Partners

• AFRICA 2009 Programme
• Centre for Heritage Development in Africa (CHDA)
• Ghana Museums and Monuments Board

Financial partners

• Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA)
• National Heritage Board, Sweden
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Norway
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Finland
• DGCS Directorate General of Development Co-operation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Italy
• UNESCO World Heritage Centre

Duration: 8 - 12 September 2008

Place: Accra, Ghana

Participants
Seventeen professionals from the following twelve countries: Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Aim
The objective of the seminar was to explore the relationship between the tangible and intangible aspects of sacred heritage sites in order to facilitate the development of relevant and all-inclusive approaches to their management, conservation and promotion.

Content
The seminar programme was arranged in two broad themes; theme one looked at how sacred sites are identified but with particular emphasis on the typologies and characteristics of African sacred heritage sites, the “sacredness” of sacred heritage sites and finally the relationship between the tangible and intangible in African sacred heritage sites. Theme two on the other hand, looked at the management and conservation of intangible values of sacred sites with special emphasis on the experiences and challenges of conserving and managing sacred sites in Africa and approaches best suited for the management and conservation of sacred heritage sites.

Main achievements

• Seminar led to greater awareness on issues related to preservation of intangible heritage;
• participants came up with recommendations on  the identification, typologies and management of sacred sites;
• the seminar established procedures and processes of carrying out research, inventory and documentation on the intangible aspects of these sites;
• participants gained knowledge and insight on management of intangible aspects of heritage sites.;
• the seminar was successful in highlighting the importance of intangible heritage in the construction of tangible heritage;
• served as a platform of dialogue with decision makers, high priests and community leaders.

updated on: 11 June, 2009