Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts Abla Dzifa Gomashie says South Korea has agreed to support Ghana with US$4.5 million over five years to restore the country’s historic forts and castles, which are increasingly threatened by climate change and coastal erosion.

Speaking in a one-on-one interview with Class 91.3 FM’s Elizabeth Aidoo, the Minister said the initiative was being pursued in collaboration with UNESCO and South Korea’s National Commission for UNESCO.

She said the partnership would provide technical expertise and equipment to help preserve the historic sites, many of which are located along Ghana’s vulnerable coastline.

“Global warming and climate change have been merciless on our coastline,” Madam Gomashie said, stressing the need to protect the country’s heritage and coastal assets.

She explained that the collaboration with UNESCO and South Korea was intended to address the deterioration of the forts and castles and reposition them to receive more visitors.

“We are working with these two institutions, UNESCO, main UNESCO and then the Korean Natcom, to see how we can restore what we are losing with the forts and castles,” she said.

The Minister noted that the preservation drive was particularly important as Ghana strengthens its position on reparations and restitution under President John Dramani Mahama.

She said the forts and castles remained important to visitors, particularly members of the African diaspora seeking to reconnect with their heritage and history.

However, she acknowledged the need to improve the visitor experience to sustain interest in the sites.

Madam Gomashie also linked the preservation effort to her concerns about coastal communities, noting that the effects of tidal waves and coastal erosion extend beyond individual constituencies to threaten the country’s wider coastal heritage.

She said the government’s engagement with international partners was aimed at protecting these historic assets for future generations while strengthening Ghana’s tourism appeal.