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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.

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. - See British Fort Komenda website.

No13

Dutch Fort Conraadsburg (Elmina) โ€“ Top Hill Fort St Jago.
Built by the Dutch on the opposite top hill, overlooking  Elmina Castle. The fort was purposely  build 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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