An Asanteman–World Bank Heritage Development Initiative in Promoting Partnership with Ghanaian Traditional Leaders

This paper discusses the identification and documentation of Asante heritage assets in an initiative between the World Bank and the Asanteman Council, the traditional governing authority of the Asante people of Ghana. The paper develops a documentation model based on recommended international standards for safeguarding this patrimony. The authors make proposals for engaging and strengthening traditional authorities and other stakeholders in the documentation, valuation, and preservation of Asante heritage. In addition, they make recommendations for the creation of appropriate institutions and strategies to use these assets for wealth creation and development and its replication elsewhere.