Cape Coast, Ghana

Cape Coast is the capital of Cape Coast metropolitan district and Central Region of south Ghana and is a town which mean the job is fishing so is also known as a fishing port. You can locate cape coast on the southern part of the Gulf of Guinea consistent with the 2010 census, Cape Coast had a settlement population of 169,894 people. People in Cape Coast speaks Fant as their major language

Read also: capital of ghana

The older traditional names of the town are Oguaa and Kotokuraba (meaning “River of Crabs” or “Village of Crabs”). The Portuguese who navigate to Oguaa in 1471 are Joao de Santarem and Pedro Escoba sailed to a place which is Cabo Corso (which translated to be Short Cape) from which the name Cape Coast were derived.

Cape Coast town and the fishing port keeps on changing hands between the British, the Portuguese, the Swedish, the Danish and the Dutch as well since the 16th century on Ghanaian independence till date. it’s home to 32 festivals.

History

Cape Coast was founded by the people of Oguaa and therefore the region ruled over by the paramount chief, or Omanhene, is understood today as Oguaa Traditional Area. Cape Coast is one of the foremost historical cities in Ghana. Portuguese colonists built a trading fort within the area.

In 1650, the Swedes built a lodge that might later become the higher known Cape Coast Castle, which is now a World Heritage Site. Most of the fashionable town expanded around it. In 1650 the Dutch took over and enlarged it to 1652 it had been then captured by British in 1664.

The city or town of Cape Coast was mostly motivated by the important trade among the creation of fortresses and settlement. Traders from various European countries built these trading lodges, forts and castles along the coast of recent Ghana.

Sadly the important acquisition of things like Gold, Slaves, honey and other goods that make of the African stand of the triangular trade was going up tending to cause harm to those in Cape Coast

In 1874, British dominated all European presence along the coast of modern-day Ghana using Cape Coast as their base of operations, Gold Coast. Because of the building of formal colonial administration, the European were relocated to Accra following opposition to the “window tax” in 1877. Accra became their state. Cape Coast Castle was also where most of the slaves were held before their journey on the centre Passage.

Geography Topography

The area is dominated by batholith rock and is usually undulating with steep slopes. There are valleys of varied streams between the hills, with Kakum being the most important stream.

The minor streams end in wetlands, the most important of which drains into the Fosu Lagoon at Nakano. within the northern a part of the district, however, the landscape is suitable for the cultivation of varied crops.

Climate

Cape Coast features a dry-summer tropical savanna climate (Köppen climate classification: As).

Monthly ration varying from 85% and 99% humility are said to be the climate in Cape Coast the ocean breeze features a moderating effect on the local climate.[6]

Attractions

The crab (Cape Coast) is that the city’s mascot and a statue of 1 stand within the city centre. Fort William, inbuilt 1820, was a lively lighthouse from 1835 to the 1970s, while Fort Victoria was inbuilt 1702.

cape coast can also boost of some of the a

The main market of Cape Coast is named Kotokuraba Market.

Other tourist attractions include a series of:

1. Asafo shrines
2. Cape Coast Centre for National Culture
3. the Oguaa Fetu Afahye festival (held on the primary Saturday of September), and
4. since 1992, the biennial Panafest theatre festival.
5. the town is found 30 km south of Kakum park, one among the foremost diverse and best preserved national parks in West Africa.

Michelle Obama, formal US first Lady who visited Ghana on July 11, 2009, came to Cape Coast and which a view of making or considering Cape Coast as her ancestral home tour Cape Coast Castle as a part of her husband’s trip to Cape Coast.

Education

Cape Coast is that the seat of the University of Cape Coast (UCC), Ghana’s leading university in teaching and research. Cape Vars, because it is popularly called, lies on a hill overlooking the Atlantic.

It also has one among the simplest Polytechnics in Cape Coast Polytechnic (C-POLY). Other institutions of upper education within the city deserve notes are Mfantsiman Institute of Technology (MIT) and the Institute of Development and Technology Management (IDTM). the town also boasts a number of Ghana’s finest secondary and technical schools and two tertiary or universities:

1. Wesley Girls’ highschool
2. Augustine College
3. Mfantsipim School
4. Adisadel College
5. Aggrey Memorial senior high school School
6. Ghana National College
7. Holy Child highschool, Ghana
8. Edinaman senior high school School
9. Cape Coast Technical Institute
10. Asian Technical Institute
11. Academy of Christ the King senior high school School
12. Cape Coast International senior high school School
13. University Practice senior high school School
14. Nicholas Seminary senior high school School
15. Efutu senior high school tech
16. Sammo senior high school School
17. Commercial Service Institute (CSI)
18. Oguaa senior high school tech

tertiary or universities in Cape Coast:

