Castles and Forts in Ghana

One positive impact of colonial rule on the development of Ghana is establishment of forts and castles to improve the housing systems in the country. The Colonial Masters built forts and castles along the coastal areas since it was their early settlement before they spread it through the width and length of the country.

Basically, the forts and castles built by the Colonial Masters were serving as Educational centers for the mollatoes, market center, place for worship and residence for the Governor who was in charge of the Colony.

There are numerous of castles built in Gold Coast but the popular ones are Elimina Castle, Osu Castle and Cape Coast Castle.

The Elimina Castle was established by the early Portuguese traders in the year 1482. It was then called Saint George’s Castle. It is the largest European structure in sub-Saharan Africa. It is a historical site for domestic and international tourists.

The Osu Castle also known as the Christianborg Castle was built by the Danes in the year 1660. It was a residence of the Gold Coast Governor, immediately after independence it became the Residence for the president of Ghana before it was moved to Jubilee House on March 6th, 2009.

The Cape Coast castle was also built by the Portuguese in the year 1659 and it was originally a trading Centre and a Slave center. It is located in Cape coast in the Central Region of Ghana.

List of Forts and Castles in Ghana with their respective locations 

Fort Apollonia at Beyin

Fort St. Anthony at Axim

Fort Gross Friedricksburg at Princestown

Fort Dorothea at Akwida

Fort Metal Cross at Dixcove

Fort Batenstein at Butre

Fort Orange at Sekondi

Fort St. Sebastian at Shama

Fort Vendenburg,  Komenda

Castle of St. George’s, Elmina

Fort St. Jago at Elmina

Cape Coast Castle

Fort Victoria at Cape Coast

Fort Royal at Cape Coast

Fort William at Cape Coast

Fort McCarthy at Cape Coast

Fort Fredericksburg at Amanful

Fort Nassau at Mouri

Fort William at Anomabu

The Little Fort at Anomabu

Fort Amsterdam at Abandzi

The Fort at Tantumquery

Fort Patience at Apam

Fort Good Hope at Senya Beraku

James Fort at Jamestown, Accra

Ussher Fort, Ussher Town, Accra

Christiansborg Castle at Osu, Accra

Fort Augustaborg at Teshie

Fort Vernon, Prampram

Fort Fredensborg at Old Ningo

Fort Prinzensten at Keta

Portugal, Spain, Denmark, Sweden, Holland, Germany and Britain are the countries that built these castles and Forts for their religious and commercial purposes.