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Eyewitness News
27-05-2025
- Eyewitness News
Along Ghana's vanishing coast, climate change swallows history, homes
KETA - The salty wind blows across the ruins of Ghana's Fort Prinzenstein, where thick walls once held thousands of enslaved Africans before their journey across the Atlantic. Now, only a shell remains - a crumbling monument teetering at the edge of the sea. For centuries, Ghana's coastline has borne the brunt of history. Today, it is being consumed by nature and neglect as climate change, rising sea levels and unchecked human activity eat away at the 550-kilometre shore. Villages are vanishing, and with them, centuries-old heritage. The modern economy is also at risk. A few metres away from the fort, Ernestina Gavor cleans a glass behind a bar. "I'm hoping it survives a few more years," she told AFP, noting that the restaurant relies on tourists to keep afloat. Fort Prinzenstein, once a Danish slave fort and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is among the most threatened sites on Ghana's coast. James Ocloo Akorli, its caretaker for 24 years, has watched the Gulf of Guinea claw away at the structure - and his memories. The coast used to be about four miles from the fort, he recounted. The village he was born in has been swept away, his family packing up and leaving in 1984. Today, only 10% of the original fort survives. The dungeons that once held enslaved women are still visible, but the men's quarters have been swallowed by the waves. "This fort used to be significant," Akorli told AFP. "Now, we are losing everything - our history, our homes and our livelihoods." MODERN ECONOMY AT RISK Ghana's castles and forts - particularly Cape Coast Castle and Elmina Castle - attract thousands of visitors each year, mostly African Americans seeking to reconnect with their ancestral past. "For Afro-descendants, they are sacred places - testimonies of our resilience, our pain and our ingenuity. If we lose them, we lose our connection to history," said Edmond Moukala, UNESCO's representative in Ghana. But preserving that history is proving difficult. Chris Gordon, an environmental scientist at the University of Ghana, warned that the scale of intervention required was beyond the country's current means. "You'd need the kind of coastal defences they have in the Netherlands," he told AFP. History isn't the only thing at risk. Samuel Yevu, 45, was among those displaced after "tidal waves", as ocean surges are locally known, swept through nearby Fuvemeh village in March. "We used to have coconut trees, fishing nets, everything. Now it's all gone," said Yevu, whose family sleeps in a school classroom. In 2000, Ghana launched a $100-million sea wall project to protect communities like Keta, home to Fort Prinzenstein. It saved the town, but shifted erosion eastwards, devastating places like Agavedzi and Aflao. Experts warn that short-sighted interventions - like groynes and sea walls - can worsen erosion by redirecting the ocean's energy elsewhere. Meanwhile, human interventions that worsen natural coastal erosion continue unabated. "Sand mining, river damming, unregulated construction - they all starve the coast of sediment," said Gordon. A study by the University of Ghana suggests the country could lose key landmarks like Christiansborg Castle and Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum within decades if nothing is done. The country's modern economy is also heavily reliant on coastal activities, from ports and fishing to oil and gas. Yet the destruction of Fort Prinzenstein - stone of the prince, in the Danish language - is particularly poignant because of its unique role in the slave trade. Akorli recounted how enslaved people from modern-day Benin, Nigeria and Togo were branded, sorted and shipped from the fort, even after Britain outlawed the slave trade in 1807. "This is the only fort in the Volta region. Togo doesn't have one. Benin doesn't. Nigeria doesn't," he said. 'LOSING A GRAVEYARD' At Cape Coast Castle, a tour guide warned of a similar fate. "Every day, people from the diaspora come here and cry in these dungeons," he said, requesting anonymity since he was not authorised to speak to the media. "If this castle disappears, it's like losing a graveyard of millions. It's not just Ghana's history - it's world history." Even so, maintenance remains neglected. Moukala, from UNESCO, believes the core problem is not erosion, but lack of care. "If there had been regular maintenance, we wouldn't witness the severe deterioration. These were buildings meant to last centuries. But neglect, urban development and vandalism have destroyed many." In Keta, Akorli's plea to authorities is urgent. "They must come as a matter of urgency, restore this fort to boost visitation, so that our brothers in the diaspora will not lose their roots."
