Tourism Minister’s UNESCO Mission Secures US$3.5 Million Support for Ghana’s Forts Restoration
Busan (South Korea) July 25 2026
Ghana has secured a significant funding commitment from the Korean National Commission for UNESCO to restore some historic Forts and Castles following high-level engagements at the 48th Session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in Busan, Republic of Korea.
The US$3.5 million restoration project will benefit six of the country’s Forts and Castles requiring urgent restoration and will be a historic and landmark project in the Country’s tourism sector
The breakthrough was achieved by Abla Dzifa Gomashie, Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, who led Ghana’s delegation to a five-day meeting held from July 20 to 25, 2026, where strategic discussions were held with key international heritage institutions aimed at mobilising support for the conservation of Ghana’s World Heritage structures.
The funding will support restoration works on six selected Forts and Castles along the Country’s coastline, complementing the Government of Ghana’s efforts to implement UNESCO’s conservation recommendations and safeguard the historic monuments for future generations.
Beyond the financial commitment, the Africa World Heritage Fund (AWHF) agreed to support the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts and the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board (GMMB) with specialised human resource development and capacity-building programmes to strengthen heritage conservation and management.
The World Heritage Institute of Training and Research for the Asia and the Pacific Region (WHIPIC) also pledged five years of technical training for the GMMB officers in heritage site interpretation and visitor experience management to enhance the presentation and visitor experience at Ghana’s heritage sites.
The Minister’s engagements included meetings with the UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Culture, the Africa World Heritage Fund, WHIPIC and the Executive Director of the Korean National Commission for UNESCO, all aimed at strengthening Ghana’s heritage management systems and mobilising international support for the country’s cultural assets. Expressing appreciation to the Government of the Republic of Korea and UNESCO partners, Madam Gomashie reaffirmed the Mahama administration’s commitment to preserving Ghana’s cultural heritage as a strategic driver of tourism, education, employment and sustainable national development.
