Discover 15 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Ghana. Don't miss out on these must-see attractions: Elmina Castle (Elmina), Makola Market (Accra) or Cape Coast Castle (Cape Coast).
Below, you can find the list of the most amazing places you should visit in Ghana.
Table of Contents
Elmina Castle, Elmina
Landmark slave trading post and museum. Elmina Castle was erected by the Portuguese in 1482 as Castelo de São Jorge da Mina, also known as Castelo da Mina or simply Mina, in present-day Elmina, Ghana. It was the first trading post built on the Gulf of Guinea, and the oldest European building in existence south of the Sahara. First established as a trade settlement, the castle later became one of the most important stops on the route of the Atlantic slave trade. The Dutch seized the fort from the Portuguese in 1637, after an unsuccessful attempt in 1596, and took over all of the Portuguese Gold Coast in 1642. The slave trade continued under the Dutch until 1814. In 1872, the Dutch Gold Coast, including the fort, became a possession of Great Britain.
The Gold Coast, which is now Ghana, gained its independence in 1957 from Britain, and had control of the castle. Elmina Castle is a historical site, and was a major filming location for Werner Herzog's 1987 drama film Cobra Verde. The castle is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. It is also a major tourists attraction in the central region of Ghana.[1]
Address: Liverpool Rd, Elmina
Makola Market, Accra
Wholesale jeweler in Accra, Ghana. Makola Market is a renowned market place and shopping district in the centre of the city of Accra, the capital of Ghana. A wide array of products is sold in the markets and its surrounding streets, from car parts to land snails. Dominated by women traders, the market sells fresh produce, manufactured and imported foods, clothes, shoes, tools, medicines, and pots and pans. Jewellery made from locally handcrafted beads can also be found for sale in the market. About 25% of the 70% market women are employed in Makola market.[2]
Cape Coast Castle, Cape Coast
Museum of the trans-Atlantic slave trade. Cape Coast Castle is one of about forty "slave castles", or large commercial forts, built on the Gold Coast of West Africa by European traders. It was originally a Portuguese "feitoria" or trading post, established in 1555, which they named Cabo Corso. However, in 1653 the Swedish Africa Company constructed a timber fort there. It originally was a centre for the trade in timber and gold. It was later used in the trans-Atlantic slave trade. Other Ghanaian slave castles include Elmina Castle and Fort Christiansborg. They were used to hold slaves before they were loaded onto ships and sold in the Americas, especially the Caribbean. This "gate of no return" was the last stop before crossing the Atlantic Ocean.[3]
Black Star Gate, Accra
The Black Star Gate is part of the Independence Square now known as the Black Star Square in Accra. It is located at the center of the Square where parades are held. The Black Star Gate is a monument topped by the Black Star of Africa. The five-pointed star represents Africa in general and particularly Ghana itself. It has the inscription “AD 1957” and “Freedom and Justice”. The Black Star Gate was commissioned by Kwame Nkrumah to indicate the country's supreme power to control its own affairs.[4]
Museum of Science and Technology, Accra
Museum. The Museum of Science and Technology in Accra, Ghana was established in 1963 and first opened its doors in 1965. The museum is under the administration of the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board and the National Commission on Culture.[5]
Address: Barnes Rd, Accra
Fort Coenraadsburg, Elmina
Event venue in Elmina, Ghana. Fort Coenraadsburg or Conraadsburg, also Fort São Tiago da Mina, is a small Portuguese chapel built in honor of Saint Jago and it is situated opposite the Elmina Castle in the Central region of Ghana, to protect Fort Elmina from attacks.[6]
Dutch Cemetery, Elmina
Cemetery. The Dutch Cemetery of Elmina was constructed on the order of Governor of the Dutch Gold Coast Johannes Petrus Hoogenboom in 1806. Up until that date, the Dutch had buried their dead inside or just outside Elmina Castle, but by the beginning of the 19th century, little space was left there, so it was decided to construct a new cemetery in what was known as "the Garden" of Elmina. Ironically, Governor Hoogenboom was also one of the first people to be interred in the cemetery, after he was murdered by local Elminese people with whom he had a disagreement.[7]
Fort Victoria, Cape Coast
Fort Victoria is a structure in Cape Coast, Ghana. It was initially known as Phipps Tower, its name being later changed to Fort Victoria in honor of Queen Victoria.[8]
St Peter's Cathedral Basilica, Kumasi
Cathedral in Kumasi, Ghana. The St. Peter's Cathedral Basilica is a Roman Catholic cathedral and basilica dedicated to Saint Peter located in Kumasi, Ghana. The church is the seat of the Archdiocese of Kumasi. The church was dedicated on 2 June 2004.[9]
Address: Roman Hill, Kumasi, Kumasi
Asafo market, Kumasi
Asafo Market is a trading centre in Asafo, Kumasi, the capital of Ashanti, Ghana, to the western side of the Asafo interchange. Asafo Market was formerly called Nkrumah Market, which was named after the first Prime Minister of Ghana, Kwame Nkrumah, but the name was changed to Asafo Market when Nkrumah was overthrown.[10]
Manhyia Palace, Kumasi
Museum in Kumasi, Ghana. The Manhyia Palace is the seat of the Asantehene of Asanteman, as well as his official residence. It is located at Kumasi, the capital of the Ashanti Kingdom and Ashanti Region. The first palace is now a museum. Otumfuor Opoku Ware II built the new palace, which is close to the old one and is used by the current Asantehene, Otumfuor Osei Tutu II.[11]
Boti falls, Koforidua
Tourist attraction in Boti, Ghana. Boti falls is a twin waterfall located at Boti in Yilo Krobo District in the Eastern Region of Ghana. These twin falls are referred to as female and male.[12]
Cape Coast Castle Museum, Cape Coast
Museum. The Cape Coast Castle Museum is an ethnography and archeological museum located in Cape Coast, Ghana. It was established in 1974.[13]
Koforidua Polytechnic, Koforidua
Technical university in Koforidua, Ghana. Koforidua Technical University is one of the ten Technical Universities established in every region in Ghana. It was founded in 1997. Since 1999 it has produced graduates with HND in accountancy, marketing, purchasing and supply, statistics and computer science.[14]
All Nations University, Koforidua
University in Koforidua, Ghana. All Nations University was founded by Rev. Dr. Samuel Donkor in Ghana. It began with 37 students in October 2002 and has now expanded to over 2000 students. It became an accredited university college in Ghana in October 2002. The university is affiliated to Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and in collaboration with SRM Institute of Science and Technology. On May 28, 2020, All Nations was granted a presidential charter by the President of Ghana.
All Nations University is located in Koforidua in the Eastern Region of Ghana.[15]