Government reopens Ussher and James forts after closure, imposes strict new rules

In a reversal likely to boost festive season tourism, the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts has announced the immediate reopening of two key historic forts just days after their unexpected closure. 

Ussher Fort and James Fort are now accessible to the public once more, while three other sites remain shut for safety works.

The reopening, announced in a press release dated December 22, 2025 and signed by the Minister, Abla Dzifa Gomashie (MP), comes merely four days after the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board (GMMB) ordered the closure of five forts. 

The initial December 19 directive from the GMMB had cited the need for "essential maintenance work, safety assessments and ongoing conservation activities" aimed at preserving the sites' "structural integrity and historical value."

The Ministry’s new release states that "subsequent to the temporary closure, reviews and consultations with the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board (GMMB) have resulted in adequate safety measures to allow controlled public access to the sites without compromising visitor safety or the integrity of ongoing restoration activities." It emphasised that the "earlier directive to close the Forts was issued purely in the interest of public safety."

However, access will not return fully to normal. Strict new protocols have been established. "As part of the reopening, the Ministry, in collaboration with the GMMB, has put in place strict access guidelines and monitoring mechanisms to ensure that visits do not interfere with the ongoing restoration works," the release detailed. It warned that "all Visitors, Tour Guides, and Operators are required to comply fully with the measures. Unauthorized access outside approved areas remain strictly prohibited."

This partial reopening leaves Fort Apollonia at Benyin, Fort St. Anthony at Axim, and Fort Orange at Sekondi still closed to the public "until further notice" as per the original GMMB order. The sudden closure of all five sites had posed a disruption during the peak tourist period, with the GMMB having apologised for "any inconvenience."

The Ministry’s statement concludes by reiterating "its commitment to preserving Ghana’s cultural heritage while ensuring that historic sites remain accessible, safe, and educational for all."