Kunsu (B/A), July 24, GNA - Nana Kwabena Koranteng II, Chief of Kunsu, a former market centre and depot for slaves near Kintampo in Brong Ahafo, has expressed concern about the escalating cases of domestic violence, child labour and trafficking, rape and defilement as well as other sexual abuses.

He said even though the obnoxious trade had long been abolished, it had assumed a new dimension in the form of these practices in alarming proportions in the country.

Nana Koranteng was speaking at a pre-emancipation day celebration organised by the Centre for African Arts and Civilisation (CAAC), an NGO, at Kunsu at the weekend. The celebration was under the theme, "Our heritage, Our strength". The chief said even though there was the need to appreciate, protect and preserve culture, tradition, inheritance, patrimony and endowment, it was imperative "for us as a people to eliminate traditional norms that impact negatively on our lives". Nana Koranteng appealed to stakeholders in the tourism industry to develop the slave market and the rocks in the area where slaves were chained while awaiting being bought to boost the tourist potential of the area.

Mrs Felicia Obuobi, the Director of the NGO, urged the people of Kunsu to make the tourist sites attractive to help improve their socio-economic development.

The people of Kunsu and its surrounding communities wore mourning clothes, with red arm and neck bands and traditional warriors fired musketry to demonstrate their sadness about the inhuman treatment meted against the slaves.