Fort Prinzenstein
Fort Prinzenstein (Danish: Fort Prinsensten) is a fort located at Keta, Ghana which was used in the slave trade. Many such forts were built in Africa, but Prinzenstein is one of the few that lie east of the Volta River. It was initially built by Danish traders in 1784 for defensive purposes after the Sagbadre War against the Anlo Ewe and to keep the area safe from other colonial powers. The fort was used as a dungeon for slaves awaiting transportation to the Caribbean. In 1850 the fort, along with the rest of the Danish Gold Coast was sold to Britain. The fort was used as a prison for a period before it was partially destroyed by the sea in 1980. The remains of the fort are now visited by tourists.
The majority of the materials, especially the stone used for the building of the fort, came from Accra. The fort is among the four major structures that were built by the Danish. The fort significantly played an important part in the slave trade, which involved Europeans in West Africa. Aside from the slave trade, the fort served an active purpose in the trade of imported and exported goods such as gold and ivory in a give-and-take for muskets, brandy, iron rods, textiles, cowries shells etc.
Prinzenstein (stone of the Prince) was erected in 1784 by the Danes and is one of the most spectacular relics of colonialism in Keta. In the colonial era, the fort served as a prison, a role it continued to serve until it was damaged by waves during a storm in 1980.
The fort served as a transit point for slaves from Accra, Northern Volta, Togo and Dahomey in Benin. They were marched from their villages and taken to the slaves markets in Keta and Atorkor, where you can see a memorial of the slave trade.
From there, the slaves were brought to Fort Prinzenstein and were subjected to a through physical examination by a medical expert. It was followed by the barbaric European practice of branding. A red-hot iron with the name or coat of arms of the company was used to burn a mark on the bodies of the slaves.
The fort offers as a step back in time and an insight into an area of history that cannot be ignored.
Atorkor Slave Market
Atorkor like many other places in West Africa was associated with the slave trade. Atorkor was part of what was formally known as the Upper Slave Coast. Because of its location on the Atlantic Coast it became a port for the shipment of captives procured from the interior.
A monument shown below was built a few years ago in memory of this unfortunate trade, with funds provided by a group of Anlo citizens in America.
The Keta (Atorkor) Slave Market was a place where red-hot iron was used to burn a mark on the bodies of slaves.
They were marched from their villages and taken to the slaves’ markets in Keta and Atorkor.
From there, the slaves were brought to Fort Prinzenstein at Keta and were subjected to a thorough physical examination by a medical expert. It was followed by the barbaric European practice of branding. A red-hot iron with the name or coat of arms of the company was used to burn a mark on the bodies of the slaves.
Atorkor is a small village in the Anlo District of the Volta Region (South Eastern) part of Ghana. It is located on the Atlantic coast with a beautiful sandy beach.
Atorkor is located some 28 kilometers away from Keta, a prominent coastal town in the Volta Region of Ghana. Due to its proximity to the Golf of Guinea, the area is very sandy and there is little arable land available for farming and the greater portion of the area is covered by sea sand.
Atorkor village is blessed with lovely natural beaches, calm & peaceful life, good roads linking it and Accra, the capital city of Ghana as well as surrounding towns and villages. It is sandwiched between the sea and the lagoon, and has some of the warmest and friendliest people in all of Africa. Basically, it is a safe, enchanting village and a wonderful place to visit. It has a population of about 6,000 people.
Ancestral Caves of Leklebi
Leklebi Agbesia is located few kilometres east off the main Accra-Hohoe road between Logba Alakpeti and Golokwati junction.
A trip to the caves is worthwhile, not only do you see the historic caves of the people of Leklebi Agbesia, but also, an opportunity to see the mysterious palm, waterfalls and the mountains. The caves forms an interesting part of the history for people of Leklebi Agbesia. Some 150 years ago, their forefathers stored large amounts of rice and grains in caves in the mountains.
These storage facilities now serve as a tourist site for visitors. The natives there are eve willing to explain their history and traditions to interested visitors. This is a four in one tourist center, you can’t afford to miss this when you are in the Volta region of Ghana.
Cape St Paul Lighthouse
This ancient lighthouse located in Woe, built in 1901 can be found just off Keta’s Municipalities main road. It is a vital part of Keta’s coastline. Still functioning, it is used to direct ships at night away from what is believed to be a big submerged mountain just off the coast of Woe.
It is reportedly the oldest lighthouse in the country making climbing it an interesting if somewhat daunting adventure! Upon climbing to the top, you will be rewarded with the fantastic views of Keta’s beautiful sandy beaches and Woe’s famous farming land.
It is currently used to direct ships away from what is believed to be a big submerged mountain just off the coast of Woe. The summit presents fantastic views of Keta’s beautiful sandy beaches and Woe’s famous farming land.
Kpetoe Kente Weaving Village
Kpetoe Kente Weaving Village is located near the Togo border, a cluster of villages called Kpetoe has produced kente cloth for generations. It is renowned for high-quality Ewe kente, which is unique in design and often less expensive than that from other regions.
Kpetoe has begun efforts to provide expanded and more structured services for tourists. Meanwhile, visitors can have an interesting time exploring the villages, its weavers, and kente shops on their own.
Amedzofe Village
Another tourist site in the Volta Region is the Amedzofe township. Amedzofe is a small town located north of Ho, the regional capital.The township is home to lots of tourist attraction sites and offers an exciting adventure to the, forest, Ote Falls and Ghana’s second highest mountain, Mount Gemi (611m). Another important fact is that: at an altitude of 750m, it is Ghana’s highest settlement. A reported 20,000 visitors and tourists visit the Amedzofe township yearly.
Amedzofe, is the highest habitable place in Ghana at more than 600 meters, is perched at the foot of Mt. Gemi. Visitors can hike up the mountain and to a lovely waterfall in the valley. The 4-meter-tall large cross on the top of Mt. Gemi was constructed by German missionaries in the 1930s, along with a church and a bell tower situated on one of the highest points in the village. Both the mountain and the church site offer dramatic views all the way to Lake Volta in clear weather.
Foyer de Charite
The Christ the King of Peace Community of the FOYER DE CHARITE is located in the Volta Region of Ghana. The Region shares borders with the Republic of Togo and so makes the Foyer in Ghana the closest in distance from the Foyer of Aledjo, Togo (the first in Africa). From Accra, the national capital, the Foyer is 225 kilometers and it takes approximately four hours of normal drive to get here. Administratively, the Foyer is within the Hohoe Municipality, 15 kilometers away; and 25 kilometers away from the Municipality of Kpando.
The Foyer is “Hidden” between two hills: the “Deo Gratias” Hill [or “Akpe Na Mawu” To], to the East, upon which a Cross is planted and the “God Sees” Hill [or “Mawu le Ekpom” To] to the West. The Foyer is right by the Tsatsadu Waterfall; two kilometers off-road from the Alavanyo-Abehenease Township.
The scenery hosting the Foyer is the most beautiful and most serene in the Region and also one of the best in the country. The “Home of the Heart of Jesus (that the Foyer de Charité Community is) is Open to All who would have need to pause and take stock of Life and so are in need of a peaceful and serene atmosphere with the warmth of the Consecrated Lay Christian Community to welcome them to discover and live one of the best gifts Nature can offer them. There is enough natural and prepared space for prayer and relaxation. Rooms and meals served at very affordable rates prepare one to adequately rest and so learn from the Retreats that are preached here.
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