Morocco World
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Morocco World
Ghana's Seperewa Revives Ancestral Echoes at Fez World Sacred Music Festival
Fez – The city of Fez, cloaked in centuries of history and the whispers of spiritual traditions, recently opened its arms to a sacred sound nearly lost to time. At the 28th edition of the Fez World Sacred Music Festival, the seperewa, an ancient Ghanaian harp-lute, sang once more through the hands of master musician Osei Kwame Korankye and his daughter, rising artist and ethnomusicologist Rama Blak. This year, the festival served as more than just a cultural exchange. It became a ceremonial revival, an ode to ancestral memory and an assertion of African identity. In an exclusive interview with Morocco World News (MWN), the father-daughter duo shared their mission to reclaim and reintroduce the spiritual power of Ghanaian traditional music to a global audience. The Seperewa: voice of a vanishing heritage 'Seperewa is a traditional instrument of the Akan people in Ghana,' explained Osei Kwame Korankye, founder and leader of the Seperewa Agofoma ensemble. 'It's a very old instrument. History tells us that it was discovered around 1600, and this is the soul of Ghanaian highlife that we are enjoying today.' Historically a royal instrument, the seperewa once played a prominent role in Akan court ceremonies before it fell into obscurity during the colonial era, as Western instruments like the guitar gained popularity. 'It disappeared when the guitar was introduced,' Korankye recalled. 'And then finally, my grandfather, Kolo Opeini Kwabene Jakun, had a dream and rediscovered it. He taught me how to play.' This rediscovery became a generational mission. Today, Osei Kwame Korankye is widely regarded as the custodian of the seperewa tradition, having taught at the University of Ghana and performed across Africa, Europe, the US, and the UK His ensemble brings together seperewa, adenkum (calabash gourd), prempensiwa (lamellophone-cajón), and traditional percussion in performances that are celebratory and reverent. A musical legacy carried forward Also performing at the festival was Korankye's daughter, Awura Ama Agyapong, known by her stage name Rama Blak. A student of ethnomusicology at the University of Ghana, Rama represents a new generation of Ghanaian musicians who are reconnecting with traditional roots after growing up in a world dominated by foreign musical influences. 'It was a little bit of a cultural shock,' she shared. 'I was always hearing foreign music growing up. But then I came to university and began to explore traditional music. That's when my father started training me.' For Rama, sacred music holds a powerful, often unspoken message. 'The music actually communicates things that are too sensitive to talk about openly,' she said. 'Sometimes the music helps us express ourselves in a more coded language. That's why it's sacred.' A sacred encounter in Fez The Fez World Sacred Music Festival was the perfect stage for this message. 'This is not just to come and have fun and go,' Korankye noted. 'We are trying to prove to the world to understand our spiritual music.' The family was deeply moved by the festival's mission and spirit. 'Even my daughter was so happy when we arrived,' he smiled. 'We are trying to tell our listeners, I believe maybe our viewers too, that something interesting is happening, and it has started already.' Rama echoed the sentiment. 'This is my first time in Morocco. It's been an amazing time. The weather is amazing. The sound is amazing. Everything is working perfectly… Maybe I might not go back.' Korankye saw the similarities between Ghanaian and Moroccan musical traditions not just in sound but in spirit. 'This is Africa, so I don't think it's different from what you have,' he said. 'We are also here to learn more from Moroccan music.' Preserving the past, educating the future A central theme of Korankye's mission is education. 'It's an old instrument that the generation sees as a new thing to them,' he said. 'That is why we have started educating them. We do performances and demonstrations. We tell them the value, the importance of it.' According to Korankye, the results are promising. 'Looking 10 to 15 years back, I can see that there's a lot of improvement. The young ones are participating. So I believe it's in good hands. But it will take a little time.' The seperewa is now included in university music programs in Ghana, thanks in part to Korankye's advocacy and teaching. 'It has been inculcated into our educational system, which is very good,' said Rama. 'It's educating young ones about traditional music. And my father has also been training me how to play the traditional instruments. So I think it's working. It's just going to take a little time.' The growing visibility of seperewa music beyond Africa is a source of pride and motivation for the Agofoma ensemble. 'People love it,' Korankye affirmed. 'We had a performance before coming here, and looking at the demand, I think it's awesome. People want to listen to more because it has become a new thing to them.' He emphasized that careful presentation and modernization are key to its appeal. 'The way we have packaged it, people love it. There is hope… we call it 'more fire', we need to put more fire in it to encourage them.' A message from Fez to the world For Korankye and Rama, the experience at Fez is more than a performance opportunity, it is a call to action. Korankye expressed a desire to replicate the festival model in Ghana. 'I think we should also do the same thing in Ghana, so that the scholars will have the opportunity to write more things. The young ones will also have the opportunity to see and appreciate our culture too.' The seperewa's reawakening is a story of cultural revival and a testament to resilience, memory, and the power of music to transcend time. Through the strings of his harp-lute, Korankye is echoing the voices of generations past, with his daughter ensuring those echoes carry into the future.
