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Ussher Fort rehabilitated
Accra, Feb 16, GNA - The 300,000-Euros first phase of the
Ussher Fort restoration project funded by the European
Commission (EC) was inaugurated in Accra on Friday.
The restoration works at the Fort, which was in a deplorable
state due to neglect as a result of lack of funds to
carryout regular maintenance started about a year ago.
The first phase of the project involved the refurbishment of
the entire structure, the building of a new museum on the
slave trade, tourist offices, painting and walling.
Mr Filiberto Ceriani-Sebregondi, Head of the European
Commission in Ghana, who inaugurated the project said the EC
accepted to support the project through the European
Development Fund as part of "The Cultural Heritage and Local
Economic Development of Elmina and Old Accra" project.
He said the restoration of Old Accra formed part of an
integrated strategy, "The Old Accra Integrated Urban
Development and Conservation Framework" approved by the
Cabinet in February 2000.
The Head of the EC Delegation explained that the Commission
agreed to undertake the project because of the special links
of various European countries including the Dutch, French
and eventually the British who named it "Ussher Fort".
Mr Ceriani-Sebregondi also stressed that the fort besides
acting as reminder of Ghana's past trade links with Europe
and legacy for its colonial past was used as a prison until
1985.
"I know many Ghanaian Political leaders and activists from
independence to recent time have been jailed in this
structure" he added.
Mr Gabriel Nii Tieko Tagoe, Project Coordinator for Old
Accra Re-development Project, said the restoration works
would raise awareness and educate young people in the
community on the need to preserve their cultural heritage.
He said the Fort apart from allowing international tourists
to stay a bit longer in Accra before going to the other
regions would also be a recreational area for the people in
Accra.
GNA
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