This is the sad and shameful state of a national monument built to honor one of Africa’s greatest women. Nana Yaa Asantewaa, the great Queenmother of Ejisu who led gallant Ashanti men to battle against the British colonial masters in the famous 1900 War of the Golden Stool.
On 3rd August 2000, 26 years ago, the Yaa Asantewaa Museum at Ejisu along the Onwe – Kwaso road was commissioned with pride and pageantry by the late former First Lady of Ghana, H.E. Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings with the good intention to preserve the history, legacy,generate revenues for the tourism sector, and personal relics of the fearless Ashanti warrior Queen.
But today, what was meant to be a beacon of Ashanti heritage and a major tourist attraction has been left to rot.
A DEN FOR RATS, SNAKES AND CRIMINALS
A visit by Gardencitynewsgh.com to the museum site reveals a heartbreaking sight. The once beautiful edifice is now abandoned, overgrown with weeds, with broken walls and leaking roofs.
The place has been taken over by rats, snakes, lizards, and according to residents, has become a hideout for weed smokers and criminals.
There is nothing encouraging to show that this monumental project was built with good intent to honor a legend. It looks very devastating.
“This is an insult to the memory of Yaa Asantewaa and to all Asantes. How can we build a museum for such a great Queenmother and leave it to become a home for snakes?” a concerned native of Ejisu told Gardencitynewsgh.com in anger.
AUTHORITIES SILENT
All efforts by Gardencitynewsgh.com to reach authorities in charge of the museum, including the Ejisu Municipal Assembly and the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board, to explain the current deplorable state and the plans to rehabilitate the facility have proven futile.
Authorities have declined to comment on the matter, fueling more anger among the people.
Meanwhile, concerned indigenous people of Ejisu and lovers of Ashanti history are demanding answers.
They are calling on the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, and the Ejisu Municipal Assembly to as a matter of urgency intervene and restore the dignity of the Yaa Asantewaa Museum.
Nana Yaa Asantewaa did not deserve this. Asanteman does not deserve this.
Gardencitynewsgh.com will keep following this story until something is done.
