegs of brandy. No. We are shamefully of brandy.kegs No. We shamefully are book all I shall say and then he will look look he will then and say Ishall all book buy slaves. old law, law an notbefore? Is your the belied. of the African Company’s fort at Company’s fort African of the the all than more slaves exporting sees what is true, he will surely restore restore surely he will true, is what sees (Moslem) law? Crammo the as same think they But if bad. was trade slave was it alone 1750s, by the show that a far country? I have been told you do Ihave been country? a far at prisoners not all do. to Are so a right white the to We sell abused. do indeed abolition. passed. was trade slave the abolishing “You my master’s in put must down understand do men not white “The we have been that “Tell posterity The King of Dahomey was reported reported was Dahomey of King The lawthe when up came issue This In the 1720s, Whydah became became Whydah 1720s, the In In another dialogue with Joseph Joseph with dialogue another In (A. Dalzel: The History of The History (A. Dalzel:

“Conachi, Codio, Couamina, Couacou, Couacou, Couamina, Codio, “Conachi, Yao,Couami”. Cofi, Ashantee, London 1824). London Ashantee, Akan of Ghana is exactly paralleled in in paralleled exactly is of Ghana Akan World. wherever slaves of Akan origin had the the had origin of Akan slaves wherever (J. Dupuis, Journal of a Residence in in ofaResidence Journal Dupuis, (J. Fante-Asante Ghanaian culture in its its in culture Ghanaian Fante-Asante Dutch and French Guiana, we find we find French Guiana, and Dutch this?” like act kings white notDo the the Guianas. They name their people people their name They Guianas. the technology. New the in culture Akan transplanted World. New the to For instance, its through may have been, trade gold and have Imust his certainly then folklore, masks, religion, instruction, instruction, religion, masks, folklore, Gulla Islands provide illustrations of illustrations provide Islands Gulla instrumentality the native African African native the instrumentality purest form, in terms of language, art, art, of language, terms in form, purest king and kill him when he is insolent, insolent, he is when him kill and king Santo Domingo, South Georgia and the the and Georgia South Domingo, Santo Jamaica, of Haiti, maroons the Surinam, his slaves and the people are mine too. too. mine are people the and slaves his cultures of Ghana. of Ghana. cultures were transplanted traditions cultural opportunity, they revived the Akan Akan the revived they opportunity, of “day-names” as applicable among the the among applicable as of “day-names” slaves in the bush, like a thief. My athief. like bush, the in slaves social organisation, economic life and and life economic organisation, social ancestors never did so. But if I fight a Ifight But if so. did never ancestors The maroons or “Bush Negroes” of Negroes” or “Bush maroons The The naming custom using the list list the using custom naming The Among the Bush Negroes of Negroes Bush the Among However negative the slave slave the However negative Asante funeral customs have been have been customs funeral Asante 1482-1880. European relationships established on established relationships European Kweku Ananse of Akan folkloric folkloric of Akan Kweku Ananse Return” into their second home, their home, their second their into Return” the Castle and Fort culture, now it has now it has culture, Fort and Castle the of institutionalisation UNESCO the and of reconciliation spirit new the to thanks of no return”, doors “the be to met peoples two these as Coast Gold the been has worship cult Cormantin the and venerated, are “ancestors” the Onyame; of Akan worship is there were slaves 18th the for the African Diaspora, the “Gates of “Gates the Diaspora, African for the annually observed been has festival is folktales, Jamaican in featured real home, in Africa! Africa! home,in real influence from the Akwasidae festival festival Akwasidae the from influence narratives. trickster shrewd the than none other Jamaica In system. Akan by the named practised for generations. for generations. practised leading to the slave ships once appeared appeared once ships slave the to leading become a new “Akwaaba” anew (welcome)become dance such as the “Charleston”, show the as such dance observed in recent times. recent in observed yam Akan the Lucia, St. In of Asante. at the castles, forts and lodges between between lodges and forts castles, at the Barbados, in and, Negroes the among Among the Gullahs of Carolina, of Carolina, Gullahs the Among Many African-American forms of forms African-American Many trickster Nancy, the Miss If the castles and forts’ gangways gangways forts’ and castles the If Such is the legacy of the African- of the legacy the is Such g

