46th Session of the World Heritage Committee

Hon. Mark Okraku Mantey, Speaks at the 46th Session of the World Heritage Committee

On 25th July 2024, Hon. Mark Okraku Mantey, Deputy Minister for Tourism, Arts, and Culture took the floor at the 46th Session of the World Heritage Committee to address the conservation issue at the Forts and Castles World Heritage Properties.

In his intervention, the Deputy Minister, praised UNESCO and it’s advisory bodies for supporting Ghana to manage the Forts and Castles effectively.

The Minister mentioned that the conservation issue at the Forts and Castles has become a matter of national concern. He further mentioned that for this reason the Government of Ghana has resourced the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture and the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board to address the management and conservation issue at the properties.

Recalling an earlier request by the World Heritage Committee for Ghana to mobilize the international community to support the conservation of the properties, the Minister pointed out that Ghana will work with the World Heritage Center and it’s Advisory Bodies to mobilize the international community to support the conservation of the Forts and Castles.

The Minister concluded his intervention by assuring UNESCO that Ghana is committed to implementing the World Heritage Convention and it’s Operational Guidelines

Background

The World Heritage Committee meets once a year, and consists of representatives from 21 of the States Parties to the Convention elected by their General Assembly.

The Committee is responsible for the implementation of the World Heritage Convention, defines the use of the World Heritage Fund and allocates financial assistance upon requests from States Parties. It has the final say on whether a property is inscribed on the World Heritage List. It examines reports on the state of conservation of inscribed properties and asks States Parties to take action when properties are not being properly managed. It also 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 is composed of Hon. Mark Okraku Mantey, Deputy Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. Kingsley Ofosu Ntiamoah, Executive Director for Ghana Museums and Monuments Board, Miss Natalyn Oye Addo, Ghana Museums and Monuments Board, and Mr. Christopher Wetcher, Ghana Commission for UNESCO.

The session is taking place in New Delhi, India and it is scheduled for 21st to 31st July.