By George M.O. Williams
The West Africa Heritage Consultants Sierra Leone Limited, in partnership with the Commonwealth Heritage Forum, the Freetown City Council, and the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, has launched a training program on the restoration of cast iron components of the historic Old Fourah Bay College (FBC) Building in Cline Town, Freetown.
The initiative is training 20 students from Freetown Polytechnic, along with engineers, architects, and staff from the Ministry of Works and Public Assets, in specialized cast iron restoration techniques. This hands-on project aims to address the scarcity of such expertise in Sierra Leone.
The project is supported by the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Commonwealth Heritage Skills Training Programme, designed to equip young people across the Commonwealth with skills to conserve significant heritage structures. The program prioritizes countries with limited existing heritage conservation capacity.
In her keynote address, Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Nabeela Tunis, emphasized the importance of preserving cultural landmarks and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to heritage conservation. She noted Sierra Leone’s submission of six sites, including the Old FBC Building, for UNESCO World Heritage recognition.
Minister Tunis highlighted the significance of cast iron as a durable material requiring specialized maintenance, making this training crucial for bridging the local skills gap. “This initiative not only supports the restoration of this historic structure but also develops a skilled workforce for future conservation efforts,” she stated.
The building, originally constructed in 1845 under the guidance of Reverend James Beale, has historical importance as the first university college in Africa and as a center for teacher training by the African Missionary Society. Tragically, it was destroyed in 1999 during the rebel invasion of Freetown, leaving only its outer walls intact.
Architectural conservation expert Alex Coode, who is leading the training, expressed his honor at working on a project of such historical importance. Isatu Smith, Managing Director of West African Heritage Consultants, emphasized the program’s goal of imparting vital skills to protect heritage structures and reconnect people with their cultural identity.
The restoration of the Old Fourah Bay College Building not only aims to preserve a symbol of African education and history but also to inspire a broader cultural renaissance in Sierra Leone. This project signifies a vital step in safeguarding the nation’s tangible and intangible heritage for future generations.