When European missionaries first arrived in the Upper East Region of present-day Ghana, the local inhabitants greeted them with the phrase “Ya Fara-Fara?” This translates to “How is your suffering?” but essentially means “How is your work?” Unfortunately, the Europeans misinterpreted this common greeting and mistakenly referred to the people in the region as “Frafra.”
This misunderstanding led to a cultural misstep, as four distinct local communities—Gurensi, Talensi, Nabdam, and Kusasi—were subsumed under a single term. Today, these communities coexist peacefully in Bolgatanga, the main town in the Frafra area, sharing a similar culture and language.
Some believe the name Bolgatanga (Boole tanga) derives from the Gurensi words “Boole” (clay) and “tanga” (rocks). Indigenous women in Gurunsi communities traditionally gathered clay from local rock formations for pottery making, construction, and artwork. Archaeologists have discovered small terracotta sculptures, dating from the 13th to the 18th centuries, at burial sites near Bolgatanga. These artifacts are now part of the collection at the town’s only museum, the Upper East Regional Museum.
The museum features a diverse array of exhibits, including ancestral clothing, hunting tools, musical instruments, and pottery. Among the displays are historical images of archaeological sites in the region, such as the stunning mud mosques built in the Sudano-Sahelian architectural style, some of which are painted in bright white colors. However, these images do not garner the most attention from visitors. Instead, they are often drawn to the pictures of a large stone with several drilled holes, which only becomes clear when they read the accompanying description: “Eating plates used by enslaved people at the Pikworo Slave Camp.”
This camp was a part of the transatlantic slave route in the late 19th century. Ghana’s Upper East Region was a key center for the slave trade, as it received individuals from various cultures in the nearby regions, including the Upper West, Savannah, and Northern Regions. From Bolgatanga, these people would walk to coastal ports before being shipped to America.

***
The Upper East Regional Museum in Bolgatanga has emerged as a vibrant center for the education and preservation of Indigenous culture in the heart of the town. Officially opened on January 21, 1991, as an extension of the National Museum in Accra, this ethnographic museum displays archaeological, historical, and artistic materials. It has played a crucial role in revitalizing Bolgatanga and attracting visitors.
In 2018, the World Bank granted $40 million to Ghana to develop its cultural heritage tourism and help boost economic growth. However, the Upper East Regional Museum also recognized that understanding one’s culture is essential for personal and communal identity, especially among the youth, in a rapidly globalizing world.
Since 2021 the museum has launched several programs to involve students in hands-on learning experiences and instill appreciation for their culture. Workshops, guided tours, and interactive exhibits allow students to explore artifacts, learn about their historical contexts, and engage with local traditions. To maximize the impact of its educational efforts, the Upper East Regional Museum collaborates with local schools and academic institutions. These partnerships are crucial for integrating museum resources and activities into classroom learning.

The museum’s activities are not merely designed to meet educational standards and attract youth; they are incorporated into the schools’ curriculum in Bolgatanga. Teachers receive materials and training to enhance their lessons with local history and Indigenous practices, making education more relevant and engaging for students. This approach fosters critical thinking and a sense of belonging.
“I witnessed elders sharing folktales and proverbs in our local language. It was amazing. The stories brought our traditions to life and made us all feel more connected to our roots,” a junior student from St. John’s Basic School in Bolgatanga shares her experience at the museum during the annual World Storytelling Day celebration. “It taught me that culture isn’t just something from the past; it’s something we live every day. Whether it’s the food we eat, the songs we sing, or the way we celebrate festivals, our heritage shapes who we are.”
This student is one of the cultural ambassadors at the Upper East Regional Museum. Every year, the museum’s team selects a cohort of students from each school committed to advocating for culture preservation in their schools, families, and communities. These cultural ambassadors delve into Indigenous traditions through interactions with historical artifacts and undergo training to lead discussions and organize cultural events. The museum nurtures a grassroots approach to safeguarding cultural heritage by equipping the youth with leadership skills.
“I’ve always been passionate about history and tradition. When my school introduced the Cultural Ambassadors program in collaboration with the Upper East Regional Museum, I immediately signed up. It felt like an opportunity to learn more about my roots and share that knowledge with my peers,” adds the cultural ambassador from the St. John’s Basic School.
Her message to other young people is simple yet profound: “Your culture is your identity. If you don’t know where you come from, it’s hard to know where you’re going. Take the time to learn about your traditions. It’s not just about preserving the past—it’s about shaping a future where we all know and respect our roots.”
The disengagement of his peers with their culture motivated a 10-year-old student from Sacred Heart International School to become one of the cultural ambassadors: “I wanted to make a difference in my community. Growing up, I noticed many young people were losing touch with their heritage. The museum’s program gave me the chance to help change that.”
He emphasizes the interconnectedness of traditions and the environment. “Learning about the significance of farming tools and traditional rites made me see how our ancestors adapted to the environment sustainably. It’s inspired me to think about combining traditional knowledge with modern practices to address challenges like climate change.”

***
Despite the significant impact of the Upper East Regional Museum on schools and communities, it faces challenges such as limited funding and resources. These constraints hinder its ability to expand programming and reach wider audiences. Many students, especially those in remote areas, lack access to the museum and its cultural knowledge.
To address this issue, the museum’s team has proposed a Mobile Museum program using a minibus, which will be equipped with artifacts, exhibits, and educational materials. The minibus would visit schools weekly, providing guided tours, interactive activities, and educational sessions about cultural history led by experienced museum staff. This initiative aims to bring the museum experience directly to schools throughout the region. It will also align with the Ghana Education Service (GES) curriculum, enriching classroom learning and providing teachers with resources to incorporate Indigenous cultural content into their lessons.
The Upper East Regional Museum in Bolgatanga serves as a beacon of cultural education in Ghana. Integrating the museum into the school curriculum not only preserves the rich heritage of the Upper East Region but also empowers the next generation to appreciate and carry forward their cultural legacy. As more students engage with their Indigenous culture, and communities thanks to the cultural ambassadors, the museum paves the way for a future where cultural identity is celebrated and preserved, creating a strong sense of belonging and contributing to the region’s social cohesion and resilience.
Through these efforts, the museum is not just an institution of cultural history but a catalyst for change, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of indigenous culture that will resonate for generations to come.
For those moved by this story and willing to support the Upper East Regional Museum as part of their corporate social responsibility, don’t hesitate to contact the writer, Prosper Adankai, at leerykjutie@gmail.com for further engagement.
This article is a collaboration with B. Inspired with Stories from Africa as part of our commitment to community journalism. The Urban Activist leverages community-based reporters’ unique ability to provide accurate perspectives from the ground on how people are solving problems while not overlooking the complexities of local communities or perpetuating stereotypes.