Ghana’s Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, has called for deliberate efforts to educate young people and the African diaspora about Ghana’s history and the country’s shared heritage with Europe.
The Minister made the call during discussions with a Danish delegation on a proposed pilot project to preserve and restore Osu Castle, one of Ghana’s significant historical landmarks.
The proposed initiative, supported by DKK 1 million in funding, is expected to deepen cooperation between Ghana and Denmark in heritage preservation, restoration and historical interpretation.
According to the Minister, the preservation of Ghana’s forts and castles must extend beyond maintaining their physical structures. She stressed the need to ensure that the stories associated with these sites are accurate, balanced and meaningful, particularly for younger generations.
She noted that Ghana’s historical sites provide important opportunities to help young people understand the country’s past, including its complex interactions with Europe and the wider African diaspora.
The restoration of Osu Castle is therefore expected to serve not only as a conservation project but also as an opportunity to strengthen historical education and promote a deeper understanding of Ghana’s heritage.
Ghana is also pursuing other international partnerships to protect its cultural heritage. The country is working with South Korea on the restoration of six UNESCO heritage sites, reflecting a broader commitment to mobilising international expertise and resources for heritage conservation.
The partnerships form part of Ghana’s efforts to position its historical and cultural assets as important resources for education, tourism, national identity and international cultural cooperation.
The proposed Osu Castle project could consequently become an important model for how Ghana preserves its heritage while ensuring that future generations have access to historically responsible and inclusive interpretations of the past.
