Ghana has recorded a major milestone in its efforts to preserve its rich cultural heritage after the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Hon. Abla Dzifa Gomashie, successfully led the country’s delegation to the 48th Session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in Busan, Republic of Korea.
The high-level diplomatic engagement has yielded significant international commitments that are expected to strengthen the protection, restoration and sustainable management of Ghana’s priceless World Heritage sites, particularly the country’s historic Forts and Castles.
A Diplomatic Victory for Ghana
During the conference, the Ghanaian delegation actively participated in UNESCO’s deliberations while holding strategic bilateral discussions with several influential international organizations. These included the Africa World Heritage Fund (AWHF), the World Heritage Institute of Training and Research for the Asia and the Pacific Region (WHIPIC), UNESCO’s Assistant Director-General for Culture, and officials of the Korean National Commission for UNESCO.
These meetings focused on expanding Ghana’s technical expertise, strengthening heritage management systems and mobilising international resources to preserve the country’s cultural treasures for future generations.
US$3.5 Million Restoration Support
One of the biggest achievements of the visit was the commitment by the Korean National Commission for UNESCO to provide US$3.5 million for restoration works on six selected Ghanaian Forts and Castles.
The funding represents a major investment in preserving some of Ghana’s most historically significant monuments, many of which form part of UNESCO’s World Heritage List and remain important symbols of African history and the trans-Atlantic slave trade.
The financial support will complement ongoing efforts by the Government of Ghana to implement UNESCO’s conservation recommendations and ensure these historic landmarks remain protected for generations to come.
Building Local Expertise
Beyond financial support, Ghana also secured valuable opportunities for professional development.
The Africa World Heritage Fund agreed to support the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts together with the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board (GMMB) through specialised human resource development and capacity-building programmes designed to improve heritage conservation and management.
Similarly, WHIPIC committed to providing advanced technical training for officers of the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board in heritage interpretation and visitor experience management. These programmes are expected to enhance how Ghana presents its historical sites to both domestic and international tourists.
Ghanaian Professionals Receive International Training
An inspiring moment during the visit was the graduation ceremony of six Ghanaian professionals who completed an intensive capacity-building programme in Seoul.
The beneficiaries came from the:
- Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts
- Ghana National Commission for UNESCO
- Ghana Museums and Monuments Board
- Environmental Protection Agency
The specialised programme focused on helping heritage professionals understand and manage the growing impact of climate change on cultural heritage sites.
Hon. Abla Dzifa Gomashie, together with Ghana’s Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, H.E. Kojo Choi, congratulated the graduates and expressed appreciation to the Korean National Commission for UNESCO for investing in Ghana’s human resource development.
Heritage as an Engine for Development
The Minister reiterated Ghana’s commitment to protecting its cultural heritage, noting that heritage preservation goes beyond safeguarding history. According to her, it also serves as a powerful tool for:
- Tourism growth
- Education
- Employment creation
- Sustainable economic development
- National identity and cultural pride
She further expressed Ghana’s gratitude to UNESCO, the Government of the Republic of Korea, the Africa World Heritage Fund and WHIPIC for their continued confidence in Ghana’s heritage agenda.
The Minister reaffirmed that under the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama, Ghana remains committed to promoting its cultural heritage as a strategic national asset capable of driving inclusive development.
Distinguished Ghanaian Delegation
The delegation accompanying Hon. Abla Dzifa Gomashie included:
- Mrs. Meredith Naakai Lamptey Addy, Ghana’s Permanent Representative to UNESCO
- Prof. Usman Damba, Secretary-General, Ghana National Commission for UNESCO
- Mr. Kwesi Essel Blankson, Acting Executive Director, Ghana Museums and Monuments Board
- Mr. Divine Kwame Owusu-Ansah, Director for Culture and Creative Arts at the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts
Their collective efforts helped strengthen Ghana’s international partnerships and position the country for greater support in heritage conservation.
Moment of Wisdom Analysis
The success of Ghana’s participation at the UNESCO World Heritage Committee demonstrates the value of proactive diplomacy and international cooperation. Securing financial assistance, technical expertise and specialised training simultaneously is a significant achievement that has the potential to transform the country’s heritage sector.
If effectively implemented, these partnerships could improve the preservation of Ghana’s historic Forts and Castles, enhance visitor experiences, create employment opportunities through tourism and strengthen Ghana’s reputation as one of Africa’s leading cultural destinations.
For a country whose heritage tells stories of resilience, identity and global history, investing in preservation is not merely about protecting monuments—it is about safeguarding the nation’s legacy for future generations.
— Moment of Wisdom Blog
“Time for Wisdom.”