T Ghana: is becomingamajor A N A H G M S I R U O T Awareness Drive” which has hugely hugely has which Drive” Awareness revenue earner development of the environment. contribute to the conservation and sustainable to have fulfilled cultural exchanges, and to visit unique and interesting destinations, fashionable in Ghana. Tourists are encouraged Neglected for a long period, The GTB will establish ownership of ownership establish will GTB The Ecotourism Projects (CBEPs). Projects Ecotourism double sales and ownership disputes. disputes. ownership and double sales through comeabout often which cases development. unplanned development around the the development around unplanned manager, the land use plans are meant meant are plans use land the manager, and preservation of natural resources, resources, of natural preservation and attractions. enhanced its Community-Based Community-Based its enhanced what to as investors guide to is objective The spots. attraction the around of land highly successful “Domestic Tourism “Domestic successful highly investors. litigation to is avoidland This investors. to their owners, and acquire them for them acquire and owners, their to compensation pay adequate lands, these order avoid to in acceptable are projects use judicious the control and ensure to development business and planning selected attraction spots as priorities for priorities as spots attraction selected banks around the attractions for attractions the around banks According to Frank Kofigah, GTB’s Kofigah, Frank to According The GTB has been praised for its for its praised been has GTB The GTB also seeks to establish land land establish to seeks also GTB Ecotourism or the conservation conservation or the Ecotourism (GTB), the regulator of (GTB), regulator the up land use plans to guide guide to plans use up land he Ghana Tourist Board Tourist Board he Ghana investors to lands around 21 21 around lands to investors the country, has drawn drawn has country, the in industry tourism the Ecotourism – has 15 ongoing CBEPs around the the around CBEPs ongoing 15 – has Conservation Research Centre, Centre, Research Conservation Ecotourism seeks to create wealth wealth create to seeks Ecotourism Organisation, and Peace Corps-Ghana Corps-Ghana Peace and Organisation, with friendly village folks. village friendly with Nature –the partners foreign with countryside. They are being funded funded being are They countryside. communities.. and conserving whilst communities, climbing, encounters with endangered endangered with encounters climbing, natural of unique boast destinations Development (USAID). International SNV Netherlands Development Netherlands SNV and elephants, as well as interactions interactions as well as elephants, and host the to livelihood alternative an of the natural environment with with environment natural of the of interesting cultures, in basically basically in cultures, of interesting backdrop the against endowments resources. It combines the experiences experiences the It combines resources. provide to It attempts poverty. reduce rural communities. They range from range They communities. rural in the indigenous communities and and communities indigenous the in scene. tourism on the discovery anew is through tropical rain forests, mountain- forests, rain tropical through of landscapes, views picturesque host of the lifestyle and culture the cultural and natural the preserving lush vegetation and waterfalls, hikes hikes waterfalls, and vegetation lush species of monkeys, crocodiles, hippos hippos crocodiles, of monkeys, species by the United States Agency for Agency States United by the ecotourism is now These selected attraction attraction selected These collaboration in GTB, The To ensure the sustainability To sustainability the ensure Baidoe Ansah, deputy minister, MOTDB MOTDB minister, deputy Ansah, Baidoe Joe and MOTDB, director, chief Katriku, Bright Mrs GTB, of Mireku Martin gurus: tourism The Management Teams (TMTs),Management composed communities, GTB, the host district district host the GTB, communities, markets, libraries, classroom blocks blocks classroom libraries, markets, ground at the projects these manage marketing. to planning from and many others. many and supply, of electricity extension as been all have They destination. at each groups interested other and assemblies of representatives of the host host of the of representatives Tourism are there CBEPs, of the raised from the attractions are used used are attractions the from raised in developing the communities communities the developing in projects, of the stage at every involved level to ensure the continuity. Income Income continuity. the ensure to level schoolchildren, community centres, centres, community schoolchildren, boreholes, scholarships for brilliant for brilliant scholarships boreholes, such amenities basic by providing The TMTs have been trained to trained TMTs The havebeen

