See the current state of James Fort, the UNESCO World Heritage Site where Nkrumah wrote his autobiography

The James Fort, which is located in Accra and is one of Ghana’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites, has reportedly been left to rot.

According to a vice president of IMANI Africa, Bright Simons, the James Fort, where Ghana's first President, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, wrote his autobiography and campaigned to victory in Ghana's first multiparty democratic elections while in prison, is in its worst state since it was built in 1673 – 330 years ago.

He indicated that UNESCO has told Ghana to fix James Fort and all the other forts in the country, but the government of Ghana has told the organization that it cannot due to a lack of funds.

"Imagine the sadness of all who care about Ghana's heritage when they see its current state (check the video and pictures below). This is the worst state it has ever been in for approximately 330 years. UNESCO has repeatedly told Ghana to fix its forts and castles (it has the most in Africa).

"Ghana says it can't fix its forts and castles unless UNESCO brings the money. UNESCO says it can chip in, but Ghana must lead. After much hassle, Ghana committed GHS 2M (less than $150k). Woefully short! Time to outsource heritage sites to commercial operators on a merit basis," Simons wrote in a series of posts shared on X on Saturday, June 29, 2024.

He added, "Saddest of all: perhaps the biggest attraction of James Fort - Nkrumah's jail cell where he wrote his autobiography and campaigned to victory in Ghana's first multiparty democratic elections - has simply rotted to mould! By the end of the rainy season, nothing would be left!

The IMANI vice president shared visuals of the fort, which showed a very deplorable structure.

Almost all of the roofs of the fort had rotted and fallen off, with its inner structures left to the mercy of the weather.

See the visuals of the fort below:

BAI/NOQ

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