In a move expected to revive holiday-season tourism activity, the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts has announced the immediate reopening of two major heritage forts, just days after their abrupt closure.
Ussher Fort and James Fort have now been restored to public access, while three other historic installations will remain closed as safety and restoration efforts continue.
The decision was communicated in a statement dated December 22, 2025, and signed by the sector minister, Abla Dzifa Gomashie (MP). The announcement follows only four days after the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board (GMMB) issued a directive shutting down five forts for maintenance-related reasons.
The earlier circular, issued on December 19, indicated that the temporary closure was to allow “critical maintenance activities, safety inspections, and conservation work” necessary to safeguard the structures’ “historical significance and physical stability.”
According to the Ministry’s latest release, further assessments and consultations with the GMMB have resulted in sufficient safeguards to allow controlled entry to the reopened forts “without endangering visitors or disrupting ongoing preservation works.” The statement stressed that the previous closure was taken strictly in the interest of public safety.
Access to the reopened sites, however, will now operate under newly-introduced restrictions. The Ministry noted that “strict access procedures and monitoring systems” have been instituted to ensure visiting activities do not interfere with restoration operations. The release further cautioned that all visitors, tour operators, and guides must strictly adhere to the rules, adding that entry into non-approved zones remains prohibited.
Meanwhile, Fort Apollonia at Beyin, Fort St. Anthony at Axim, and Fort Orange at Sekondi will continue to remain closed “until further notice,” consistent with the original GMMB directive. The initial shutdown of all five locations had drawn concern during the busy tourism period, with the GMMB issuing an apology for the inconvenience caused.
The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding Ghana’s cultural heritage while maintaining public access to historical landmarks in a manner that is safe, responsible, and educational.
