Revisiting Elmina and Cape Coast Castles: Harnessing History to Empower Ghana’s Youth

As a Ghanaian scholar, Elmina Castle and Cape Coast Castle hold significant meaning for me. These sites, central to the history of the transatlantic slave trade, are stark reminders of a painful past. At the same time, they raise critical questions about their relevance to the present and their potential role in addressing current challenges, particularly youth unemployment in Ghana.
Elmina Castle, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, and Cape Coast Castle, with its colonial architecture, are both iconic. However, they are not just historical sites. They represent unused opportunities to engage communities and create pathways for development.
These reflections come as I prepare to engage with the International Conference on African Development (iCAD 2025), organised by the Ghana Scholarly Society (GSS). The conference theme, “Sustainable Development and Youth Employment in Africa: Challenges and the Way Forward,” is particularly relevant in exploring how Ghana’s historical and cultural assets can be integrated into national development strategies.

Elmina Castle, with its historic structure overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, evokes both a majestic and sombre legacy.

The Castles and Their Modern Implications
Castles show how impregnable ideological differences operate. Once we are in our castle, we must be sure the walls are high enough to prevent adversarial attacks. Stated differently, forts and castles are designed to leave no room for ideological shifts which change mindsets. The design of the walls reminds me of how impossible it has always been to change human perception about race and pathways to economic development. At least China has proven that there are other pathways to economic development different from what the traditional textbooks theorise.
Similarly, while Elmina and Cape Coast Castles attract significant international attention and tourism, the economic benefits often fail to reach the surrounding communities. Similar to the ideology behind the design and architecture of forts and castles, capitalism still struggles to deal with what the African culture touts – I am, because you are!
For example, Youth living near these sites face persistent unemployment, despite the potential for heritage tourism to create jobs. This raises an important question: how can these historical landmarks across Africa be utilised to address pressing social and economic challenges? These realities point to the need for a deeper dialogue about how Ghana’s historical and cultural resources can be harnessed to address contemporary challenges.
Scholars have a critical role in shaping this conversation. By providing research and actionable insights, we can explore how these cultural sites can serve as resources for economic empowerment and sustainable growth.

Cape Coast Castle, a symbol of Ghana’s complex past, stands as a call to action for scholars and communities to reimagine its legacy.

Addressing Youth Unemployment
Youth unemployment in Ghana is a multifaceted issue. According to recent reports, while the country’s economy shows signs of growth, job creation has not kept pace with the demands of its young and rapidly growing population. This challenge calls for interdisciplinary solutions that address the root causes of unemployment while leveraging existing assets, like Ghana’s rich cultural heritage, for sustainable development. Youth unemployment in Ghana remains a significant issue, driven by structural challenges and a lack of opportunities. Scholars can contribute in three key ways:
1. Interdisciplinary Research: Bringing together insights from various fields—economics, sociology, history, and education—can provide a deeper understanding of the causes of youth unemployment and potential solutions. Conferences like iCAD 2025 are vital for fostering this type of dialogue.
2. Practical Solutions: Research on heritage tourism can inform strategies to involve local youth in the tourism economy. Initiatives such as training programs in tourism management, digital media, and entrepreneurship can help create jobs while preserving Ghana’s cultural heritage.
3. Policy Advocacy: Scholars can influence policy by highlighting the potential of cultural assets to contribute to economic growth and job creation.
Engaging Ghana’s Youth
During my visits to Elmina and Cape Coast in September 2023, I spoke with young people eager to make meaningful contributions to their communities. However, many expressed frustration at the lack of opportunities. Addressing this gap requires collaborative efforts from scholars, policymakers, and the private sector.
Programs that equip youth with skills in digital storytelling, heritage management, and tourism development could enable them to turn Ghana’s historical assets into drivers of economic activity. These efforts must be rooted in practical, locally relevant strategies that empower communities.
Others could explore sustainable tourism models that emphasise community participation, ensuring that the economic benefits of cultural tourism are equitably distributed.

A Call to Scholars and Societies
As we prepare for the iCAD 2025 conference organised by the Ghana Scholarly Society, it is important to recognise the potential of Elmina and Cape Coast Castles as more than symbols of history. They are resources that, if thoughtfully leveraged, can contribute to addressing some of Ghana’s most pressing challenges. The conference provides a timely and critical platform for scholars to engage in meaningful dialogue on these issues.
As Ghana looks to the future, it is imperative that its past, symbolised by landmarks like Elmina and Cape Coast Castles, be integrated into its developmental strategies. Scholars have a unique responsibility to contribute to this process and the upcoming iCAD conference provides an ideal platform to explore these ideas and develop actionable solutions.

Conclusion
As we go about our daily activities this year, let us all remember the legacy of Elmina and Cape Coast Castles. These historic sites are more than symbols of the past. They are calls to action, urging us to re-think how we can contribute to Ghana’s future.
Let their significance shape how we plan to give back, inspire how we approach the development of our own careers, and drive how we engage in building opportunities for the youth of Ghana. Through our collective efforts as scholars, policymakers, and community members, we can transform this legacy into a foundation for progress, ensuring a brighter future for Ghana and its next generation.
Let us seize this opportunity to be part of the change.

The writer–Dr Kweku Adams is an Associate Professor in International Business & Management at the University of Bradford
For further information or to collaborate with the GSS, please contact us:
Ghana Scholarly Society
Global Headquarters
United Kingdom
Website: www.ghscholars.com
Email: admin@ghscholars.com