Ghana has secured a $4.5 million initiative from the Korean Government to protect its forts and castles from climate change. This five-year Korea-Ghana Heritage Project will run from 2026 to 2030. It aims to strengthen Ghana’s capacity to safeguard these historical sites from increasing environmental threats.
The project became necessary due to significant climate change impacts on Ghana’s coastal heritage sites. These threats include coastal erosion, flooding, and salt-induced deterioration. Structural instability and extreme weather conditions also pose serious risks to these invaluable historical structures. The initiative will initially focus on six key heritage sites in the Greater Accra Region.
These sites include Ussher Fort and James Fort in Jamestown, and Christiansborg Castle in Osu. Fort Augustaborg in Teshie, Fort Vernon in Prampram, and Fort Fredensborg at Old Ningo are also part of the initial focus. This targeted approach aims to address the most vulnerable sites first, establishing a model for broader conservation efforts.
Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, announced the initiative on Monday, August 10, during the Government Accountability Series. She highlighted the project's alignment with international conservation frameworks. These include the UNESCO World Heritage Climate Action Policy and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDGs 11 and 13.
The initiative will establish a scientific climate-risk assessment and monitoring system for the selected heritage sites. It will also develop national and site-level policies to guide climate-responsive heritage conservation. This comprehensive approach ensures that protection efforts are data-driven and strategically planned.
Furthermore, the project seeks to strengthen the institutional and technical capacity of agencies responsible for heritage management. It will develop integrated data systems and climate-risk mapping tools. Promoting greater participation by local communities and other stakeholders is also a key objective, ensuring community involvement in preservation efforts.
Ms. Gomashie confirmed that Ghana has already benefited from capacity-building opportunities under the initiative. Six experts from various stakeholder organizations received two weeks of intensive training in South Korea. This training focused on climate change response policy for forts and castles, enhancing local expertise.
Additionally, six site managers will undergo two months of training in site management in South Korea. This training is scheduled between October and November 2026. More training and skills development opportunities are expected throughout the five-year project, ensuring sustained knowledge transfer.
The Minister stated that the initiative will also strengthen Ghana’s contribution to regional and international discussions on climate and heritage conservation. This positions Ghana as a leader in addressing climate impacts on cultural heritage. The project will officially launch on August 26, 2026, at the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture.
Ghanaian officials and counterparts from the Korean Commission for UNESCO and the Ghana Commission for UNESCO will attend the launch. This collaboration underscores the international significance of the project. The long-term implications include enhanced tourism potential and the preservation of vital historical assets for future generations.