The Sequels of Colonialism in the management of African World Heritage Sites – the case of Ghana.

Africa is a continent of great tangible and intangible heritage riches in both cultural and natural forms. In the past, its engagement with Europe through Slave Trade and Colonialism resulted in partitioning of its continents and people thus impacting community boundaries, cultural practices and heritage management in general. The Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage (UNESCO 1972 World Heritage Convention) through its Global Strategy for a Representative, Balanced and Credible World Heritage List since 1994 has enabled African heritage to be prioritized. Although this convention has all African States as signatories, little is left to show on the World Heritage List exemplifying the true nature of African Heritage Resources and Management Principles. As a mentee of the World Heritage Mentorship Program for Africa, I have participated in a few World Heritage visits to some African countries as a way of examining heritage management in Africa. Our mission to Ghana’s World Heritage Sites reveals how the impact of colonialism continues to eat the fabric in African heritage management from the consequences of disassociating community values and principles of heritage management concepts from African monument management. This presentation is thus a reflection of the realities of many African Heritage Sites linked with Colonialism through the lens Ghana’s iconic World Heritage Sites.