Department of Museums and Monuments Urge Citizens to Conserve Historical Sites

Department of Museums and Monuments has urged citizens to conserve the historical sites existing in the country.

The remarks were made by the Director of Museums and Monuments in the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, Dr Elizabeth Gomani Chindebvu during a media tour at Chongoni Rock Art World Heritage site in Dedza District.

According to Dr Gomani-Chindebvu, there are 127 heritage sites across the country and that they play a greater role in as far as tourism is concerned.

“Taking care of the heritage sites will help to keep the sites beautiful so as to continue telling Malawi’s history to the coming generations,” she said

Chindebvu, further said the sites are beneficial to the country as they attract tourists into the country who contribute to the economic growth for Malawi.

She also stressed some of the challenges like poor roads to some of the rock art sites, and the fading of some paintings in some other sites.

However, Chindebvu was quick to say that as a ministry, they are engaging stakeholders and other organizations to help in protecting the heritage sites by sensitizing Malawians on the importance, hence engaging the media in the tour to help raise more awareness to the public.

“Malawians should take part in preserving the heritage sites in all parts of the districts to improve tourism,” she added

Chindebvu also called upon government and stakeholders to help her department in addressing some of the problems they are facing by constructing roads and facilities at the sites among others.

She said African Development Bank provided 9 million US Dollars and Government of Malawi provided 1 Million US Dollars to the departments that concern tourism in the country which will help in promoting tourism across the country.

In her remarks, one of the journalists who took part in the tour, Nancy Malata from Timveni Radio said the tour was so beneficial as it will help her write the evidence based stories.

The sites that were visited were Mphunzi and Chentcherere Rock Art Sites.