Ghana is losing its historic coastal forts due to aggressive tidal waves from the Atlantic Ocean, which exacerbate coastal erosion at alarming rates. Significant historical sites such as Fort Prinzenstein and Fort Kongenstein face destruction, while numerous coastal communities risk disappearing completely. Interventions like sea defense projects are being implemented to combat these threats.
Ghana is experiencing the alarming loss of its historic coastal forts due to severe tidal waves generated by the Atlantic Ocean. Over a stretch of 550 kilometers, these sites of cultural heritage are vanishing, leading to profound concerns for both local communities and historical preservation. On average, Ghana loses approximately two meters of its coastline each year, with some regions encountering erosion losses of up to 17 meters in total, as documented by the Institute for Environment and Sanitation Studies. Historically significant structures such as Fort Prinzenstein, which is over 240 years old, have suffered greatly; current reports indicate that two-thirds of the fort is now submerged due to relentless tidal waves. The caretaker of the fort, James Ocloo Akorli, remarked that eight of its ten dungeons, once used to hold enslaved Africans, are entirely underwater. Similar fates have befallen Fort Kongenstein and Fort Fredensborg, which are now unrecognizable remnants of their former selves. Coastal communities are not exempt from these environmental challenges. Areas from the Western to the Volta Region face potential disappearance as seawater intrudes. Displaced residents, like Akorli Simon from Fuveme, recount harrowing experiences of being forced to relocate due to rising sea levels. Furthermore, villages such as Anlo and Glefe in Accra are being reduced to perilously narrow strips of land, caught between the encroaching sea and inland waters. In response to the escalating crisis, Ghana is initiating several interventions aimed at mitigating coastal erosion, including the Keta Sea Defence Wall, an 8.3-kilometer structure developed over the past decade with substantial financial backing from the United States Export-Import Bank. Additionally, the West Africa Coastal Areas Resilience Investment Project, Ghana 2, funded by the World Bank, will enhance the resilience of coastal ecosystems and restore critical habitats vulnerable to tidal waves.
The coastal regions of Ghana have a rich historical significance, particularly due to the presence of forts and castles that played a vital role in the trans-Atlantic slave trade. However, climate change has resulted in rising sea levels and increased tidal waves, posing a substantial threat to both cultural heritage sites and the communities that inhabit these at-risk areas. The issue of coastal erosion in Ghana is exacerbated by natural disasters and ongoing environmental changes, necessitating urgent attention and intervention to safeguard both the physical and cultural landscape of the nation.
Ghana’s coastal heritage is facing critical threats due to climate change, leading to substantial losses of historic forts and threatening the existence of coastal communities. Effective intervention strategies are essential to combat ongoing erosion and preserve both cultural identity and livelihoods. Without timely action, the cultural and historical legacy represented by these forts may be irretrievably lost to the sea.
Original Source: www.rfi.fr
