The Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts has called on architects to take a more active role in protecting Ghana’s built heritage, warning that the silence of experts in national development conversations poses a threat to the country’s cultural identity.
“If the experts are quiet, we destroy this country,” the Minister stated passionately during a courtesy call paid by a delegation from the Ghana Institute of Architects (GIA) yesterday in the conference room of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Creative Arts.
The Minister hosted the GIA delegation ahead of its Annual General Meeting (AGM), which will be held in Cape Coast from November 13 to 18, 2025, under the theme “From Castles to Future Cities.” The AGM will explore the lessons Ghana’s historic architecture offers for the design of resilient and inclusive future cities. The GIA is also extending invitations to architects from across the West African region — including Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Côte d’Ivoire—as well as internationally acclaimed Burkinabe architect Francis Kéré, who is expected to participate.
Among the delegation of architects was architect David Kojo Derban, founder of the Center for Architecture and Arts Heritage Africa, who, with his collaborator, AP Valetta from Malta, was recently honored with an international recognition award by the Architectural Record in Italy. The award was for the restoration proposals for the Osu Salem Presbyterian Boys School in Osu. Derban has led extensive advocacy and education around the conservation of historic buildings in Ghana. Presenting a memento of the award to the Honorable Minister, Derban said that the award was a sign that the tourism potential of Ghana’s urban architectural heritage was worth international attention.
In her remarks, Hon. Abla Dzifa Gomashie recalled past instances where significant heritage sites were demolished due to a lack of advocacy and professional intervention.
“Where were the architects when they pulled down the original drama studio to give way for the construction of the National Theatre to be built in its place? When historic buildings go down, we lose part of our story—and if the professionals stay silent, we all suffer,” she said.
The GIA President, Architect Tony Asare, and members of the delegation emphasized the Institute’s increasing focus on tourism infrastructure development, conservation, and restoration. As part of the AGM, the Institute plans to launch a design and ideas competition focused on exploring the tourism potential of some of Ghana’s 28 forts and castles.
The Ghana Institute of Architects affirmed its commitment to deeper collaboration with the Ministry to promote cultural heritage and sustainable development, positioning architecture as a key player in Ghana’s tourism and national development agenda.
Source: Mabel Delassie Awuku -PR – MoTCCA
