The
National Museum of Ghana in Accra, is the largest and oldest of
the museums under the administration of the Ghana Museums and
Monuments Board.
The museum building was opened on 5th March, 1957 as part of
Ghana’s independent celebration. The official opening was
performed by Her Royal Highness, the Duchess of Kent, the Late
Princess Marina.
Objects
of archaeology, ethnography as well as fine art find place in
the National Museum building. Objects at the archaeology section
range from the stone age period to the recent historical past.
Those on permanent exhibition at the ethnography gallery include
chief’s regalia, indigenous Ghanaian musical instruments,
gold-weights, beads, traditional textiles, stools and pottery.
There are
also objects from other African countries acquired through
exchange. Examples are Senfu masks from La Cote D’ Ivoire, Zulu
wooden figures and bead-ware from Southern Africa.
In addition there are also ancient Ife bronze heads from Nigeria
and Bushongo carvings from the Congo. Exhibits at the small but
impressive art gallery consist mainly of contemporary Ghanaian
paintings executed in oil, pasted, acrylic, watercolour and
collages.
Apart
from these there are sculpture pieces in different media
Temporary exhibitions are held not only by the National Museum
but also by individuals and foreign embassies. Guided tours are
provided and films on some aspects of Ghanaian culture are shown
by the staff of the Education Section.
It is
more than our wish that every guest, while enjoying his or her
visit to the National Museum, adds some more knowledge to what
he or she might have already about Ghana’s material cultural
heritage.
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