First published: 01/05/05.

Anonymous

Forts And Castles Gold Coast

Forts and Castles Gold Coast (Inscribed)

Forts and Castles Gold Coast by Els Slots

I was posted at Accra in 1946-47 at the American Consulate, and took the occasion to visit as many as I could of the old trading forts built by European companies along the coast of the then British colony of the Gold Coast. This was long before the World Heritage program started, but fortunately, the colonial administration had taken steps to preserve most of the old forts. One served as the Residence of the Governor of Cold Coast Colony, at least one was in use as a prison, some were kept as museums, and many were preserved as temporary residences for travelling colonial officials. No fees were charged for admission, but access was of course controlled. I took photographs of most of the moe notable sites I visited, but have not been back since I left the Gold Coast in December,1947. It is good that the Government of independent Ghana has involved UNESCO in calling attention to these historic buildings, built by companies from various countries and in cases just outside of cannon shot range from a fort of another country.

Comments

No comments yet.

Log in to post a comment