Mr. Kwamena Bartels, Acting Minister of Tourism, says there is immense benefit in private sector participation (PSP) and has called on the private sector to handle the Emancipation Day.

"We believe strongly that there is the need to create a public/private sector partnership to handle the activity. This will be in the line with the tenets of tourism business. Our Tour Operators, are being offered the challenge as professionals in the field to take over the business aspects of the Emancipation Day events and infuse their expertise into the whole undertaking for the mutual benefit of their businesses as well as the visitors who need proper handling when they come over here," he said.

He has also asked non-performing government agencies to redraw "their incompetence" and make way for the private sector.

Mr. Bartels was speaking at the media launch of Emancipation Day in Accra yesterday. The day marks the anniversary of 1st August 1834 when chattel slavery was considered illegal by the British government and abolished. Events marking Emancipation Day would start from July 21st and end 2nd August 2002. The main theme is "Emancipation: Our Heritage, Our Strength", and the sub theme, "Consolidating the bridges between the Diaspora and the Motherland".

Mr. Bartels announced that starting from next year, the ministry is putting together a special emancipation route pilgrimage to all the slave centres where the trade took place. The pilgrims will row back on boat to the dungeons of the castles where their ancestors passed to experience how they were treated. They will also visit Assin Manso where the slaves had their last bath. A durbar of chiefs and traditional leaders would be held for them making them royal members of Africa.

He said local citizens must be encouraged to take part in the celebration, so that it will be natural in character.