Mistry Rock at Amate in the Eastern Region Eastern the in Amate at Rock Mistry The (Below) Region. Central the in Park National Kakum the at sky-bridge the on Kufuor President $142,250. The GTB is the torch-bearer thetorch-bearer is GTB The $142,250. visit these unique and interesting interesting and unique these visit churches, workplaces and the general general the and workplaces churches, environment. development of the contribute and exchanges, cultural have to fulfilled destinations, many attractions in the countryside. the in attractions many awareness programme aimed at aimed programme awareness especially years, recent alot in achieved of the tourism industry in Ghana. It has It has Ghana. in industry tourism of the day, CBEPs per the visitors of 20,000 recorded 50,482, who contributed contributed who 50,482, recorded in the area of domestic tourism tourism of domestic area the in public, to take more interest in the the in more interest take to public, awareness. promotion and of atarget instead For example, targets. their exceeded have CBEPs already the sustainable and conservation the to sensitising groups such as schools, schools, as such groups sensitising elaborate an initiated GTB sector, the Tourists are also encouraged to to encouraged also are Tourists In collaboration with the private private the with collaboration In Statistics available indicate that that indicate available Statistics 10 regions of the country. More of these More of these country. of the 10 regions clubs will be inaugurated in the next next the in inaugurated be will clubs have established agencies collaborating alearning provide to seeks It also many the appreciate and better, country domestic tours meant to win more win to meant tours domestic unique tourist attractions and natural natural and attractions tourist unique few months. The main activities of the of activities main The months. few the of 10,161 across spread membership about 164 tourism clubs with a with clubs tourism 164 about to the contribute and country, about the the know countryside, the around opportunity for visitors to know more know to for visitors opportunity country. the in endowments travel to Ghanaians many encouraging radio and discussion programmes on programmes discussion and radio identity, unity and cultural integration. integration. cultural and unity identity, tourism clubs are seminars, workshops, workshops, seminars, are clubs tourism local economy. So far, the GTB and its its economy. and GTB far, the So local seeks to inspire a sense of national of national asense inspire to seeks souls for tourism. for tourism. souls The programme has succeeded in succeeded has The programme GTB’s domestic tourism promotion GTB’s tourism domestic g

Valentine’s Day, 14 February. Valentine’s Day, Chocolate “National A N A H G M S I R U O T Day” to be observed every year. The The year. every observed be to Day” I All maiden event was launched in Accra on Accra in launched eventwas maiden has instituted Ghana’s version of own instituted has of Ghanaians who normally do not normally who of Ghanaians Thousands patronised! overwhelmly Ghana, have a new treat in store. The Ghana called National Chocolate Day. Sweet, isn’t it? just launched its alternative to Ministry of Tourism and Diasporan Relations has L overs of Surprisingly, the day was was day the Surprisingly, the Ministry of Tourism Ministry the n an attempt to make use use make to attempt n an of consuming cocoa products, products, cocoa of consuming benefits health the especially of Ghana’s cocoa, rich and Diasporan Relations Relations Diasporan and you needislove

V alentine’s Day, which is a big hit in Lamptey, presented varieties of varieties presented Lamptey, the day, the minister of tourism and and of tourism day, minister the the best the produces country the though Children’s Home. These included included Home.Children’s These producer of cocoa beans – took to the the to –took beans of cocoa producer many decades was the world’s largest world’s largest the was decades many brown stuff, so much so that there was was there that so so much stuff, brown have a chocolate-eating culture – even –even culture have achocolate-eating quality cocoa beans in the world and for world and the in beans cocoa quality cocoa products to inmates of the Osu Osu of the inmates to products cocoa Obetsebi- Jake relations, diasporan across the country. country. the across of chocolate shortage immediate an As part of the activities marking marking activities of the part As V alentine’s Day “the only 100% cocoa product in the the in product cocoa 100% only “the was not only the business it offered, but it offered, business the not only was of cocoa essence the that world”, and “The said: Ankrah, Nii John welfare, He, therefore, appealed to the cocoa cocoa the to appealed therefore, He, Bournvita, Richoco, Chocolim and and Chocolim Richoco, Bournvita, Barry Callebaute, in a programme aprogramme in Callebaute, Barry Day celebration would be even better. better. even be would Day celebration Home after launching the National Chocolates Day Chocolates National the launching after Home Children’s Osu the at Obetsebi-Lamptey, Jake relations, diasporan and tourism of minister The the love it brought among consumers. consumers. love among it brought the children.” vulnerable these to of years 50 celebrating is nation the on National need the was there for export “to entice chocolate lovers to chocolate entice “to for export Golden Tree chocolate. They were They TreeGolden chocolate. Ghana high commissioner to the UK), UK), the to commissioner high Ghana (the former Osei Company, Isaac Ghana”. him, to Home.Children’s According who Day show to love all to Chocolate and Limited, Ghana Company, Nestlé independence, has made the chocolates chocolates the made has independence, not only for local consumption but also but also consumption for local not only Osu of the inmates especially it, needed presentation, coming at a time when when at atime coming presentation, love should not only be a carnal affair, affair, acarnal be notlove only should hoped that next year’s Chocolate year’s Chocolate next that hoped to love get wayto was best the hence donated by the Cocoa Processing Processing Cocoa by the donated Pebbles, Milo, Choco of Milo, cartons disclosed that the company produces produces company the that disclosed of social director acting the children, products improve to their companies Orphanage”. the to “ShowLove dubbed even more enjoyable as this is the the is this moreeven enjoyable as season of love, and love has been shown shown been love of love, has and season show it others. to a sharp rise in sales, and the minister minister the and sales, in rise a sharp The CEO of the Cocoa Processing Processing Cocoa the CEO of The reported companies chocolate The In an address, the minister said said minister the address, an In Receiving the gifts on behalf of the of behalf on gifts the Receiving g

