Context and justification of the need

About Expertise France

Expertise France is an inter-ministerial agency in charge of international technical cooperation and is the second-largest in Europe, with 51% of its funding coming from the European Union. As a subsidiary of the French Development Agency (AFD) Group, it designs and implements projects aimed at strengthening public policies in key development sectors such as governance, security, climate change, health, education, but also culture.

With a business volume of €324 million in 2021 and a portfolio of over 350 projects across 100 countries, Expertise France has extensive experience in developing technical cooperation projects in public and private sectors development, particularly in supporting public-private dialogue, regional integration, and public-private partnerships. Mandated by partner countries and donors, Expertise France recruits specialized experts for each project to mobilize the appropriate expertise for each mission.

Project’s summary

SANKOFA II is an ambitious multi-sectoral initiative designed to contribute to Ghana’s sustainable cultural and economic development by strengthening the country’s cultural heritage management and boosting its Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs). Building on the achievements of the first SANKOFA project, this second phase aligns with Ghana’s national strategies (National Tourism Development Plan, Creative Arts Strategic Framework, Digital Ghana Agenda) and directly contributes to EU priorities in West Africa (Global Gateway, Digital for Development Hub, Youth Action Plan).

SANKOFA II addresses the structural challenges facing Ghana’s rich but underexploited heritage sector, including limited institutional capacity, outdated legal frameworks, and insufficient documentation, while unlocking the economic and social potential of CCIs in areas such as music, fashion, film, animation, and digital content creation.

The project’s general objective is to promote sustainable heritage tourism and cultural economic growth in Ghana. It does so through two main components :

• Component 1 (Cultural Heritage): Enhancing heritage conservation and management, making Ghana’s heritage more accessible and understandable for diverse audiences;
• Component 2 (Cultural & Creatives Industries): Supporting innovation, inclusion, and professionalization in the creative industries, with a special focus on youth and women.

Key activities include:

• Capacity-building for public institutions such as the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board (GMMB) and other relevant institutions;
• Development of technical documentation and digital tools (Arch Lab, 3D scans, VR content) to safeguard and showcase built heritage;
• Support for sustainable and inclusive cultural events (festivals in music, fashion, film, animation, literature, visual arts etc.);
• Professional training, international mobility, and networking opportunities for artists, creative entrepreneurs, and cultural operators;
• A cross-cutting commitment to gender equality, environmental responsibility, digital transformation, and community participation.

Expected specific objectives (outcomes) include:

• Ghanaian heritage is more accessible and comprehensible through improved conservation efforts, increased valorization, and wider dissemination to diverse audiences, ensuring equitable access and engagement of all genders;
• Ghanaian cultural actors, especially women, strengthen their professional skills and expand their professional networks.

SANKOFA II is implemented by Expertise France, in close cooperation with national institutions, local creative operators, civil society, and European and regional partners. With a total budget of €2.5 million over 36 months, the project exemplifies Team Europe’s integrated approach, using culture as a driver of inclusive growth, international dialogue, and shared heritage preservation.

Project’s context

Ghana has a rich cultural and architectural heritage, including historical sites, traditional buildings, and a dynamic creative sector. However, this potential remains underutilized due to structural challenges such as weak institutional capacity, limited documentation and digitalization, restricted access, and insufficient integration of culture into development and tourism policies.

The country is home to two UNESCO World Heritage categories: historic forts and castles along the coast, and traditional Ashanti buildings. Despite this, the tourism sector faces issues such as limited training, weak governance, outdated legislation, and insufficient community involvement.

At the same time, Ghana’s Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs) are rapidly growing and contributed about 2.5% of GDP in 2024, with potential to reach 5% through exports. These industries, such as music, fashion, film, and visual arts, offer strong opportunities for job creation, especially for youth. However, they face challenges including limited access to financing, fragmented support systems, and inadequate infrastructure.

To address these issues, initiatives like the SANKOFA I project (2021–2022) strengthened research, education, and professional capacity in heritage and tourism. Its successor, SANKOFA II, aims to further structure the heritage sector while integrating and supporting CCIs.

SANKOFA II aligns with Ghana’s national strategies (culture policy, tourism development plan, creative arts framework, and digital agenda) and with EU priorities, including digitalization, youth employment, and sustainable development.