Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, has made a shocking allegation against the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia administration. According to Ablakwa, the government has handed over the management and control of the W.E.B. Du Bois Centre to a private entity, the W.E.B. Du Bois Museum Foundation Ghana LBG.
Ablakwa claims that the agreement, signed on September 22, 2023, grants the foundation significant control over the centre’s management, including the appointment of a majority of the board of directors and the board chairman. The government, on the other hand, has limited representation, with only three appointees to the board.
The W.E.B. Du Bois Centre is a historic and cultural landmark in Ghana, and this agreement has raised concerns about the government’s commitment to preserving the country’s cultural heritage. Ablakwa’s allegation suggests that the government has surrendered control of the centre to a private entity with no track record.
The agreement, which spans 50 years, has been criticized for its lopsided nature. The foundation will appoint six board members, while the government will only appoint three. The foundation will also appoint the board chairman, giving them absolute control over the centre’s management.
Ablakwa has expressed outrage over the agreement, stating that it is a betrayal of the trust reposed in the government to protect Ghana’s cultural heritage. He has called for the agreement to be reviewed and for the government to take back control of the centre.
The W.E.B. Du Bois Centre is a symbol of Ghana’s rich cultural heritage, and its management and control should be entrusted to the government, not a private entity. Ablakwa’s allegation has sparked a national conversation about the government’s commitment to preserving Ghana’s cultural heritage.
The government has yet to respond to Ablakwa’s allegation, but many are calling for transparency and accountability in the management of the W.E.B. Du Bois Centre. The centre’s fate hangs in the balance, and Ghanaians are waiting with bated breath for the government’s response.
Ablakwa’s allegation has also raised questions about the government’s priorities and its commitment to preserving Ghana’s cultural heritage. The W.E.B. Du Bois Centre is a national treasure, and its management and control should be entrusted to the government, not a private entity.
The agreement has also been criticized for its lack of transparency and accountability. The government’s decision to hand over the centre’s management to a private entity without consultation has sparked outrage and disbelief.
As the controversy surrounding the W.E.B. Du Bois Centre continues to unfold, one thing is clear: Ghanaians will not stand idly by while their cultural heritage is surrendered to private interests. The government must take back control of the centre and ensure that it is managed and preserved for future generations.
