The Ghana Heritage Conservation Trust (GHCT) has introduced its ambitious strategic plan for the next five years.

This marked a pivotal moment for the organisation, revealing a comprehensive roadmap designed to guide GHCT towards a future brimming with promise and opportunity.

GHCT is a non-profit, non-governmental organization dedicated to the preservation and conservation of Ghana's historic monuments, sites, and biodiversity.

With a core focus on the Central Region of Ghana, GHCT is committed to the development, enhancement, and sustainable management of the area's natural and cultural assets. This mission is achieved through strategic partnerships with key stakeholders, including the Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission, with whom GHCT manages the Kakum Conservation Area, and the Ghana Museum and Monuments Board, overseeing vital historical sites like Elmina and Cape Coast Castles and Fort San Jago.

In her opening address, Theresa Ayoade, a distinguished trustee, highlighted the significance of the strategic plan.

She remarked, "Today marks a significant milestone in our journey. This strategic plan is more than just a document; it embodies our collective vision and reflects our shared values and aspirations. It represents the culmination of extensive collaboration, thoughtful dialogue, and a profound understanding of the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead."

The strategic plan is the result of a thorough analysis of both the heritage sector’s landscape and GHCT’s internal strengths and weaknesses. It delineates the priorities and goals necessary for preserving and promoting Ghana's rich natural, cultural, and historical heritage.

The plan underscores GHCT's commitment to working collaboratively with government agencies, civil society organizations, communities, and other stakeholders to achieve its objectives.

Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Prof. Edward Marfo-Yiadom, presented the five-year strategic plan.

He outlined the organisation’s mission, vision, and core values, stating,

"Our mission is to develop, enhance, and manage the natural, cultural, and historic potential of the Central Region and Ghana as a whole, for the benefit of present and future generations. This is achieved through conservation, education, and sustainable tourism."

Prof. Marfo-Yiadom also highlighted GHCT's core values which included integrity, respect, sustainability and safety.

The strategic plan is structured around seven key areas. They are Governance, Management, and Administration; Sustainable Financial Management; Sustainable Tourism; Business Development; Conservation and Restoration; Education and Outreach as well as Research, Documentation, and Publication.

To fund these initiatives, GHCT has launched the GHCT Fund, which will support the organization through donations, grants, and partnerships over the next five years. The fund aims to ensure the effective implementation of the strategic plan.

During the event, several tourism-related artworks were auctioned to raise funds for the project. These pieces, captured by renowned International Ghanaian photographer Yaw Pare, featured iconic sites such as Elmina Castle, Cape Coast Castle, Kakum Forest, and others.

The event attracted numerous dignitaries and representatives from various institutions, including Edmund Moukala from UNESCO; Wendy Van Meel, Deputy Head of the Kingdom of the Netherlands accompanied by Baaba Boaham Ainsoh; officials from the Kakum National Park; the Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission; the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board; the Ghana Institute of Engineering, and several tourism and heritage organizations.

The Board of Trustees includes Prof. Edward Marfo-Yiadom – Chairman; Stella W. Appenteng – Chairperson, Communications Committee; Nathaniel Tabariyeng – Treasurer; Rabbi Kohan Halevi – Chairperson, Parks Committee; Solomon Faakye – Legal Advisor; Kwaku Boakye – Member, Parks Committee, Philip Aboagye – Member, Monuments Committee and Theresa Ayoade – Member, Communications Committee.

In his closing remarks, Prof. Marfo-Yiadom called upon all stakeholders to support GHCT's strategic plan through financial contributions or in-kind support. The event, chaired by Mr. Nkunu Akyea, a former board member, emphasized the collaborative effort required to achieve GHCT’s vision for Ghana’s heritage conservation.

The strategic plan not only charts a course for GHCT's future but also reaffirms its dedication to preserving Ghana's rich cultural and historical legacy for future generations.