T tourism makes sense O H O H Agenda”. Hohoe, with a sky-bridge, like the one at the one at the the like asky-bridge, with the elevate will hoped, it is which natural all exploit and explore will Kakum National Park in the Central Central the in Park National Kakum Region. first to inaugurate a district tourism tourism district a inaugurate to first country. the most progressive, tourism-oriented district in the whole District Assembly will have a clean sweep. It is, without a doubt, assembly in Ghana in terms of tourism development, the Hohoe If prizes were undertaken in recent years. It was the the It was years. recent in undertaken the “Hohoe 2015 Tourism “Hohoe 2015 Development the festival, building a district tourism tourism adistrict building festival, restaurant chains, and a national park park anational and chains, restaurant a in jurisdiction its within resources investment policy to woo investors. investors. woo to policy investment policies reaching far- some in pulling out all the stops in building a building in stops the out all pulling museum, a first-class tourism and tourism afirst-class museum, industry. tourism model by this success, the district assembly is is assembly district the success, by this hospitality training institute, hotel and and hotel institute, training hospitality district to municipal status by 2015. status municipal to district launch to also and 2004, in committee sustainable manner to create wealth, wealth, create to manner sustainable annual hand gliding and paragliding paragliding and gliding hand annual of an institution the include agenda demonstrated development is and potential tourism its to attaches The district will soon launch an launch soon will district The development tourism district’s The assembly the seriousness The Under the programme, the district district the programme, Under the E years, tourist numbers to to numbers tourist years, the district have more than have more than district the S S A T C I R T S I D Ghana. Over the last three three last the Over Ghana. in the Volta the of in Region he Hohoe District is located located is he Hohoe District quadrupled. Encouraged Encouraged quadrupled. Prince Dennis Klintings Dennis Prince to be given for the most forward-looking district where E M Alavanyo to boost its energy base. energy its boost to Alavanyo Tourism Initiative Award in 2004, and and 2004, Award in Tourism Initiative Ministry of Tourism and Diasporan of TourismDiasporan and Ministry Relations’ (MOTDR) to district (MOTDR) district to Relations’ untapped tourism attractions within within attractions tourism untapped the Topworldthe 2006. in award Adventure influenced by an appeal made by the by made an appeal by influenced District Tourist Board’s Ghana it the both recognised have been initiatives hydroelectricity amini constructing is nationally and internationally, winning winning internationally, and nationally project on the Wadjaklli Falls at Falls Wadjaklli on the project assemblies to exploit the numerous numerous the exploit to assemblies l b John P. Amewu, Hohoe district chief executive chief district Hohoe P.John Amewu, To help achieve its goals, the district district the To goals, its help achieve Hohoe’s forward-march was largely largely was Hohoe’s forward-march Hohoe’s development tourism Y report.

