Ghana and The Netherlands plan agreement on Mutual Cultural Heritage

Ghana and the Netherlands plan to conclude an agreement on the preservation of Mutual Cultural Heritage.

It is well known that Ghana and The Netherlands share a long history of which the heritage still remains till today. These are not only the forts and castles, but also in areas like family names and oral history, traditions and customs such as libation and fashion (Dutch wax).

The Netherlands also shares Mutual Cultural Heritage with other countries, like Indonesia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, India, the Russian Federation and Surinam.

The Netherlands has a general policy to conclude agreements on the preservation of this Mutual Cultural Heritage with these countries. Some agreements have already been conclude.

Recently, the experts from the Netherlands visited Ghana to discuss with relevant institutions and Ghanaian government organizations how such an agreement with Ghana could be drawn up.

On arrival, A Joint Mission was formed, with the Dutch side consisting of Mr. Jan Kennis of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Mrs. Sabine Grimbrere of the (Dutch) Ministry of Education, Culture and Science.

The Ghanaian counterparts were Mr. Yao Dzemefe of the National Commission on Culture and Mr. Nicolos Ivor of the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board.

Intensive discussions were held on Mutual Cultural Heritage and a draft of an agreement produced. This will undergo the necessary broad consultations in Ghana and The Netherlands and will hopefully be signed later this year.

The Mission paid courtesy calls on the National Commission on Culture, the Director Ghana Museums and Monuments Board, the Ministry of Tourism, the National Archives and the National Museum.

During a fieldtrip, Fort Amsterdam , Elimina Castle , the St. Jago Fort , St. Antonia in Axim and Fort Orange in Sekondi were visited. Courtesy calls were paid on the Omanhene of Elimina, Nana Condua VI and Nana Kobina Nketsia V, the Omanhene of Essikado, who also happens to be the chairman of the Ghana Museums and rehabilitation were also visited and discussions were held with the KEEA(Komenda ? Edina ?Eguafo- Abrem) District Assembly, the implementing organization, and HIS-A&A, the facilitators.

It is expected that this agreement will increase the possibilities for sustainable preservation and management of Mutual Cultural Heritage and the Netherlands.