Ghana has secured a major international commitment to strengthen the preservation of its cultural heritage sites, with South Korea pledging US$3.5 million towards the restoration of six forts and castles.
The support was secured during Ghana’s participation in the 48th Session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee held in Busan, South Korea, where the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Hon. Abla Dzifa Gomashie, led the country’s delegation.
The funding from the Korean National Commission for UNESCO will support restoration efforts, while also providing technical training and capacity-building opportunities for Ghanaian heritage professionals.
The intervention is expected to enhance the conservation of some of Ghana’s historic forts and castles, which remain important symbols of the country’s history and key attractions for cultural tourism.
As part of the engagement, six Ghanaian heritage professionals also graduated after completing specialised training focused on climate-resilient heritage conservation, equipping them with skills to manage and protect heritage sites against emerging environmental challenges.
The Minister’s participation in the UNESCO meeting forms part of Ghana’s broader efforts to reposition cultural heritage as a driver of tourism development, education, employment creation and sustainable economic growth.
Ghana’s forts and castles, many of which are linked to the trans-Atlantic slave trade and centuries of global interaction, continue to attract visitors from across the world and serve as important educational resources.
The latest support is expected to contribute to ongoing efforts to preserve these sites while improving their value as heritage tourism destinations.