Abrem District Assembly is another another is Assembly Abrem District Adasawase near tree agiant Adasewase, with tourism as its priority, under the the under priority, its as tourism with Elmina castles, both UNESCO Heritage Heritage UNESCO both castles, Elmina District Assembly in the Region Central the in Assembly District Region Eastern the in Assembly District theme “building on the past to create a create to past on the “building theme Project”, Heritage 2015 “Elmina the the at Banso, Mausoleum Royal the Atiwa far, the So jurisdictions. their resting place of kings and other royals royals other and of kings place resting Okomfo Anokye of Asante fame. It fame. of Asante Anokye Okomfo include the Tinni Waterfalls at Waterfalls Tinni the include MOTDR challenge the embracing in legacies such as the Cape Coast and and Coast Cape the as such legacies better future”. future”. better houses his sword and magical leather leather magical sword and his houses holistically. garment. during the colonial era, and as such its its such as and era, colonial the during one seriously pursuing a policy aimed aimed apolicy pursuing one seriously priest, traditional celebrated of the Abuakwa. of Akyem sites. sites. area a focal was district The sector. centuries, for many have to existed said attractions are dominated by colonial by colonial dominated are attractions tourism of its potential the at tapping also is There km. sq of over 2,590 area an covers which forest Atiwa the and Hohoe to come near that ones the are Abrem KomendaEdina-Eguafo the and The district assembly has launched launched has assembly district The Eguafo The Komenda-Edina Also found at Asaman is the shrine shrine the is at Asaman found Also endowments Atiwa’s tourism g

Project under moreso even Ghana, to visitors for Ghana in welcome awarm always is there (below) Sanctuary; Tafo Adome the at monkey Mona A (Left) launch. Project Joseph the of part as organised ministers tourism African of conference a attend to country the in were whom of both Matsuura, Koichuro general, director UNESCO the and (right) Prescot John Britain, of minister prime deputy visiting the by assisted (centre) Obetsebi-Lamptey Jake relations, diasporan and tourism for minister the by 2007 February 15 on Accra in launched formally was Project, Joseph The programme, tourism flagship Ghana’s (Above) The Joseph Joseph The

O H O H and paragliding events paragliding and hand the to home Amedzorfe, at Gemi Mountain in Ghana. It will soon add hang- add soon It will Ghana. in assemblies district tourism-oriented endowed most one of the as tall stands fountain, a tourism as analysts district. the in festival paragliding and gliding for hang- ajoint studies feasibility concluded has district The Hohoe festival gliding hosts Hohoe of tourist attractions. of tourist menu its to paragliding and gliding The Hohoe district, rated by rated district, The Hohoe E S S A T C I R T S I D

E M l b festival to take off this year. Like Like year. this off take to festival for Hohoe’son course twin-gliding is everything says executive, chief long package. long package. year- of the part as fairs investment and hold exhibitions It will celebrations. anniversary the during investors potential to opportunities investment tourism its showcase to plans district the country, of the year thousands. their in enthusiasts foreign and local both attract to festival its Hohoe expects one at Atibie, the Y John Peter Amewu, the district district the Amewu, Peter John This, being the golden jubilee the golden jubilee being This, communities. communities. Toglo Agumatsa and Dzigbordi, Tseyebi Gbogame, comprising Area, Traditional Gbledi of the people and chiefs by the celebrated Ghana. in point habitation highest the Mount Afadjato-Agumatsa, visit also can festivals these to coming Tourists September. in annually celebrated page). on opposite (see It story is festival Falls to Wli the similar is which festival, and forest tourism eco- Afadjato the is district the in The Afadjato festival is Afadjato festival The major attractions ofOne the g

V Wli Falls, The falls consists of two separate separate two of consists falls The Assembly, the Ghana Tourist Board, Tourist Board, Ghana Assembly, the Wildlife Sanctuary, a 45-minute walk walk a45-minute Sanctuary, Wildlife wealth of Hohoe vary considerably with estimates estimates with considerably vary (TMA) to mobilise the people and and people the mobilise to (TMA) waterfalls; a Lower Fall which is easily easily is which Fall aLower waterfalls; Dzogbega). Dzogbega). NGOs. NGOs. in the the country. the preferred tourism destinations in Wli Falls though specifications of its real height height real of its specifications though West in Africa, waterfall highest the It is area. the in attraction tourist main of three consists area traditional several and of Wildlife Department the four adjacent communities founded founded communities adjacent four from Agumatsa town. The sanctuary sanctuary The town. Agumatsa from ranging from 50 metres to 400 metres. metres. 400 to metres 50 from ranging order derive to in area the in resources in 1997, using Wli as the pilot site. site. pilot the as 1997, Wli in using more difficult to reach. The Lower Fall Lower The reach. to more difficult them. from To benefits maximum communities: Afegame, Agorviefe Agorviefe Afegame, communities: Wli The ofkm. 35sq area an covers initiative ecotourism community-based accessible, and an Upper Fall which is is which Upper Fall an and accessible, community Todziand (and one settler District of the collaboration active the sought TMA the goal, this achieve Authority a Tourism Management A year later, the villagers of the of the villagers later, the A year Wli is by far the most popular popular most the by far is Wli Agumatsa the in located is Falls Wli V olta Region of Ghana, as one of District Assembly to to Assembly District to Wli Falls on a regular on aregular Falls Wli to isitors started to come to started isitors basis as early as 1973. This This 1973. as early as basis develop a district-wide adistrict-wide develop encouraged the Hohoe the encouraged is steadily establishing Hohoe, 7 Coldbath Square London EC1R 4LQ UK. Tel: + 44 (0) 207 713 77 11 Fax: + 44 (0) 20 7713 78 98 www.africasia.com 98 78 7713 20 (0) +44 11 Fax: 77 713 207 (0) +44 Tel: UK. 4LQ EC1R London Square 7 Coldbath the Produced by the Communications Department of IC Publications Publications IC of Department Communications the by Produced Most importantly, the villages offer 18 offer villages the importantly, Most the footpath leading to the waterfall. It waterfall. the to leading footpath the in adelicacy as served animal type in. participate also can visitors that trail. the with marked have been footpath the falls is so inviting that visitors cannot cannot visitors that inviting so is falls around trees Some forest. the in found farming, ostrich farming and “grass- and farming ostrich farming, restaurants). Interested visitors have the have the visitors Interested restaurants). aswim. taking resist intention of creating a nature education education anature of creating intention high. metres 50 about is nine times along the way. 220 the Over along times nine bird species and 400 butterfly species, species, butterfly 400 and species bird have a real village life experience. experience. life village have areal may guests so beds, 43 with home-stays gives information about the attractions attractions the about information gives cliffs. The large pool at the foot of the foot the of pool at large The cliffs. adjacent on the nest bats fruit coloured rivers two fording forest, deciduous district, and two small shops for shops small two and district, of start the to next located is centre projects. these visit to chance bigrodent- (a local farming cutter” on a footpath through a thick, semi- athick, through on afootpath souvenirs. A new visitor centre is under under is centre visitor Anew souvenirs. as well as other sites in the Hohoe the in sites other as well as mushroom farming, snail as such area, the in activities farming alternative several have introduced NGOs and are antelopes, and monkeys as well as There are several other activities activities other several are There The current tourist reception reception tourist current The At the falls, thousands of straw- thousands falls, At the To reach the falls, visitors walk walk visitors To falls, the reach Recently, university researchers researchers university Recently, Woezor Hotel, Freedom Hotel, and Woezor and Hotel, Freedom Hotel, Taste Lodge, Afegame Guest House, House, Guest Afegame Taste Lodge, will accommodate a reception area, a area, areception accommodate will Friend Hotel. Hotel. Friend Hotel, Grand Hotel, Chaces Hotel, Hotel, Chaces Hotel, Grand Hotel, Notable capital. regional Ho, the as well as capital, district the Hohoe, Lower Fall. Other facilities include include facilities Other Fall. Lower The charms of the Wli Falls Wli the of charms The the Waterfall Lodge, Blue House Blue House Lodge, Waterfall the function as an information centre. centre. information an as function Gelud Hotel, Matvin Hotel, Evergreen Evergreen Hotel, Matvin Hotel, Gelud rest agovernment and Guesthouse hospitality facilities located in in located facilities hospitality Todome. Likpe at nearby house conference centre, a restaurant, 12 craft craft 12 arestaurant, centre, conference facility bigger much This construction. shops, a museum, and a library that will will that a library and a museum, shops, among these are: Galaxy Lodge, Lodge, Galaxy are: these among of the base at the camp to allowed are visitors and accommodation, There are equally first-class first-class equally are There for options several are There

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