| Travel with HCN to Accra, Ghana for a remarkable opportunity to help establish heritage tourism in a quickly changing culture. HCN is partnering with local residents and the University of Georgia (USA) in a project to demonstrate the value of Ghana’s historic architecture and encourage its preservation. This project will illustrate how preservation can be a form of sustainable economic development. Initiation of the project coincides with the 2007 Golden Jubilee celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of Ghana’s independence and 150th anniversary of the abolition
of slavery.
 Our preservation partners have selected two structures for conservation work; with a large enough group of participants, both buildings will receive attention. The first is the Ablekuma Stone House. This building was constructed in the indigenous style of the late 1800s as the chief’s palace. It is located on the ridges outside of Accra. Also on the site are the Royal Cemetery and the spring and well. The Stone House has strong connections to the Traditional Council, and the project is supported by the Chief, Elders and villagers of Ablekuma. The community is being engulfed by the suburbs of Accra and is hoping to save their significant historic structures. Work will primarily involve removing incompatible Portland cement repairs and replacing them with lime mortar.
 The second structure is the Naa Laingoye House, a colonial building in Jamestown, constructed near the ocean in the mid-1800's and showing the British influence. It is a large brick and stone rubble masonry building with stucco coating and a wooden balcony. Urban residents are skeptical of the value of saving such historic buildings, and this project could serve as a tangible indication of the importance of proper rehabilitation. Once restored, plans are to convert the building to a Bed & Breakfast and restaurant to bring tourists to the area. Local leaders hope the project will educate the community in the benefits of cultural tourism, which can positively impact the area economy. Jamestown is the oldest part of Accra and is home to one of the largest working fishing harbors in the country. Little restoration work has been done there, despite the enormous potential.
Logistics
The workshop will be two weeks in length and participants may register for either one or two weeks. The cost is US$695 for one week and US$1390 for two weeks, which covers lodging, breakfast and lunch (dinners not included), insurance, workshop materials and instruction. Transportation to the workshop is not included and is the responsibility of the participant. There is a discount for registering before May 1, 2007; see Registration Form.
Workshop participants will be housed at the Ages Abba Hostel located in Accra; each room has a shower and toilet. Participants may check in on Sunday of the week they are attending. Work on the site is Monday through Friday. Saturday night, June 30, 2007, is not covered unless the participant is attending for both weeks. Participants will gather at the hostel on Sunday at 5 p.m. for an orientation followed by dinner together. A bus is being provided to take participants to and from the work sites. A local caterer will prepare box lunches each day. Bottled water will also be provided.
 The workshop includes a walking tour of old Accra and its heritage sites and monuments and a fieldtrip to the Central Region of Ghana to see World Heritage sites and other structures in Cape Coast and Elmina. These trips will be led by Sam Baddoo of Home Tours, a primary supporter and partner in this project.
Visitors to Ghana need a passport from their home country and a tourist visa for Ghana. Information on visas for Americans is available from the Ghana Embassy. When traveling to Ghana, malaria medication is necessary. Check with your local physician about this treatment. Insect repellant containing DEET is highly recommended. A certificate showing yellow fever vaccination is also required.
Additional medical information can be found on the CDC website. The climate in Ghana is tropical, with the eastern coastal belt being warm and comparatively dry. The daytime highs range from 27 to 30 C (80 to 86 F) and periods of light rain are probable. Please bring clothing that is appropriate for the weather as well as protective while working. Please be conscious that safety is an important issue at any work site. Additional details will be provided upon registration.
If you need additional information, please contact us at workshops@heritageconservation.net or call +1 303-444-0128.
If you find this project intriguing, but are unable to attend, you can still participate by supporting conservation work in Ghana and at other project sites with a tax-deductible donation to HCN. We have partnered with Groundspring.org to make it easy and safe for you to donate online:
If you would prefer to mail in a gift, please use our donation form. |
