Sankofa Series: Striking details of the first British fort in Africa, built in 1641

At Abandze, in the Central Region of Ghana, lies the historic Fort Amsterdam, which was built by the British in 1641. The fort holds a unique place in African history as the first British fort to be built on the continent.

The history of Fort Amsterdam serves as a reminder of the difficulties of African-European interactions during the colonial era, largely being slavery.

As Ghana continues to preserve its rich culture, Fort Amsterdam stands as proof of the nation’s attractive history.

According to Joseph Kofi Kakraba, Caretaker and Tour Guide at the fort, contrary to the popular belief, Fort Amsterdam was not built for the Transatlantic Slave Trade, but rather as a trading post for gold and merchant.

This was disclosed in an interview with GhanaWeb’s Etsey Atisu.

According to Kakraba, Fort Amsterdam was designed to facilitate trade between European merchants and African kingdoms.

He indicated that Fort Amsterdam, as proof of the above, does not have the usual ‘Door of No Return,’ a feature commonly associated with slave forts.

"...," he said.

He added that the fort does not have a dungeon, which enforces its role as a trading post rather than a slave depot.

Watch the full details of the interview on People and Places on GhanaWeb TV below:

MRA/AE

You can as well watch the latest compilation of Twi news on GhanaWeb TV below: