| Formerly Gold Coast, Ghana was the first black African colony to achieve independence. Pan-Africanist dr. Kwame Nkrumah was the first President. The forts and castles along the coast of Ghana date back to the 15th Century and were built and occupied at different times by European traders and adventurers from Portugal, Spain, Denmark, Sweden, Holland, Germany and Britain to safeguard trading posts. European power struggles started with the Portuguese who built Elmina Castle in 1482 followed by the Dutch, Swedes, Danes, Prussians and the British looking for gold and ivory. This commercial rivalry ended with the tragic trade in slavery - all 42 European castles and fortifications being used as dungeons. Over 30 forts and castles including Elmina and Cape Coast Castles are recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage Monuments. |
