South Korea has committed US$4.5 million over five years to help Ghana restore its historic forts and castles, as climate change and coastal erosion threaten heritage assets that support tourism, diaspora travel and local economic activity.
The funding, announced by the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, is expected to support restoration efforts through technical expertise and equipment in collaboration with UNESCO and South Korea’s National Commission for UNESCO.
The initiative places Ghana’s historic coastal landmarks at the centre of a wider economic challenge: protecting tourism infrastructure from environmental damage before deterioration undermines their ability to attract visitors and generate income for surrounding communities.
Speaking in an interview with Class 91.3 FM’s Elizabeth Aidoo, Madam Gomashie said climate change and the effects of coastal erosion were putting increasing pressure on the country’s coastline and its historic sites.
“Global warming and climate change have been merciless on our coastline,” she said.
She explained that the partnership was intended to help restore deteriorating forts and castles and improve their readiness to receive visitors.
“We are working with these two institutions, UNESCO, main UNESCO and then the Korean Natcom, to see how we can restore what we are losing with the forts and castles,” she said.
For Ghana’s tourism industry, the restoration effort could help protect destinations that attract international visitors, particularly members of the African diaspora seeking to reconnect with the continent’s history.
The forts and castles are also central to Ghana’s historical identity and its engagement with reparations and restitution under President John Dramani Mahama.
However, preserving the structures alone may not be enough to maximise their economic contribution. Sustained tourism benefits will also depend on effective site management, improved visitor experiences and measures to protect vulnerable coastal locations from further environmental damage.
Madam Gomashie acknowledged the need to improve the visitor experience to sustain interest in the historic sites.
She also warned that coastal erosion and tidal waves posed a wider threat to coastal communities and heritage assets beyond individual constituencies.
The five-year partnership therefore presents an opportunity to link heritage conservation with tourism development, while highlighting the need for long-term coastal protection.
For communities around the historic sites, preserving these landmarks could help sustain tourism-related livelihoods and businesses. The scale of those benefits, however, will depend on the effectiveness of the restoration work, the protection of the sites against future damage and Ghana’s ability to convert its historical attractions into lasting economic opportunities.
