The Deputy Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Yussif Issaka Jajah, has called for stronger legal frameworks to protect the country’s historical and cultural landmarks amid rapid infrastructural development in cities.
He stressed that Ghana had to strike a balance between infrastructure growth and cultural preservation, adding that heritage remained central to national identity, tourism and sustainable development.
Mr Jajah made the call at the Accra City Day Conference 2026 in Accra last Thursday.
The event brought together policymakers, traditional authorities, municipal authorities, academics and a cross section of Ghanaians to discuss ideas that could drive progress in the capital.
It was also used to explore strategies to align development with preservation in Ghana’s rapidly evolving cities.
Safeguard heritage
The deputy minister said that unregulated development in the past had already led to the loss or deterioration of some historic sites and traditions.
He, therefore, warned that continued neglect would result in irreversible damage.
“If we do not act now, we risk losing irreplaceable parts of our heritage,” he said.
Mr Jajah suggested deliberate measures to preserve heritage, including legal reforms, relocating residents to modern settlements while maintaining historic communities.
He urged authorities to update laws, enforce heritage impact assessments and strengthen institutional oversight to guide development.
He also emphasised the importance of enforceable by-laws at the local level to prevent indiscriminate changes to historic structures.
Mr Jajah stressed that clear legal frameworks would also help protect designated areas and guide future development.
He encouraged public awareness and stakeholder involvement, stressing that communities must understand the value of their cultural assets.
He also called for collaboration among government agencies, developers and communities to ensure that heritage considerations guide urban planning.
“Cultural heritage is not only about old buildings or monuments.
It is the living expression of our people, our languages, festivals, architecture, crafts and ways of life,” he added.
Continuity
For his part, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Accra City Hotel, Yaw Mamphey, urged stakeholders to ensure that development reflected the city’s heritage while meeting modern demands.
Mr Mamphey also urged participants at the conference to reflect on how Accra could grow while maintaining its identity and preserving its heritage.
“Modernisation and tradition are not opposing forces.
They co-exist, inform each other and give Accra the vibrant identity we celebrate today,” he added.
He said that Accra was a city shaped by both history and innovation, adding that everyday elements such as food and architecture reflected the city’s historical evolution.
Source:
www.graphic.com.gh