If you are a Ghanaian resident or a foreign tourist seeking places to explore in Ghana, then you must consider some mind-boggling historical sites in Ghana.
You must certainly ensure that you have a lot of time to spend because there are so many of them. Ghana is known both far and near for its hospitable and welcoming atmosphere, as well as it is known for its picturesque coastline, diverse animal life, thick evergreen forests, and extensive, rich history.
Most interestingly, the cultural heritage of historical sites in Ghana has been well-preserved, so it is easy for both local residents and Ghanaians in the diaspora to learn and know their ancestral roots and history.
What are the top historical sites in Ghana?
You must fully take note that that are several rich historical sites in Ghana that you can visit; however most ranked and visited of them shall all be given below. These historical sites are
- KWAME NKRUMAH MEMORIAL PARK
- THE JENINI SLAVE CAMP
- KOMFO ANOKYE SWORD SITE
- ASSIN MANSO SLAVE RIVER SITE
- GWOLLU DEFENCE WALL
- NTONSO ADINKRA CLOTH VILLAGE
- PIKWORO SLAVE CAMP
- LAKE BOSOMTWE
- FORT GOOD HOPE
KWAME NKRUMAH MEMORIAL PARK
The Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park (KNMP) is located in downtown Accra, which is the capital of Ghana. It is dedicated to the prominent Ghanaian leader, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. Dr.Kwame Nkrumah is Ghana’s first president.
The memorial complex was dedicated in 1992 and is situated on the site of the former British colonial polo grounds, where the independence of Ghana was declared, in Accra. The memorial park contains
- A Statue: This is a bronze statue of Nkrumah which is clad in cloth with his hand symbolically pointing forward. It stands at the same place that Nkrumah stood to declare Ghana’s Independence from British colonial rule on March 6, 1957.
- Mausoleum
The mausoleum was designed by Don Arthur and houses the mortal remains of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and his wife Fathia Nkrumah. It is meant to represent an upside-down sword which in the Akan culture is a symbol of peace. - Museum
The Museum houses the personal effects and publications of Nkrumah and pictures showing his life history. Some of these pictures of Dr. Nkrumah with some of the most famous people of his time is an eye opener. - Gardens
Around the park are trees planted by different world leaders. Visitors enjoy the beautiful views of the garden. Aside from the beautiful greens, flowers, and trees, there are water fountains, traditional sculptures (flute players), and more.
THE JENINI SLAVE CAMP
Jenini was a slave camp in Ghana during Samory Toure’s reign c. 1870 – 1895 AD. Archaeological excavations at Jenini began in the early days of July 2004, with a goal to better understand the lives of the then-enslaved occupants at the Slave Camp.
Jenini remains a commemorative center of Africa’s involvement in the trans-Atlantic slave trade. Jenin camp borders the Jenin municipality and is the northernmost camp in the West Bank.
KOMFO ANOKYE SWORD SITE
The Komfo Anokye sword site is ranked amongst the top historical sites in Ghana and can be found on the grounds of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi, a referral and training hospital.
The site serves as a historical monument of Okomfo Anokye, who was the first priest of the Ashanti Empire and a great pioneer in the expansion of the Ashanti Kingdom.
ASSIN MANSO SLAVE RIVER SITE
Assin Manso is an ancient town situated in the Central Region of Ghana, located along the Cape Coast – Kumasi highway. Assin Manso Ancestral Slave River Park was one of the largest slave markets for gathering people to sell into slavery during the infamous trans-Atlantic slave trade that swept over Saharan Africa.
It is amongst the major historical sites in Ghana as people troop there yearly to remember the link between the slavery route from northern Ghana. It is also known to have been the largest slave market for merchants supplying slaves on the forts and castles on the coast.
GWOLLU DEFENCE WALL
Gwollu Defence Wall is a historical monument in Ghana’s town of Gwollu and it serves as a reminder of the dark history and dangers of the slave trade in the remote northern “hinterlands.”
It is one of the two remaining historical defense walls of a kind along the Ghana-Burkina Faso border. When visiting, one must first greet the chief and request permission for a tour.
If you’re lucky, you can have a chat with the very amicable chief and learn a bit about the history and the community. A small donation is requested for the upkeep of the structure, and a libation offering may be suggested.
NTONSO ADINKRA CLOTH VILLAGE
Ntonso Adinkra Village is a tourist attraction in Kumasi. It is rated among the top historical sites in Ghana and operates on the following schedules
- Mon: 6:30 am – 6:30 pm
- Tue: 6:30 am – 6:30 pm
- Wed: 6:30 am – 6:30 pm
- Thu: 6:30 am – 6:30 pm
- Fri: 6:30 am – 6:30 pm
- Sat: 6:30 am – 6:30 pm
- Sun: 6:30 am – 6:30 pm
Ntonso Adinkra Craft Village is a small village in the Kwabre East Municipality just a few kilometers from Kumasi, the regional capital. Adinkra symbols, Ghana’s most symbolic artworks that carry messages full of wisdom, are said to be found in the lowly old town.
Ntonso is the home to the famous adinkra cloth and is the only place in Ghana where traditional adinkra is made locally from the beginning to the end. Adinkra is a famous cloth whose characteristic features include symbols and proverbial sayings of the Akan.
PIKWORO SLAVE CAMP
You can not talk about rated and oldest historic sites in Ghana and not talk of Paga Nania which is also known as the Pikworo Slave Camp. Pikworo slave camp was founded in 1704 and remained in operation until its operations were halted in 1845.
It is located about 3km west of Paga in the Upper East Region of Ghana. The Pikworo slave camp was established to serve as a major slave transit center where enslaved people were auctioned to be resold in the Salaga Slave market.
LAKE BOSOMTWE
Lake Bosomtwi holds it rank amongst reputable historic sites in Ghana as the only natural lake in Ghana and it is found within a pronounced ancient crater. It is recorded to extend over a landscape of about 10.5 kilometers, and its location is 30 km southeast of Kumasi.
Lake Bosomtwe is a popular recreational area for both residents of Ghana as well as tourists. The lake is encompassed by local residencies and communities. Lake Bosomtwe is viewed as sacred as a sacrilege where souls of the dead bid farewell to the goddess Asase Ya.
FORT GOOD HOPE
Fort Good Hope is intentionally built on a promontory near a cove, looking out on a tranquil beach lined with coconut palms in the town of Senya Beraku in the Central Region.
The Fort was erected in 1715 by the Dutch, who were looking to tap into the gold, ivory, and slave trade in the hinterland kingdom of Akyem.
These top historical sites in Ghana are home to rich Ghanaian heritage and unwritten histories.
