In a press release dated December 19, 2025, the Acting Executive Director of the Board, Kwest Essel-Blankson, explained that the decision was taken to safeguard both visitors and the structures.

According to him, the closure is intended to “allow for essential maintenance work, safety assessments, and ongoing conservation activities aimed at preserving the structural integrity and historical value of these significant heritage sites.”

The affected forts are Fort Apollonia at Beyin in the Western Region, Fort St. Anthony at Axim, Fort Orange at Sekondi, James Fort at Jamestown in Accra, and Ussher Fort at Usshertown, also in Accra.

The closure took effect on Thursday, December 18, 2025, and will remain in force until further notice.

These coastal forts, which are central to Ghana’s historical narrative, form part of the chain of European trading and slave forts that line the country’s coastline.

Several of them are recognised as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, standing as enduring reminders of the trans-Atlantic slave trade and its legacy.

The GMMB, which is mandated to protect and conserve Ghana’s tangible heritage, periodically undertakes restoration and conservation works on these centuries-old structures, many of which are constantly exposed to harsh coastal conditions.

In the statement, the Board expressed regret over any disruption caused by the closure.

“We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused and appreciate the understanding and cooperation of the public,” Mr. Essel-Blankson said.

The temporary shutdown is expected to affect tourism schedules, particularly for visitors exploring Ghana’s popular Castles and Forts Trail, a key pillar of the country’s cultural and heritage tourism agenda.

In recent years, government efforts have intensified to promote these sites not only for their historical importance but also for their contribution to tourism and local economic development.

The Board Chair of the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board (GMMB), Dr Edith Dankwa, said they are certain to generate revenue from the initiative they are yet to put out.

In March 2022, the Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Dr Ibrahim Mohammed Awal, tasked board members of the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board (GMMB) to present a proposal on how they would turn the castles and museums into tourist attractions.

He made this statement when he swore in a 10-member board of the GMMB which is chaired by Dr Edith Dankwa in Accra on Wednesday 23rd March 2022.

Speaking in an interview with Adomonline.com during a recently-held management meeting, Dr Dankwa said apart from making a conscious effort to sell Ghana, the board is ready to modernise places of interests that have been likely abandoned.

“We thought about the strategy going forward… We want to take action as tourism has become a big source of revenue globally. We don’t think we have gained much benefits from the tourism industry yet so we are looking at how to generate much revenue through tourism.

“We are looking at selling our culture and values among other interesting things about us. They should be readily visible at museums and we should also make much money and support the industry,” she said.

Meanwhile, Mr Kingsley Ofosu Ntiamoah, Executive Director, Museums and Monument board said Ghana has many tourist attractions around the coastal areas in the southern sector that need to be renovated.

According to him, there is going to be a deliberate effort to highlight all these places of interests that have been taken off the radar.

“From Keta to Benin, we have about 28 forts and castles that have spread across. In the past, we couldn’t highlight them well for people to know. Now our focus is to sell them. They are part of our heritage and our descendants must get to know.

“We are not doing it for only foreigners. We are going to promote domestic tourism too. Not only that, we are encouraging people to visit these sites to learn more about our heritage. That is what identifies us as a people,” he said.

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