Ghana’s Coastal Forts and Communities Under Siege from Climate Change

Ghana is losing its historic forts along the Atlantic coastline due to climate change-induced tidal waves, threatening both cultural heritage and coastal communities. Approximately two meters of coastline is lost annually, with some areas losing up to 17 meters. Significant efforts, including the construction of a sea defense wall and resilience investment projects funded by international entities, aim to mitigate these losses and preserve crucial ecosystems.

Ghana is experiencing a significant loss of its historic forts along a coastline that stretches over 550 kilometers, primarily due to severe tidal waves originating from the Atlantic Ocean. A recent study conducted by the Institute for Environment and Sanitation Studies reveals that the nation is losing approximately two meters of its coastline each year, with some regions witnessing losses of up to 17 meters. The threats posed by climate change, particularly rising sea levels, endanger not only the livelihoods of communities residing in low-lying coastal areas but also the integrity of monumental sites such as the historic forts and castles that hold significant cultural heritage. One notable example is Fort Prinzenstein, a 240-year-old structure located in Keta, in the Volta Region. The fort has suffered considerable damage over the past decade from persistent tidal forces; its caretaker, James Ocloo Akorli, reports that nearly two-thirds of the fort has succumbed to the ocean. 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.” Likewise, Fort Kongenstein, constructed in the 18th century and situated in Ada in the Greater Accra Region, has similarly been overwhelmed by tidal encroachment, leaving no trace of the fort visible today. Fort Fredensborg in Old Ningo, which is 289 years old, has deteriorated into a mere shadow of its former self. Joyce Ayorkor Guddah, the Tourism and Culture Officer in Ningo Prampram, articulated the gravity of the situation, stating, “Fort Vernon has become a death trap, as the tidal waves have severely damaged it.” Beyond the forts, entire coastal communities are facing an existential threat. Akorli Simon, a former resident of Fuveme, shared a poignant recollection: “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.” Displaced residents have sought refuge in the neighboring coastal village of Dzakplagbe, yet fears linger that this village may experience a similar fate as Fuveme. The impact on villages such as Anlo in the Western Region is equally dire, where what once was a thriving community has now been reduced to a narrow strip of land confined between the ocean and an expanding lagoon. This pattern continues in Glefe, a suburb of Accra, where many have vacated their homes due to tidal destruction. In response to the growing challenges posed by coastal erosion, efforts are underway to implement protective measures. These include the construction of an 8.3-kilometer Keta Sea Defence Wall, initiated over a decade ago with substantial funding from the United States Export-Import Bank, amounting to $94 million. Moreover, the West Africa Coastal Areas Resilience Investment Project, Ghana 2, has been introduced, aimed at reinforcing the resilience of the coastline while restoring critical coastal ecosystems. Minister of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Ophelia Mensah Hayford, emphasized the project’s significance, stating, “the $155 million project, funded by the World Bank, will be implemented in key areas such as the Korle Lagoon, Densu Basin, and Keta Lagoon. These areas have long faced challenges from tidal waves, flooding, pollution, and erosion.”

Climate change presents a dire threat to Ghana’s coastal heritage, particularly to its historic forts and the communities that inhabit the coastline. As sea levels rise, the nation experiences significant erosion along its shores, leading to the gradual disappearance of both landmarks and homes. The cultural significance of these forts highlights the urgent need for preservation efforts in the face of environmental change, emphasizing the dual crisis of heritage loss and community displacement.

The coastal regions of Ghana are grappling with an alarming loss of historic forts and the erosion of communities, driven by the escalating impacts of climate change. Initiatives aimed at combatting these environmental challenges highlight the need to safeguard both cultural heritage and the safety of coastal inhabitants. As climate change continues to threaten these vital resources, the imperative for effective, sustainable action becomes increasingly urgent.

Original Source: www.rfi.fr