International volunteer from Ghana visits VINP

The V.I. National Park has welcomed international volunteer Samuel Acquaah, who hopes to share his knowledge with the community to develop a deeper understanding of the shared history and heritage between West Africa and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

“The major thing I am looking forward to is the exchange of knowledge from the indigenous peoples, that we both have from our various settings,” Acquaah told The Daily News. Acquaah is currently the head of Ghana Museums and Monuments Board’s Education Department and Officer-in-Charge of the historic Christiansborg Castle — also known as Osu Castle — located in Accra, Ghana. He arrived on St. John in mid-October and is working under the newly reorganized International Volunteer-in-Parks program.

He has a bachelor of arts, with a focus on history, culture and tourism, from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Kumasi; a master’s of philosophy in art and culture from the University of Education in Winneba; and a master of arts in tourism and hospitality management from Harbin University of Commerce in China. Aquaah said that his interest in history and culture were sparked during his undergraduate studies. He initially wanted to pursue a science degree, but had an opportunity to learn more about the renowned Osu Castle. “I was living right by there, but I never got to know the importance of it until I went to university,” Aquaah said.