Short Description
Main Objective
The old mosques are the products of the long-distance trade network in northern Ghana. They form part of the tangible Islamic legacy in the region connected to early trading and Islamic scholarship centres in West Africa. They are built with sun-dried earth bricks with earthen flat roofs supported by earthen pillars and wooden poles. They are located along the old trade routes in the region. The construction medium used, like earth, is nondurable and, therefore, requires routine maintenance, conservation, and restoration to prolong their lifespan. There are ten extant of these mosques in the region challenged with modernization, Arabisation and climate change. They, however, form part of the tangible evidence of Islamic material culture and history in the region. The project aims at restoring, repairing, and conserving the Dondoli, Wuchiau and Nakore mosques out of the ten. The restoration works will concentrate on Dondoli and Wuchaiu because they are in a distressed situation due to climate change. With these unpredictable weather conditions, these old mosques need more attention for their sustainability to prolong their lifespan. They form part of the valuable heritage resources of the communities. The project is, therefore, community-led with technical support from the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board.
Outcomes
- Restoration of two mosques and opening them for visitors.
- Erection of signage direct visitors to the mosques.
- Establishment of mosque management committees in all areas to take care of routine maintenance.