Ghana

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(United States Committee, International Council on Monuments and Sites)

401 F Street NW, room 331 Washington, DC 20001-2728, USA Tel: 202-842-1866, Fax: 202-842-1861 Website: www.icomos.org/usicomos Project Manager: Ellen Delage, Director of Programs E-mail: edelage@usicomos.org Cape Coast Project Staff: Gina Haney, Project Coordinator Ferdinand Addo, Deputy Coordinator Patrick Nunoo, Intern Tel: 233-42-33041; Fax: 233-42-33042 E-mail: ICOMOS@aol.com; cighana@ghana.com US/ICOMOS

This project is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Substantial in-kind contributions have been made by: Michael Tuite, Manager, New Media Center, University of Virginia, with Christine Madrid and other staff Douglas C. Comer,US/ICOMOS Cultural Site Analysis Initiative, Assisted by Sarah Dangelas and Paula Miller, University of Maryland

U S / I C O M O S

Historic Preservation in Cape Coast

Design: Eleonora Machado

US/ICOMOS

Pratt Cassity, Director, National Alliance of Preservation Commissions The University of Georgia School of Environmental Design

US/ICOMOS Conservation International

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Historic Preservation in

Cape Coast US/ICOMOS has launched a project in Cape Coast, Ghana, that focuses on the ecology of heritage and the management of change. The historic town of Cape Coast is a rich urban fabric of 19th and 20th century architecture that blends West African traditions with the styles of the European nations that traded along the Gold Coast.

These architectural resources, along with the traditional shrines, the Christian churches and the later Muslim influences; the local fishing industry, and the markets; as well as the many structures reflecting the town’s role as a center of secondary and university education, have all contributed to a diverse and unique townscape that fans out over the hills from the castle and the sea. Cape Coast Castle is one of more than 40 fortifications associated with the Gold Coast trade that are included in the World Heritage List, cultural monuments of such great significance that they are considered the heritage of all humankind.

The renewed vitality of the historic center of Cape Coast and the enhancement of its heritage are the objectives of this project. The long-term conservation of its resources and the development of sensitive tourism can result in economic benefits to the local community.

Working with Conservation International, the international nonprofit organization that is directing a broad program of natural resouces conservation, US/ICOMOS is managing the historic preservation component of a USAID-funded grant, Consolidation Phase, Natural Resources Conservation and Historic Preservation Project, Central Region, Ghana. The first phase saw

the restoration of Cape Coast and Elmina Castles and Fort St. Jago; the establishment of a museum and interpretive programs; and the creation of rainforest park, Kakum National Park. The Ghana Heritage Conservation Trust (GHCT) was created and charged with the longterm conservation, management and development of the cultural and natural resources in the triangle of Cape Coast-Elmina-Kakum.

The Consolidation Phase is focusing on preservation activities to restore the fabric of the community and assure the conservation of its heritage.

Planning • The project is developing a digital inventory of the

• A small grants

scheme offers funds to home and business-owners in the historic center to purchase materials for maintenance and emergency repairs.

Restoration Project One of the most important buildings in Cape Coast, Government House is being restored and re-commissioned as Heri-tage House and the Ato Austin Memorial Gardens, home to the newly-created Ghana Heritage Conservation Trust.

cultural resources of Cape Coast.

• A municipal GIS is being constructed that inte-

grates information on historic buildings and sites with urban development data.

• A planning charette will bring together 25 national and international experts to examine the needs of conservation in the context of tourism development.

Community Outreach • Based on the results of a background study of

Ghanaian environmental law, meetings are being held with municipal and traditional authorities and members of the community to examine the possibilities of framing local ordinances to protect historic resources.

• Concert Parties on the themes of preservation, maintenance and local history are being developed and performed for the community.

• Asafo Companies and municipal authorities are organizing neighborhood clean-up days.

Interpretation and Education An evolving exhibition on Government House is documenting its history and the restoration process.

• With the Ghana Tourist Board (GTB) and the National Association of Tour Guides, a guide training program is being offered to community members who seek this business opportunity.

• Walking tour itineraries are being developed based on the research and data from the local cultural resources inventory.

• A program for local artists and artisans will develop signage for itineraries and historical markers for buildings and sites •

Photo Credits: Chris Caldicott, Pratt Cassity and Ellen Delage

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