The Ussher Fort and Museum- All You Need to Know.

The Ussher Fort and Museum- All You Need to Know.

Forts and Castles were infamous sites in Ghana during the slave trade era. Ghana can boast of 3 Castles and 29 Forts. Forts and Castle served as transitional places for slaves and residences for colonial masters and their families. These were built by European traders from Portugal, Spain, Germany, Sweden, Holland, Denmark and Britain. It can be said that all 32 Forts and Castles can be found along the coastal shores of Ghana. The initial intent for these buildings was to serve as trading points or ports for goods. However, trade in humans came into being, which gave birth to the dark slave trade era.

Ussher Fort History.

The Ussher Fort is one of the four Forts in the Greater Accra Region. Fort James at Jamestown, Fort Augustaborg at Teshie, Fort Vernon at Prampram and Fort Fredensborg at Old Ningo. Located in the heart of Jamestown -Accra, the Ussher Fort and Museum offers a unique opportunity to learn about Ghana’s rich history. Ussher Fort was built in 1649 by the Dutch.

Ussher Fort Name Change .

The original name of the fort was Fort Crevecoeur and was late renamed after Herbert Taylor Ussher, the then-British administrator of Gold Coast in the 1800s. Located on the high stress of Accra, the fort served as a prison until the year 1993. It houses a museum and during the Homowo festival celebration in August parts of the walls become a canvas for local and foreign street artists. Ussher Fort and Museum

The Ussher Fort and Museum march from Elmina and to the East of Accra on a rocky point between two lagoons. The Fort is one of 3 built by the Europeans during the middle of the 17th Century and was part of the Dutch Gold Coast. The Fort was rebuilt a few times, the first rebuild was as a result of an earthquake. It was after the reconstruction that it was named after the then British Administrator.

What It Was Used For.

The fort served as a prison until 1993. Dr Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first president was imprisoned there during colonial rule. The Fort was primarily built as a trading post, a slave dungeon, a police post, prison. It also served as a military detention, court Marshall and refugee camp. It also served as the first prison centre for the Ghana National Police Service.

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Tour of Ussher Fort.

The tour began at the Museum, where the tour guide took us through the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade history and how the slave trade was later abolished. At the Museum, we saw replicas of the chains used on the slaves and the whips also. I had goosebumps on my skin as she narrated the harsh conditions our ancestors were in. On displace were images of the ship that capsized as slaves were being transported to Europe to work on various plantations. At the Museum, you have a panoramic view of the Atlantic ocean and a view of fishermen mending their nets or boats after their catch. That view was the highlight of the tour.

Our guide took us to through the VIP cells where some prominent people were imprisoned at. Next was the brick chapel at the center of the Fort. The guide was accommodating, we kept pausing during our tour of the Ussher Fort and Museum to take pictures and video’s as the tour went on.

Location of Ussher Fort &Tour Fee

It is a few minutes walk from the iconic Jamestown Lighthouse, Fort James and the Bukom boxing arena. The Tour fee is 10 cedis per Ghanaian adult and 50 cedis for a non- Ghanaian Adult.

Hotels Around Ussher Fort.

Monuments & Tourist Attractions Around

You can embark on a walking tour to other tourist attractions around the Ussher Fort. You can walk to the Jamestown Lighthouse, Independence Square, Accra Art Market, Independence Beach and the Osu Castle.

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Stroll through The Ussher Fort and Museum and observe artefacts from colonial rule. Enjoy interactive talks with guides to delve deeper into topics like the slave trade and national resistance against oppressive rule. Explore the vibrant craft shops located within the neighborhood displaying intricately crafted wooden masks, jewelry made from locally sourced materials, textile arts and much more – each item telling its own story of culture

I recommend they put up a seating area for patrons who would love to rest after their tour. Also, they should have recite books like other Forts and Castles have. Over all, the tour of the Ussher Fort and Museum was enjoyable and i encourage you to visit soon!!!.