Elmina
(Central Region) 17 September 2002- Some tourists on Sunday shed tears after
they have been conducted round the Saint George Castle where slaves were brutalized
centuries ago. They left the 510-year old edifice condemning the atrocities
with some vowing to stand against slavery in all forms.
Mr. Stephen
Kojo Korsah, Acting District Director, National Museums and Monument Board,
told the tourists of horrifying stories and various degree of torture meted out
to the slaves by their captors.
He said
some were sexually abused, denied food. "Some even died in chains for no
sin committed" and they lived in agonizing state until their exit to
Europe. Mr Korsah said others also paid dearly for interceding on behalf of the
inmates.
Before
departing the gates of the Castle, the tourists, mostly Europeans, expressed
their feeling in the visitors book. Ms Elizabeth Maucher, a German, wrote:
"my heart is crying, all we can do is to avoid racism and cruel
behaviour".
An American
tourist, Marry Ann, stated: "great sorrow, may slavery never be repeated
in any form", while a Zambian, Mr Andrew Chitulangoma prayed for
"eternal life to the slaves, who died and suffered here".
An
Englishman, Mr. Chris Giddings asked, "how could humanity do this to one
another", while Mr Savahna Nighhyaile also of Britain questioned;
"why was this merciless act allowed to happen to innocent people for
long?"
A Malawian,
Mr Ethel Chiwaka urged: "Europeans and Africans; let’s live in a world of
love, forget the past and face the future together." Mr Korsah told the
Ghana News Agency that 9,223 tourists visited the Castle in August alone.
GRi…/
Send your comments to viewpoint@ghanareview.com