STATEMENT BY THE GHANA MUSEUMS AND MONUMENTS BOARD
The 18th of May every year is recognised by the International Council of Museums as International Museums Day to draw the attention of the World to the transformative role museums play in society by highlighting specific themes. This year’s International Museum Day is celebrated on the theme “The future of museums in rapidly changing communities”, which focuses on how museums navigate and contribute to a world undergoing profound social transformation due to technological innovations and environmental changes, which threaten fragile cultures.
This year’s theme aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals: SDGs 8, 9, and 11. Museums support local economies by creating employment opportunities and empowering people with knowledge. Museums foster creativity and embrace technological advancement while advancing sustainable urban development by acting as cultural hubs that promote heritage preservation. In Ghana, museums are crucial to the country’s historical narrative, serving as repositories of colonial history and Ghanaian cultural heritage. This was central to Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah’s dream when he commissioned the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board (GMMB) on the eve of Ghana’s independence in 1957 to foster national identity and unity. It is disappointing that GMMB has not been fully empowered to achieve the vision of the founding fathers; however, over the years, GMMB has played a crucial role in preserving the cultural identity of Ghanaians through public education and community engagements. Additionally, museums in Ghana have contributed significantly to economic growth through tourism and public education. GMMB, therefore, supports ICM in recognising 18th May as the International Day of Museums, furtherance to this, GMMB celebrates this milestone event by granting free admission to all basic and senior high schools between 18th and 25th May 2025 to reiterate the institution’s mandate of providing cultural and historical education to the youth, who are the leaders of the future.
GMMB also takes this opportunity to urge all Ghanaians to patronise museums for cultural resetting and reorientation, and appeal to the government for more support to modernise the laws that established the institution to make it more dynamic and resourceful to the public. To all staff of museums in Ghana who are dedicated to the service of preserving the history and culture of Ghana, Ghanaians and Africa, we say Ayekoo.
KWASI ESSEL BLANKSON,
ACTING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR,
GHANA MUSEUMS AND MONUMENTS BOARD (GMMB),
18TH MAY 2025