By Prince Acquah
Cape Coast, June 26, GNA – President John Dramani Mahama has pledged to rehabilitate the historic Cape Coast Castle to enhance its tourism appeal and preserve its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.Â
He assured that the Government would allocate adequate funds in the 2027 Budget to give the monument a facelift, following concerns about its deteriorating condition and threats by UNESCO to revoke its World Heritage status.
President Mahama gave the assurance on Friday when he visited the castle to assess its state as part of his two-day Resetting Ghana Tour of the Central Region.
Madam Ablah Dzifa Gomashie, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, had earlier expressed an urgent concern of the possibility of the Cape Coast Castle losing its UNESCO World Heritage status if preservation requirements were not met.
The President is on the tour to undertake first hand assessment of the impact of his government’s policies and programmes across various sectors.
Prior to visiting the castle, he cut the sod for the construction of a 24-hour economy market at Assin Bereku in the Assin North District and inspected the Kafodzidzi–Aburansa “Big Push” road project in the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem Municipality.
He also inspected the Nyamedom Community Planning and Health Services Compound and presented free healthcare kits to the facility as part of efforts to facilitate the Free Primary Healthcare policy.
On Saturday, June 27, he is scheduled to inspect the Apam-Mumford-Hweda-Dago-Otuam road project, engage citizens at the Mephiboseth Auditorium at Apam Junction and inspect the Winneba Junction underpass project.
President Mahama revealed that cabinet had recently discussed a report presented by the Minister of Tourism on the state of Ghana’s forts and castles and the concerns raised by UNESCO regarding their upkeep.
President Mahama indicated that tourism remained a critical sector of the economy, expressing government’s commitment to investing in tourism infrastructure to support national development.
“As part of our programme, we decided to come and inspect the Cape Coast Castle ourselves. I can assure you that in next year’s budget, we are going to make adequate provision to restore this place so that we keep it listed as a historical site,” he said.
President Mahama stressed the importance of maintaining the castle to international standards, describing it as one of Ghana’s most important heritage assets and a symbol of the country’s role in the history of the transatlantic slave trade.
He also pointed out that generations of descendants of enslaved Africans continued to visit Ghana to reconnect with their roots, making it necessary to preserve the forts and castles in good condition.
“Many people whose ancestors passed through these castles have an interest in coming back to see where they were held and how they were transported. We must keep these places attractive and well maintained,”
“…and so the Ministry of Tourism has to keep this in good shape so that it makes it attractive for people to come and see what’s happening,” he stressed.
President Mahama reiterated Ghana’s commitment to the global campaign for reparative justice and pledged continued support for initiatives that preserved and promoted the country’s historical heritage.
The President also commended the School of Performing Arts for its re-enactment of the slave trade experience, which was showcased during the recent Next Steps Conference on Reparations held in Accra.
He said the performance had deeply moved participants, including descendants of enslaved Africans, and had earned international recognition, leading to an invitation for the group to perform at the unveiling of a slavery monument in Barbados later this year.
“This is not the first time I’ve come to Cape Coast or Elmina or Osu castle but nothing prepares you for the re-enactment of how the slaves were treated. And so I want to thank our School of Performing Arts for coming here,” he said.
Madam Gomashie for her part, stressed the need to comply with UNESCO’s guidelines, particularly to clear the buffer zone around the castle, rallying the support of the Oguaa Traditional Council and all stakeholders to safeguard the facility.
She underscored the importance of safeguarding the castle for future generations, saying it served as a powerful reminder of the transatlantic slave trade and contributed significantly to Ghana’s tourism industry.
The Minister also commended President Mahama for his leadership in the global campaign for reparative justice, particularly Ghana’s role in pushing for international recognition of slavery as a crime against humanity.
GNA
Edited by Alice Tettey/Lydia Kukua Asamoah
Reporter: Prince AcquahÂ
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