Ghana’s historic forts, many dating back centuries, are now under severe threat from rising sea levels and coastal erosion driven by climate change. Fort Prinzenstein in Keta, built 240 years ago, has lost two-thirds of its structure to the Atlantic Ocean, with eight of its ten slave dungeons submerged before the installation of a sea defence wall. Other forts, like Fort Kongenstein in Ada and Fort Fredensborg in Old Ningo, have been either completely lost to the sea or severely damaged, reflecting the destructive impact of relentless tidal waves.
In addition to these monuments, entire coastal communities in Ghana, such as Fuveme, and Anlo, and parts of Accra like Glefe, are also on the brink of disappearing. Many residents have already been displaced, while some communities are now barely habitable, with narrow land strips left between the ocean and nearby lagoons.
To combat the escalating erosion, Ghana has implemented the 8.3-kilometer Keta Sea Defence Wall and the West Africa Coastal Areas Resilience Investment Project, which aims to protect critical areas like the Korle Lagoon, Densu Basin, and Keta Lagoon. Funded by the World Bank with $155 million, this project seeks to enhance resilience against tidal waves, pollution, and flooding along Ghana’s coastline.
Despite these efforts, the rate of coastline loss, averaging two meters annually, underscores the urgent need for sustainable solutions to protect both Ghana’s heritage sites and its vulnerable communities from further destruction.
