In a quest to effectively manage and promote the diverse heritage resources of Ghana through an inclusive and integrated approach, the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, the Ghana Heritage Committee, and the National Commission for UNESCO Ghana has launched an initiative dubbed “A Multi-Stakeholder Heritage Strategic Framework”.
The framework which is expected to expand from 2022 to 2029 is to foster ownership and responsibility towards the management of the country’s diverse heritage resources.
To encourage the treatment and handling of Ghana’s heritage resources with dignity and professionalism and by stimulating and encouraging inter-agency actions towards responsible stewardship and management of the diverse heritage resources of Ghana.
Speaking at the launch, the Deputy Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Hon. Mark Okraku Mantey stated that the framework will focus on developing the nation through five deployed areas.
“Specifically, the Multi-Stakeholder Heritage Strategic plans Framework 2022 to 2029 outlines five cardinal strategic and priority areas in managing and promoting the heritage resources of Ghana namely; Governance and Legislation; Climate change, Research and Development; Sustainability and Livelihood; Capacity building and Partnership.
He disclosed that the introduction of the heritage framework by the government is a step in the right direction and inline with the ministry’s vision.
“For us in the Tourism, Art and Culture industry, this heritage strategic plan framework comes at the crucial time and would serve as a major accelerator to the Ministry of Tourism, Art and Culture’s vision of positioning tourism to generate $5million per annum as well as bringing in 2million tourists and creating over 200,000 direct plus 400,000 indirect jobs, which to the large extend is based on the country’s rich and heritage resources,” he said.
He, however, described the initiative as a clarion call to all but urged both government and the private sector actors to be proactive in the promotion of the country’s heritage.
Head of UNESCO Ghana, Mr. Abdourahamane Diallo expressed gratitude to the members of the Ghana Heritage Committee for the tremendous work in promoting the heritage.
“I would like to extend from the onset my heartfelt congratulations to the steering committee and the technical committee of the Ghana Heritage Committee for the diligent work and dedication to the production, safeguarding and promotion of the country’s invaluable heritage. I wish to congratulate the achievement of the establishment of the committee and the launch of the framework,” he said.
“This could not have been possible without the diligency of the National Commission for UNESCO for being able to mobilize all the stakeholders for this wonderful event,” he added.
He called for the collaboration between private and government sectors to ensure effective promotion of the heritage.
“All private and public sectors have to come together to promote the rich heritage resources of the country. Such as the Kakum park, Mole park, zoo’s, Reserves and other private owned resources as well,” he stated.
The event which came off on Thursday, 16th December in Accra also witnessed some goodwill messages from the Ambassador of France to Ghana, Ghana Museums and Monuments Board, Ghana Tourism Authority among others.
The various ministries under the government which include the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Ministry and others were each presented with the Strategic heritage Framework for careful study and implementation.
The Multi-Stakeholder Heritage Strategic Framework shall be implemented by institutions (lead actors and collaborators as indicated in the implementation matrix) whose mandates fall within strategic priority areas actions outlined in the framework.
The Ghana Heritage Committee (GHC), the first of its kind in the West African Sub-Region was inaugurated on 23rd September, 2020 by the Hon. Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, Chief of Staff of the president of the Republic of Ghana, Hon. Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh former Minister for Education and chairman of the Ghana Commission for UNESCO.
The GHC is composed of all stakeholder institutions whose work has an impact on Ghana’s heritage. The committee is made up of Steering, Technical Committees, and a Secretariat.
The committee which is under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture is hosted by Ghana Commission for UNESCO.
