Community perception of heritage values regarding a global monument in Ghana: implications for sustainable heritage management

Local communities around Ghana's global heritage site, the Forts and Castles of the Volta, Greater Accra, Central, and Western Regions, recognize its economic, aesthetic, historic, symbolic, and informational values but exhibit low attachment due to limited participation in management and direct economic benefits. This study highlights a critical gap in sustainable heritage management, where elitist approaches exclude local perspectives, despite their significance. Using qualitative methods—focus group discussions and in-depth interviews—it emphasizes the need for UNESCO and Ghana's Museums and Monuments Board to adopt more inclusive frameworks that prioritize community engagement and education on best practices for World Heritage Site conservation.

Mensah, J. (2021). Community perception of heritage values regarding a global monument in Ghana: implications for sustainable heritage management. Journal of Humanities and Applied Social Sciences, 4(4), 357–375. https://doi.org/10.1108/jhass-01-2021-0010