Projects
Since its establishment, GHCT has been supporting the execution of projects focussed on 1) protected areas, 2) monuments, and 3) social projects in its operational areas with up to 75% of partial appropriation of drawdown of interest accrued from the Two Million United States Dollars (US$2M) endowment fund invested on the US market. On receipt of the drawdown of interest accrued for each year, the funds are allocated per a 40:40:20 ratio approved by GHCT’s Board of Trustees for implementation of identified protected areas, monuments, and social projects respectively.
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These address projects and activities that are reasonably geared towards stabilization, protection, conservation, and maintenance of the physical structures being part or forming part of the aforementioned monuments.
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Projects and activities that are meant to enhance knowledge, research, and training of personnel, the result of which will be of benefit to the aforementioned monuments.
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Education, publicity, and awareness activities about the need for stabilization, protection, appropriate renovation, and maintenance of the monuments as part of the world’s historical heritage and the historic import and value of the said monuments.
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The maintenance and development of interpretive facilities and exhibitions concerning the aforementioned monuments and associated artifacts for the public within or outside the monuments.
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Projects and activities that support, enhance, and encourage appropriate economic growth within local communities surrounding the monuments, without detriment to the integrity of their historical context and natural environment.
GHCT partners the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board (GMMB) in the execution of monument projects. GMMB is the statutory body established by the Government of Ghana and is the legal custodian of Ghana’s material cultural heritage. The function of GMMB is the sustainable conservation, interpretation and presentation of Ghana’s material cultural heritage for the education, appreciation and understanding of Ghanaians and the world at large. Both technical and financial support are provided GMMB each year on selected projects that are approved by GHCT’s Monuments Committee.
Protected Areas (Kakum National Park and Assin Attandanso Resource Reserve)
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Projects that are meant to enhance knowledge, capabilities, professional development, and the delivery of interpretive, research, management, and visitor services associated with the protected areas’ human resources, the result of which will be a benefit to the protected area.
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Projects that are meant to further understanding of the biological, ecological, and sociological dimensions of the conservation of the resources of the aforesaid protected areas through programmes of research, dissemination of knowledge, outreach, or public education.
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Programmes and related undertakings that will improve the environs and quality of the protected areas, without detriment to its resources, while striving to enhance the protected areas’ appeal
to visitors, involving communities as supporters and beneficiaries of conservation, and demonstrating sustainable conservation practices.
4. Education, publicity, and awareness campaigns about the need for conservation and protection of the biological diversity and the ecosystem of the protected areas, as well as other protected areas in Ghana and West Africa.
5. A project which explores solutions to management challenges within the protected areas.
6. Activities that support, enhance, and encourage appropriate economic growth within local communities surrounding the protected areas, without detriment to the natural environment.
Social Projects
(Community-related projects)
Social projects are managed primarily by the Community Advisory Committee (CAC) set up by GHCT’s Board of Trustees (BoT) with oversight by the Board’s Finance and Business Development Committee (F&BDC). CAC is made up of representatives from;
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Partners: GMMB, WD of FC and GTA
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Stakeholders: Eight (8) paramountcies in the operational area of GHCT namely Denkyira, Twifo Hemang, Assin Attandanso, Abura, Oguaa, Effutuakwa, Apimanim, and Edina
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Local Authorities: Six (6) Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in the operational areas of GHCT namely Cape Coast Metropolitan Assembly (CCMA), Komenda/Edina/Eguafo/Abirim Municipal Assembly (KEEAMA), Assin Central District Assembly (ACDA), Assin South District Assembly (ASDA), Hemang Lower Denkyira District Assembly (HLDDA) and Abura/Asebu/Kwamankese District Assembly (AAKDA).
The CAC meets twice a year to review proposals, select projects received from the various communities for implementation in the ensuing year, and review the implementation of approved projects. In approving projects, CAC ensures the fair and equitable allocation of project funds to the 6 MMDAs and 8 paramountcies indicated above.
GHCT supports the Wildlife Division (WD) of Forestry Commission’s field operations, mainly in the areas of law enforcement and ground coverage, collaborative resource management, tourism development and general support activities. Each year, GHCT disburses funds to WD to undertake predominantly the following recurring activities during the year:
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Fuel Subsidy for Park Operations
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Equip Law Enforcement Staff with adequate field logistics
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Internal training and capacity building for staff
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Establishment of woodlots in fringe communities
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Conservation Education in schools and communities
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Re-organize community volunteers in fringe communities
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Support identified farmers with high crop raiding with pepper fences, etc.