Furthermore, UNESCO has been fostering a collaborative dialogue with KNUST, particularly the university’s Center for Cultural and African Studies (CeCASt). The aim is to enhance the understanding and appreciation of the General History of Africa (GHA), emphasizing the shared history and diverse cultural heritage of the African continent. These efforts also align with the principles of the 1970 Convention on the return and restitution of cultural property, further demonstrating Ghana’s commitment to cultural preservation.
The donation of the UNESCO Kente Collection to the Opoku Ware II Museum, the Kente nomination dossier, and the Provisional Register are all part of a broader commitment to preserving Ghana’s vibrant and diverse heritage. Together, these initiatives signify a resilient push towards safeguarding our cultural assets and promoting sustainable development through heritage preservation.
These endeavours, in turn, reflect the spirit of the UNESCO 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, to which Ghana is a signatory, and underline the country’s unwavering commitment to protecting its rich cultural heritage.
In a related development, KNUST’s commitment to technology and innovation has been recognized internationally. The university’s Technology Consultancy Centre (TCC) was designated as a UNESCO Category 2 Centre in November 2021, highlighting its mission to provide cutting-edge engineering services for the technological advancement of Ghana and West Africa. This recognition is an affirmation of the critical role that technology and innovation play in driving sustainable development and prosperity in the region.
