Ghana’s Historic Forts and Communities at Risk from Climate Change
Ghana is losing its historic forts and coastal communities due to climate change and rising sea levels. The coastline is eroding at an average of two meters per year, with some areas facing loss of up to 17 meters. Significant interventions are being implemented to protect these sites and communities, including the Keta Sea Defence Wall and the West Africa Coastal Areas Resilience Investment Project.
Ghana is facing the formidable challenge of losing its historic forts along its 550-kilometer coastline due to the severe impact of climate change, particularly intense tidal waves from the Atlantic Ocean. The situation extends beyond the forts, endangering several coastal communities that are also at risk of disappearing. Research conducted by the Institute for Environment and Sanitation Studies reveals that Ghana is losing an average of two meters of coastline annually to erosion, with certain locations experiencing losses of up to 17 meters in total. The historic slave forts and castles, crucial to Ghana’s cultural heritage, are increasingly threatened by rising sea levels which are exacerbated by climate change. For instance, Fort Prinzenstein, a 240-year-old structure in Keta, has experienced significant destruction over the past decade. James Ocloo Akorli, the fort’s custodian, reported that approximately two-thirds of the fort is now submerged. He stated, “Eight of its ten dungeons, originally built to hold enslaved Africans during the trans-Atlantic slave trade, were completely submerged before a sea defense wall was erected to protect what remains of the monument.” Similarly, the 18th-century Fort Kongenstein situated in Ada, has succumbed entirely to the tides, leaving no trace of its existence. Fort Fredensborg, which is 289 years old, now presents only a fraction of its former glory. Joyce Ayorkor Guddah, the Tourism and Culture Officer in Ningo Prampram district, characterized the situation saying, “Fort Vernon has become a death trap, as the tidal waves have severely damaged it.” Furthermore, many coastal communities from the Western Region to the Volta Region are facing imminent extinction. Akorli Simon, a former resident of Fuveme, recounted, “The Sea began swallowing our community. We were devastated and had to abandon Fuveme in 2016 after a powerful tidal surge washed away the land.” Those who fled relocated to Dzakplagbe, but fear looms that this village may also be submerged. In the Western Region, Anlo village has dwindled to a mere strip of land, now only 60 to 100 meters wide, nestled between tides and a lagoon fed by the River Pra. The coastal suburb of Glefe in Accra has similarly seen many residents vacate their homes due to the destructive tidal waves. To combat this threat of coastal erosion, significant interventions are underway, including the construction of an 8.3-kilometer Keta Sea Defence Wall, funded by the United States Export-Import Bank at a cost of $94 million. Additionally, the West Africa Coastal Areas Resilience Investment Project has been initiated in Ghana, with the aim of enhancing the resilience of the coastline and protecting essential coastal ecosystems. The Minister of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Ophelia Mensah Hayford, highlighted a $155 million World Bank initiative targeting areas like the Korle Lagoon, Densu Basin, and Keta Lagoon, which have long suffered from tidal surges, flooding, and erosion.
Ghana’s coastline is home to several historic forts that served as pivotal sites during the trans-Atlantic slave trade. These structures stand as monuments to Ghana’s colonial past and are integral to the nation’s cultural heritage. However, the continual rise in sea levels and increasing intensity of tidal waves, attributed to climate change, pose a significant threat to these historical sites and to the coastal communities that rely on them for their livelihoods.
In conclusion, Ghana’s historic forts are under severe threat due to climate change, with many already suffering extensive damage or being completely lost to the sea. Coupled with this loss is the imminent danger facing coastal communities due to relentless tidal waves and rising sea levels. Initiatives to protect these invaluable structures and the coastal areas are underway; however, the urgent need for effective climate change mitigation strategies remains a critical concern.
Original Source: www.rfi.fr
