Honouring the Past: UNIC-Accra leads students to Slave River Site in Assin Manso
Students tour the historic Assin Manso Slave River site in the Central region of Ghana
Assin Manso, Ghana – 10 April 2025 – One hundred high school students have toured the historic Assin Manso Slave River site in the Central region of Ghana as part of activities marking the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade. The students are from Aburaman Senior High School (SHS) and Assin Manso Senior High School (SHS).
Held under the global theme “Acknowledge the past. Repair the present. Build a future of dignity and justice” the educational tour was organised by the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) Accra. It served as a moment of reflection as it brought students face-to-face with one of Ghana’s most poignant historical sites where countless enslaved Africans had their "last bath" before being shipped across the Atlantic during the transatlantic slave trade.
The event also supports ongoing appeals for governments to incorporate education on the causes and lasting impacts of the transatlantic slave trade into school curricula as a key step to addressing the scars of the Transatlantic Slave Trade and ending socioeconomic disparities. As UN Secretary-General António Guterres noted, “examining the underlying assumptions and beliefs that enabled slavery to persist for centuries can also reveal the roots of racism in today’s world.”
Through guided storytelling, historical lessons, and quiet reflection by the riverbanks, students engaged deeply with the brutal history of slavery and its enduring impact on societies today. They learned about the resilience of those who suffered, the cultural losses endured by African communities, and the importance of preserving memory to build a more just and inclusive world.
“The experience was emotional but necessary because it helped me understand where we come from and why we must fight against racism and injustice today”, says Gloria, a School Prefect from Assin Manso SHS.
The Site Manager for the Slave River site, Mr. Nii Ameni Annor Quarcoo, who served as the tour guide, explained how the grounds once served as a slave burial ground. “Those who could not continue the journey were buried here at Assin Manso,” he added.
The International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade is marked annually on March 25. Initiatives such as the tour of the Assin Manso Slave River site aim to educate the public about this dark chapter of history and promote action against racism.
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