Tourism Minister orders removal of illegal structures around forts and castles

Ghana's Tourism Minister, Dzifa Gomashie, has urged the immediate removal of unauthorized structures encroaching on the country's forts and castles. She emphasized that such encroachments jeopardize the preservation of Ghana's cultural heritage. At a symposium on the Korea-Ghana Heritage Project in Accra, Ms. Gomashie noted that some heritage sites were under severe pressure from illegal developments, particularly structures built within protective buffers intended to safeguard historic monuments.

During her remarks, Ms. Gomashie stressed the importance of engaging local communities surrounding the heritage sites in preservation efforts. She explained that community understanding of the historical and cultural significance of the monuments is crucial for garnering their support. "Often, we leave out the engagement with the community. And so they don’t see the importance of why our, for example, call for the demolition of illegal structures around the forts and castles," she explained.

The extent of encroachment around certain sites has become alarming, according to Ms. Gomashie, necessitating urgent action. "If I show you pictures of the encroachment on the buffer for the forts and castles, you will join me in doing Aluta," she vowed. Ms. Gomashie stressed that protecting Ghana's heritage sites requires collaboration, not only from the government but also from traditional authorities, local communities, and other relevant stakeholders.

She called for increased cooperation among these groups to prevent further encroachments and safeguard Ghana's forts, castles, and other heritage assets for future generations.