9 August. The AFRICA 2009 Ninth Regional Course on the Conservation and Management of Immovable Heritage in sub-Saharan Africa was officially inaugurated in Kenya on 3 August by the Minister of State for National Heritage of Kenya, Rashid S. Shakombo.

The course, which started on the 23 July, is being coordinated and hosted by the Centre for Heritage Development in Africa (CHDA) in Mombasa.

The course focuses on the management planning process and is attended by 22 participants from 17 countries. Participants are drawn from varied professional backgrounds which include archaeology, architects, anthropologists, chemists, planners and engineers.

During the official opening the Minister of State for National Heritage welcomed the participants to the old town of Mombasa, where they will stay for three months. The participants are housed with Swahili families in the old town. The Minister also reiterated Kenya’s commitment to promote the African heritage through its support to the National Museums and to the Centre of Heritage Development in Africa.

The participants will also develop a draft management plan for one of the famous city parks in Mombasa, the Mama Ngina heritage site.

Member States represented: Botswana, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

updated on: 19 June, 2009