Context
Larabanga was the first mosque to be erected in Ghana, and is highly respected in Ghana. It has become an active religious site and a major pilgrimage destination for the Ghanaian Muslim community. The site is also an outstanding example of Sudanese architecture and mosque design. Only 8 mosques of this type remain in Ghana today.
Until 2002, Larabanga mosque suffered from an inadequate sand-cement coating which was applied in the 1970s. This plaster retained humidity in the structure (made of raw earth) and weakened its load bearing capacity. As a result of the trapped humidity, the wooden beams also got rotten and were partly eaten up by termites. Since 1970, wall portions have regularly collapsed. In early part of September 2000, the minaret collapsed during a rainstorm. This sand-cement coating applied in the 1079's as a means to definitively stop the decay of the walls proved to be a major source of problems:

• Maintenance required more attention than before;
• Maintaining a sand-cement plaster was much more costly than maintaining a traditional earth coating;
• The regular patching of the walls directly affected the integrity and authenticity

The site was inscribed on the World Monument List of 100 most endangered sites in 2002


Objective
The objective of the project was to restore the mosque to its pre-1970 state, before it was plastered with cement, in order to :

• Increase authenticity
• Increase durability
• Reduce maintenance and materials costs
• Another objective was to help the community raise regular funds for the site maintenance

Description
The project was developed over a 3 years period :

2002 : Inscription of the site on the 2002 Watch List (World Monuments Watch)

2003 : Documentation and complete restoration

• Condition survey of the site ;
• Data gathering (archive photographs and drawings) ;
• Physical survey ;
• Discussions with the population and its representatives on the overall organization and the repartition of responsibilities for the works to be implemented ;
• Identification of materials ;
• Experimentation (preparation of plaster and other wall finishes samples for taking decisions) ;
• Discussions with the various stakeholders on short, medium and long term management of the site ;
• Removal of inappropriate materials (cement plaster) and dismantling of weak parts ;
• Restoration of the mosque.

2004 : Preparation of promotional materials to raise funding for regular conservation

Results

• The mosque was completely restored between February and April 2003;
• The minaret, the mirhab and the roof were completely reconstructed;
  
• The restoration serves as an example for other similar mosques in Ghana
• Equipment was supplied to the community for conserving the site after restoration
• 8 masons and 12 labourers were trained during the restoration process
• 5 conservators from various GMMB station were also involved and trained
• In 2004, A 36-pages booklet was designed and 3000 copies delivered to the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board
• 8000 postcards (8 postcards x 1000 copies) were also printed and sent to the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board

Partners

Ghana Museums and Monuments board - Accra head office, Ghana Museums and Monuments board, Kumasi office, The World Monuments Fund programme, Larabanga Community (including the Chief Imam, Assembly man, Village Chief, Tingkpema, elders and traditional rulers, artisans and technicians), Damengo Municipality