At the 46th Session of the World Heritage Committee held today, Hon. Mark Okraku Mantey, Deputy Minister for Tourism, Arts, and Culture of Ghana, addressed the committee with a strong message of commitment towards the conservation of Ghana’s Forts and Castles World Heritage Properties.

Hon. Mantey’s address was a significant moment, emphasizing Ghana’s dedication to preserving its historical sites and rallying international support for these efforts. His speech underscored the importance of international cooperation and the need for continued support from UNESCO and its advisory bodies.

In his intervention, Deputy Minister Mantey expressed gratitude to UNESCO and its advisory bodies for their continued support in managing the Forts and Castles.

“UNESCO’s support has been instrumental in our efforts to conserve these invaluable sites, and we deeply appreciate their unwavering commitment.”
Hon. Mark Okraku Mantey, Deputy Minister for Tourism, Arts, and Culture

Recalling an earlier request by the World Heritage Committee, Mantey highlighted the necessity for Ghana to mobilize the international community to support the conservation efforts. He assured the Committee that Ghana is committed to collaborating with the World Heritage Centre and its advisory bodies to achieve this goal.

The Deputy Minister underscored that the conservation issues at the Forts and Castles have become a national concern. These sites, rich in history and cultural heritage, face various challenges that require immediate attention.

“Our government has resourced the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, along with the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board, to effectively manage and conserve these heritage properties.”
Hon. Mark Okraku Mantey, Deputy Minister for Tourism, Arts, and Culture

Commitment to World Heritage Convention

Deputy Minister Mantey assured UNESCO of Ghana’s steadfast commitment to implementing the World Heritage Convention and its Operational Guidelines.

“Our commitment to the World Heritage Convention is unwavering, and we will ensure the effective conservation and management of our heritage properties.”
Hon. Mark Okraku Mantey, Deputy Minister for Tourism, Arts, and Culture

The World Heritage Committee, meeting annually, comprises representatives from twenty-one (21) States Parties to the Convention elected by their General Assembly. The Committee is tasked with implementing the World Heritage Convention, defining the use of the World Heritage Fund, and allocating financial assistance upon requests from States Parties.

The Committee has the final authority on the inscription of properties on the World Heritage List and examines reports on the state of conservation of inscribed properties, urging States Parties to take necessary actions when sites are not professionally managed.

Additionally, the Committee decides on the inscription or deletion of properties on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

Ghana’s delegation to the 46th Session of the World Heritage Committee is led by Hon. Mark Okraku Mantey, alongside Mr. Kingsley Ofosu Ntiamoah, Executive Director for Ghana Museums and Monuments Board; Miss Natalyn Oye Addo, also from the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board; and Mr. Christopher Wetcher, representing the Ghana Commission for UNESCO.

Their presence underscores Ghana’s serious commitment to the preservation of its cultural heritage and its willingness to collaborate with the international community to achieve these goals.

This session marks a pivotal moment for Ghana as it seeks to strengthen its partnership with UNESCO and other stakeholders in the global heritage community. Through collective efforts, the hope is to ensure the long-term sustainability and protection of the Forts and Castles World Heritage Properties, safeguarding them for future generations to appreciate and learn from.