Prof. Opoku-Agyemang calls for preservation of history and unity at 2026 Kalibi festival in Sankana

The Vice President, Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, has called for the preservation of history, unity, and accelerated development as chiefs, government officials, and community members gathered to celebrate the 2026 Kalibi Festival at Sankana in the Nadowli-Kaleo District of the Upper West Region.

Addressing the durbar, the Vice President described Sankana as a place of deep personal and historical significance, recalling her long-standing academic and cultural connection with the community. She emphasised that the festival’s core purpose — unity and the preservation of history — must be sustained, particularly by passing down knowledge to younger generations.

“People who are grounded in their history are better equipped to shape their future with clarity and purpose,” she noted, urging schools in Sankana to incorporate local history into their learning.

Prof. Opoku-Agyemang highlighted Sankana’s unique place in African history, especially its role in resisting enslavement, saying such narratives challenge misconceptions that Africans did not resist oppression.

She referenced growing global recognition of the transatlantic slave trade as a crime against humanity, describing it as an opportunity for communities like Sankana to preserve and project their heritage to the world.

She assured residents of government support for development under President John Dramani Mahama’s “Big Push” agenda, citing ongoing road projects, plans for 24-hour markets, and improved educational infrastructure, including sanitation and support for girls’ education.

Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana K. Bagbin, in his remarks, pledged tangible government support for the area, rejecting the notion of distant governance from Accra. He highlighted the Shea Park Industrial Hub as a key initiative to transform the Upper West Region’s economy.

According to him, the project — backed by international partners including the United Nations Development Programme and the Global Shea Alliance — aims to restore 100,000 hectares of degraded land and plant 3.5 million shea trees.

He further disclosed that the European Union has committed €4 million to support Ghana’s shea industry, with implementation arrangements underway.

The Speaker also announced plans to dredge the Sankana Dam to enhance irrigation, potable water supply, and climate resilience in the area.

On his part, renowned scholar P. L. O. Lumumba urged Africans to resist what he described as “cultural enslavement,” warning that although traditional slavery has ended, new forms of domination persist.

He welcomed recent international recognition of slavery as a crime against humanity but insisted that Africa must push for unequivocal apologies and restitution, emphasising the importance of cultural identity.

“He who has no culture is a slave,” he noted, calling for continental unity to restore Africa’s dignity.

The Kalibi Festival, celebrated annually in Sankana, serves as a platform to honour the community’s history — particularly its legacy of resistance — while fostering unity and development.