1. Cape Coast University (UCC) and
   1. Cape Coast Technical University (CCTU)

Notable people

1. Philip Quaque: 1741–1816; first ordained African clergy of the Church of England.
2. King John Aggery Essien: 1809–1899; King of Cape Coast, pioneer Pan-Africanist.
3. James Robert Thompson: 1810–1886; pioneering educationist.
4. Francis Chapman Grant: 1823–1889; founding member of the Fanti Confederation; cousin of Grant.
5. Robert Hutchison: 1828–1863; statesman, soldier, philanthropist.
6. Jacob Wilson Sey, alias Kwaa Bonyi: 1832–1902; millionaire, philanthropist, a founding member of the Aborigines’ Rights Protection Society.
7. John Sarbah: 1834–1892; educationist, merchant, industrialist.
8. James Cheetham: 1834–1902; merchant, member of the legislature of the Gold Coast.
9. Herbert Taylor Ussher: 1836–1880; early administrator
10. Andrew William Parker: 1840–1912; conscientious nationalist, fought within the Ashanti expedition.
11. Joseph Peter Brown: 1843–1932; patriot, statesman.
12. Prince Hutton Brew: 1844–1915; solicitor.
13. Thomas Frederic Edward Jones: 1850–1927; petitioned Victoria about Lands Bill.
14. Henry van Hien: 1858–1928; President of the Aboriginal Rights Protection Society.
15. Mark Christian Hayford: 1863–1935; author, founding father of Gold Coast Baptist Church and therefore the Christian Army of the Gold Coast
16. Samuel Richard Brew Attoh-Ahuma: 1863–1921; clergyman, nationalist, pioneering Pan-Africanist.
17. John Mensah-Sarbah: 1864–1910; barrister, the author, published Fanti Customary Laws.
18. E. Casely Hayford: 1866–1930; author, lawyer, politician and educator.
19. George Edward Moore: 1879–1950; recipient of the Ashanti Medal, executive member of the Aborigines’ Rights Protection Society.
20. Charles Emmanuel Graves: 1884–1929; musicologist, composer.
21. John Coleman de-Graft Johnson: 1884–1956; secretary of Native Affairs, anthropologist.
22. Prophet Jemisimiham Jehu-Appiah: 1892–1948; founding father of Musama Disco Christo Church in Africa.
23. William Neuman Gwira Kobina Sekyi: 1892–1956; lawyer, politician, author.
24. James Henley Coussey, KBE: 1895–1958; supreme court judge, chairman of the County Commission, president of the West Africa Court of Appeal.
25. Kofi Bentsi-Enchill: 1895–1948; textiles tycoon, philanthropist.
26. Henry Mercer-Ricketts: 1895–1980; pioneering physician.
27. Samuel George Duker: 1905–1994; LRCP Edin, LRCS Edin, LRFPS Glasg; pioneering physician
28. Ambrose Thompson Cooke: 1930–; Millionaire, Industrialist, textiles CEO and entrepreneur. Who is an old student at London School of Economics and St Augustine’s College Cape Coast
29. Margaret Busby, OBE, also titled Nana Akua Ackon I: 1944–; Ghanaian-born publisher, editor, writer and broadcaster, resident within the UK. Enstoolment in 1999.
30. Peter Turkson: 1948–; Cardinal-Archbishop of Cape Coast.
31. Nana Amba Eyiaba I: 1950–; queen dowager of Effutu 16 of the Effutu Municipal District, educator and advocate for political rights of queen mothers
32. Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-Arthur:1951– 2018; former Vice-President of the Republic of Ghana.

Foods

The Fante (cape coast) people of Ghana are notable for his or her way of cooking. they’re known for eating rich cuisine, mostly with more fish, meat, or any sort of protein than necessary.

it’s believed that this is often due to the number of rivers and lakes situated within the town. Cape Coast people are known for his or her expert fishing and fish preservation abilities. a number of the cuisines are fante fante, stew and Poivrade or okro stew, Fante kenkey, which may be eaten with soups, stews or shito.

ok. let pause and answer some questions

Questions from readers

What is Cape coast famous for?

Cape Coast is one of the foremost historical cities in Ghana. Portuguese colonists built a trading fort within the area. In 1650, the Swedes built a lodge that might later become the higher known Cape Coast Castle, which is now a World Heritage Site. Most of the fashionable town expanded around it.

Who founded Cape Coast?

In the 15th century, the Portuguese established a post on the location, and within the 16th century, British arrived. The town, which is one among the country’s oldest, grew up around Cape Coast Castle, built by the Swedish in 1655 and brought over by British in 1663.

Is Cape Coast Ghana safe?

For the foremost part, Ghana may be a safe country for ladies travellers. However opportunistic thieves may target lone women travellers so keep your belongings secure and remember of our surroundings.

How far is Cape Coast from Accra?

127 kilometres
Distance between Accra and Cape Coast is 127 kilometres (79 miles). Driving distance from Accra to Cape Coast is 147 kilometres (91 miles).

What happened at Cape Coast Castle?

The fort in cape coast was the place where fifty-four men who work in a ship that pirate Roberts was condemned to death, at that fifty-two of the crew were hanged to death and the rest of the two reprieved in 1722.

during 1757, in the  seven years war, a man from French was badly destroyed and almost captured Cape Coast castle

Which country built the Cape Coast Castle?

Sweden
Originally built by Sweden within the 1650s, Cape Coast Castle shifted into Danish, Dutch, then English possession by the 1660s.