CAF
27-04-2025
- Sport
- CAF
Ghana, Tanzania crowned CAF African Schools Football Championship champions in Accra
History was made at the University of Ghana on Saturday, 26 April as Ghana's U-15 Girls team and Tanzania's U-15 Boys team were crowned champions of the CAF African Schools Football Championship Continental Finals following thrilling final matches in Accra. Ghana's U-15 Girls delivered a spirited performance in front of an electrified home crowd, defeating Uganda 2-0 to lift the continental title in their debut appearance at the Finals. Their victory marks a proud moment for Ghanaian youth football, showcasing the nation's bright future on the African stage. Meanwhile, Tanzania's U-15 Boys successfully defended their title, overcoming a strong Senegal side in a dramatic penalty shootout after a fiercely contested 0-0 stalemate. The tournament, held at the University of Ghana from 23 to 26 April 2025, brought together the best young talents from across Africa, celebrating excellence, unity, and the transformative power of football. The successful conclusion of the four-day competition which marks is third successive season was attended by CAF President, Dr Patrice Motsepe alongside Ghana Head of State, His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama who jointly handed over the titles to both teams. The Ghana Boys U-15 also secured a podium finish on Saturday after overcoming Uganda in the third-place play-off, while former champions in the Girls division, South Africa also secured a bronze medal after edging Morocco 2-1. Saturday's final marks yet another successful season of Africa's largest schools football competition and continues to form a key component to achieving CAF President, Dr Motsepe's bold vision of Making African Football Globally Competitive and Self-sustaining. CAF African Schools Football Championship Ghana 2025 Individual Awards: GIRLS Top Scorer: Pulane Moloi (South Africa) Goalkeeper of the Tournament: Precious Akenguwie (Ghana) Player of the Tournament: Jennifer Awuku (Ghana) Fair Play Team: Morocco BOYS: Top Scorer: John Andor (Ghana), Ingatus Cyril Acquah Hagan (Ghana) Player of the Tournament: Souleymane Commissaire Faye Goalkeeper of the Tournament: Rajabu Manyelezi (Tanzania) Fair Play Team: Tanzania
CAF
25-04-2025
- Sport
- CAF
CAF African Schools Football Championship Semi-Finalists decided after thrilling Match Day 2
The semi-finalists of the CAF African Schools Football Championship Ghana 2025 were officially confirmed on Thursday, 24 March after Match Day 2 of the four-day competition was concluded at the University of Ghana in Accra. With the race for a place in the knockout stage entering its final stretch, the second day of the competition provided plenty of excitement in both the Boys and Girls divisions. Ghana, Senegal, Tanzania and Uganda are the four remaining clubs in the Boys division of the tournament after they secured their places in the semi-finals. The Ghanaians edged South Africa 1-0 in their first match of the day before cruising past Algeria by 3-0 in their second match to finish top of Group A along with Uganda who won 4-0 in both their matches against South Africa and Algeria. Reigning champions, Tanzania were held to a goalless draw by Cote d'Ivoire but managed to secure a slender 1-0 win against DR Congo which was enough to send them through. The hosts will be represented in both divisions after the Ghana Girls U-15 national team also secured their place in the semi-finals after their 2-0 win over Benin, which was followed by a convincing 3-0 victory over Malawi. Reigning champions South Africa were clinical against DR Congo after they put eight past them with a comfortable 8-0 win, which was followed by a 5-0 win over The Gambia to become the highest scoring side in the group stages with 13 goals. The hosts and defending champions will be joined by debutants Morocco and Uganda who will also be represented in both the boys and girls divisions. CAF African Schools Football Championship Ghana 2025 Semi-Finals Fixtures: FRIDAY, 25 APRIL BOYS 14h00 Local Time / GMT | Ghana vs Tanzania 14h00 Local Time / GMT | Senegal vs Uganda GIRLS 15h15 Local Time / GMT | Uganda vs Morocco 15h15 Local Time / GMT Ghana vs South Africa
CAF
24-04-2025
- Sport
- CAF
Constant encouragement is key at this level – Joyce Boatey-Agyei
Winning matches and ultimately the CAF African Schools Football Championship title is important for a host nation, however unearthing and nurturing talent supersedes this by far. These were the sentiments shared by head coach of the Ghana U-15 Girls national team on Wednesday afternoon, following their narrow 1-0 victory over Morocco on the opening day of the competition at the University of Ghana in Accra. Ghana are first time participants at the continental finals and with the backing of an expectant crowd, Boatey-Agyei is under no illusion of the importance of doing well as tournament hosts. While the gold medal remains the ultimate goal, the coach cautioned against putting this ahead of nurturing talent, putting a strong emphasise on the importance of guidance and encouragement of talent at this level. 'Sometimes the crowd and stage, can have a positive or negative effect on a player, depending on their personality. So, it is important that we play our role in guiding, protecting and encouraging them at this level. The talent is there, and it is unquestionable but without guidance, it will not flourish. Yes, it is important to win, and we are encouraged by this result, but equally important is the protection and nurturing our talent', said the coach. Reflecting on the team's performance against a strong Morocco side, Boatey-Agyei said the slow start was as a result of a bit of nerves and that the girls had to be reminded of their capabilities, which is something that must be done on a regular basis at this level of the game. 'We reminded them of the training we took them through. We made them understand that even though they are playing against a team from a different country, they are no different to teams that have faced in our preparation and that is why sometimes the stage has an effect on their performance, which is why we need to guide them at this level of the game', concluded the coach. Up next for the hosts is midday tie against Benin, who are high in confidence following their positive start to the tournament after edging Malawi 1-0. The hosts conclude their Day 2 matches with a late afternoon tie against a wounded Malawi who will be looking at boosting their chances of qualification with an upset against the hosts.
