Cape Coast, May 19, GNA - The Central and Western Regional Director of the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board (GMMB), Mr. Nicholas Ivor, has said museums were not for beautification purposes only but also to preserve and conserve a nation's cultural heritage. He said museums had a collection of objects in their repositories which are fundamental to the memories of the communities in which they are located as well as the country at large and that they did not only preserve memories but tell historic stories as well.

In an interview with the Ghana News Agency, Mr. Ivor said this year's annual International Museums Day was being celebrated in Ghana from Wednesday, May 18 to Friday, June 17. Mr. Ivor said the objective of the celebration, which is under the theme, 93Museum and memory", is to create public awareness on the role of museums in the development of the society. He said the occasion would also serve as an opportunity for museum professors to meet the public to interact with them and also educate them on how to preserve and conserve the nation's cultural heritage. As part of the celebration, Mr. Ivor said there would be public lectures and media interactions, special exhibitions, an open house for teachers, free entry into all GMMB facilities as well as free film shows on Ghana's culture.