The Government of Ghana has launched a Documentary Heritage National Register to identify, catalogue, and protect the country’s historical records and cultural materials.
The initiative, led by the Deputy Minister for Education, brings together stakeholders including UNESCO representatives, diplomatic missions, and cultural institutions to strengthen preservation efforts nationwide.
Speaking at the launch, the Deputy Minister said the register provides a structured framework for safeguarding documentary heritage, including manuscripts, archival records, photographs, and audiovisual materials held in public institutions, private collections, and communities.
“Archives are the living memory of our nation,” he said, noting that such records support education, research, governance, and evidence-based decision-making.
He added that effective records management is essential for promoting transparency, accountability, and the protection of citizens’ rights.
The Deputy Minister acknowledged challenges facing the sector, including the deterioration of records, limited funding, and environmental threats. He called for increased investment, innovation, and stronger collaboration between public and private actors.
The launch aligns Ghana with UNESCO’s Memory of the World Programme, a global initiative established in 1992 to protect documentary heritage from neglect and destruction.
He noted that Ghana has made progress under the programme, including the establishment of a national committee in 2021 and hosting the 15th International Memory of the World Training Workshop in 2024.
According to him, the register will also position Ghana to nominate key documentary collections for international recognition and protection.
He emphasised the educational value of the initiative, saying it will provide students, researchers, and the public with reliable sources to better understand the country’s history.
The Deputy Minister commended the Public Records and Archives Administration Department (PRAAD), as well as universities, libraries, and museums, for their role in preserving Ghana’s heritage.
He reaffirmed government’s commitment to modernising archival systems, expanding digitisation, and building professional capacity in the sector.
He also urged institutions and individuals to support the initiative by nominating materials, participating in training programmes, and contributing to preservation efforts.
“This is a shared responsibility,” he said.
The launch marks a renewed national effort to preserve Ghana’s documentary heritage for future generations.
A1 Radio | 101.1 MHz | Moses Apiah | Accra