Who is that the chief of Cape Coast?

Osabrima Kwesi Atta II
Osabrima Kwesi Atta II is still the paramount chief of Cape Coast.

Is Cape Coast Castle an equivalent as Elmina Castle?

Built-in 1482 by Portuguese traders, Elmina [formerly Saint Georges] Castle was the primary European slave-trading post altogether of Sub-Saharan Africa . … Elmina and its sibling, the cape coast castle has almost everything, from their designs, structure, history and reason in common.

Back to reading

Hotels in Cape Coast

1. Hotel Loreto
2. Oasis Beach Resort
3. Ridge Royal Hotel
4. Moree Paradise Ocean Resort
5. Summer Palace Guest House
6. Eden Lodge
7. Hans Cottage Botel
8. Marrets International Hotel
9. Kokodo Guest House
10. Rainforest Lodge
11. Vec Hotel
12. Oguaa Apartments & Lodging
13. Is Guest House
14. X-Class Guesthouse
15. Marnico Guesthouse
16. Orange Beach Resort
17. Rans Hill Lodge
18. balance sheet hotel
19. Hotel Francili
20. Natural Bamboo Village

Tourist Sites in Cape Coast, Central Region, Ghana

As Ghana continues to develop it’s tourism potentials throughout the country, encouraging more locals to seem inward and see more parts of the Country aside from where they grew up or sleep in, also as opening the doors for international tourists, we glance to spotlight a number of the important places that are absolutely worth a visit The central Region of Ghanas Capital, cape coast

KAKUM park

The Kakum park is definitely the foremost popular park in Ghana with its evergreen rain forest, the park located about 30km north of Cape Coast is endowed with different and rare species of wildlife including 40 species of mammals, over 500 species of butterflies and a good array of birds. a number of the species include the endangered monameekat, civet cats, yellow-backed duiker, Red hog, pygmy elephants, buffalo, leopard, bongo, bee-eater and hornbills.

Kakum park features a series of hanging bridges at the forest canopy level referred to as the “Canopy Walkway”, a serious feature of the Kakum park which brings many people for the optics and Instagram picture to be taken on them. the cover Walkway at about 30m tall, allows visitors to look at species of plants and animals from a viewpoint.

CAPE COAST CASTLE

Designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, the Cape Coast Castle is described together of the six most beautiful alive with a really rich history. Built originally in 1653 by the Swedes and intended for commercial trading between the locals and therefore the Europeans, the Cape Coast Castle has been at various times controlled by British, the Dutch, the Danes and therefore the French.

Now a historic monument the castle played an integral role during the Trans-Atlantic slave traffic during which many slaves were shipped to America.

ELMINA CASTLE

Another World Heritage Site in Ghana, the Elmina Castle is found at Elmina, which is simply 10km west of Cape Coast. Elmina happens to be the primary point of contact between the Europeans and therefore the inhabitants of Ghana.

Built by the Portuguese and referred to as Sao Jorge da Mina in 1482 the castle became the earliest known European structure within the tropics. As trade grew within the region, it attracted other Europeans and a struggle for control ensued. The Dutch eventually captured the castle and remained in its control for subsequent 235 years.

BRENU AKYINIM BEACH

Brenu Akyinim Beach is between the villages of Ankwanda and Brenu Akyinim. It’s a 3-kilometre fabulous stretch of pristine palm-fringed, sandy beach where the water is clean providing a perfect site for swimming, surfing, skiing and bathing. It provides a superb site for picnic and beach sports (i.e. football and volleyball). there’s also a peaceful lagoon nearby, a winter home of many migratory birds.

ASSIN MANSO HERITAGE SITE

Assin Manso Heritage Site is found about 40km north of Cape Coast. Assin Manso is renowned for the inhuman activity administered to people during the Trans-Atlantic slave traffic era.

Slaves brought from the inside parts of the country were rested, bathed, sorted out and resold, before transported via the Cape Coast and Elmina Castles to waiting for ships bound for America. The Slave River or “Nnonkonsuo” happens to be the main feature of the Assin Manso marketplace Site.

While at this Site, visitors can visit the tombs of two slaves, Samuel Carson and Crystal whose skeletal remains were returned from us of America and Jamaica respectively in 1998 for re-internment in Ghana.

Other landmarks include a Prayer Hall and grassy Meditation lawn. the slave river is covered by a tall bamboo tree at the banks where it serves as a resting place for visitors.

KOMENDA CAVE

Komenda Cave is found on the ocean shore, west of Komenda town. The Cave dominates a series of natural erosional features worn into the sandstone along the shore by the sea.

Accessibility is formed easily by stairs resulting in the beach from the Komenda College grounds. The Cave is formed from a comparatively narrow tunnel, open at both ends with a floor area of roughly 200sqm.

The passage is narrowed by rock debris and therefore the low ceiling, limits the usage of the ground space.

The interior opening at the rear (eastern end) of the cave is made by the collapse of some of the Cave’s roof. the location provides a number of the earliest evidence for human habitation in coastal Ghana consistent with archaeologists.