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Forts and Castles by region - Central Region

No1

Elmina Castle (St. Georgeโ€™s Castle) โ€“ Elmina
The oldest European structure in sub-Saharan Africa, built by the Portuguese in 1482. Major site in the trans-Atlantic slave trade.

No2

Cape Coast Castle โ€“ Cape Coast
A large British fort used for slave trading and colonial administration. Now a major museum and historical site.

No3

Fort William โ€“ Cape Coast 
A hilltop fort that provided defense and lookout; served as a lighthouse in later years.

No4

Fort Victoria โ€“ Cape Coast
A smaller watchtower and defensive post built by the British to protect Cape Coast Castle.

No5

Fort McCarthy โ€“ Cape Coast
A British military post that supported defense in the Cape Coast area. (No traces left)

No6

Fort Amsterdam โ€“ Abandze (near Kormantin)
Originally built by the Dutch, later taken by the British. Active in slave trade operations.

No7

Fort Patience (Fort Lijdzaamheid) โ€“ Apam
Built by the Dutch, known for its strong walls and commanding view over Apam harbor.

No8

Fort Good Hope (Goede Hoop) โ€“ Senya Beraku
Dutch fort constructed to control trade routes and local trade networks.

No9

Fort Nassau โ€“ Moree
One of the earliest Dutch forts on the coast; part of early trading systems.

No10

Fort William (Anomabu) โ€“ Anomabu
Different from the Cape Coast fort; part of British fortifications in Anomabu.

No11

British Fort Komenda โ€“ Komenda
Built by the British during their rivalry with the Dutch. Used in slave and gold trade. (Also incl. Dutch Fort)

No12

Dutch Fort Vredenburgh (Komenda) โ€“ Komenda
Built by the Dutch on the opposite bank of the river from the British fort. The two forts often exchanged fire.

No12

Dutch Fort Conraadsburg (Elmina) โ€“ Upper Fort St Jago
Built by the Dutch on the opposite side of Elmina Castle on a hill top. This fort was build purposely, to protect Elmina Castle.

Forts and Castles by region - Western Region

No1

Fort Metal Cross โ€“ Dixcove
British fort used for gold and slave trade. Strategically built to dominate the coastline.

No2

Fort Batenstein โ€“ Butre
Dutch fort built on a hill in 1656. Overlooks the village of Butre with panoramic views.

No3

Fort Orange โ€“ Sekondi
Dutch, later British. Served as a trading post and later as prison and lighthouse.

No4

Fort San Sebastian โ€“ Shama
Built by the Portuguese, later taken by the Dutch and British. Played a role in the trans-Atlantic slave trade.

No5

Fort St. Anthony (Santo Antonio) โ€“ Axim
One of the earliest forts, built by the Portuguese and later occupied by the Dutch.

No6

Fort Apollonia โ€“ Beyin
British fort on the far west of Ghanaโ€™s coast. Supported trade and protected colonial interests.

No7

Fort Gross Friedrichsburg โ€“ Princes Town
Built by the Brandenburg-Prussians in the 17th century. Unusual among Ghanaian forts for its German origin.

No8

Fort Dorothea โ€“ Akwidaa
A small Prussian fort that supported Fort Friedrichsburg across the coast.

Forts and Castles by region
- Greater Accra Region, Volta & Ashanti regions

No1

Christiansborg Castle (Osu Castle) โ€“ Osu, Accra
Danish-built, later British. Used as Ghanaโ€™s seat of government for much of its history. Now a museum.

No2

Ussher Fort (Fort Crรจvecล“ur) โ€“ Ussher Town, Accra
Built by the Dutch. Later used as a prison and now a heritage and human rights museum.

No3

James Fort โ€“ Jamestown, Accra
British fort from the 17th century. Served as a trading post and later a colonial prison.

No4

Fort Augustaborg โ€“ Teshie
Danish fort built in the 18th century. Now in ruins, and hardly to locate. Use locals to guide you. Near an old chief palace.

No5

Fort Fredensborg โ€“ Old Ningo
Danish fort used in trade. Abandoned in the late 19th century. Traces to find.

No6

Fort Vernon โ€“ Prampram
A lesser-known British fort, used for coastal defense and trade regulation. Near Dutch build 1814 Police Station

Volta Region

Fort Prinzenstein โ€“ Keta
Danish-built fort later overtaken by the British. Much of it has been eroded by the sea. So far, there are plans to restore.

Ashanti Region

Kumasi Fort and Military Museum โ€“ Kumasi
Originally built by the Asantehene in 1820, destroyed during the Anglo-Asante war, and rebuilt by the British in 1897. Now a military museum with historical exhibits.

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