Cape Coast

Cape Coast is the historic capital of the Central Region of Ghana and the former capital city of The Gold Coast (prior to 1877, while under British rule, the capital was relocated to Accra).

The centre of historic Cape Coast, with the cathedral in the background.

(January 2007)

Cape Coast is located 165km west of the Ghanaian capital of Accra, and 130km east of Takoradi, the capital of the Western Region, along the beautiful coastline of the Gulf Of Guinea. It is easily reached from either Accra or Takoradi by private vehicle, tro-tro, or regular bus route offered by the Intercity/STC bus service.

It's wonderful palm-lined beaches, and beautiful bay, is usually is dotted with hundreds of fishing craft of all varieties, while stuccoed coastal villas spring up from the hillsides.

Boats in the fishing harbour at Cape Coast.

(January 2007)

The centre of the town elevated, while the surrounding suburbs are built around several lagoons, which seems to give a relaxing aura to the area. Cape Coast is also known by several other names - the town is known by the local Fante people as Oguaa, while the first Europeans to settle in the region, the Portuguese, who christened the area Cabo Corso (Short Cape).

 Ghana-pedia You Tube video clip of a taxi ride through the streets of Cape Coast, capital of the Central Region of Ghana.

(February 2009)

Owing to it's affiliation with the tragic era of slave-trading, but also due to it's pleasant & relaxed seaside location, Cape Coast is experiencing a boom in tourism, most notably with African-American tourists travelling through the region seeking their roots.

Chief amongst the destinations offered in the town & surrounds is Fort Carolusborg, the Swedish-built castle located along Russell Nitsin Road and alongside the main fishing harbour which was named after the Swedish King at the time, Charles X. Known today as Cape Coast Castle, this is the most well-known of the colonial slave forts open to visitors along the West African coast, and was visited by the President of the United States, Barack Obama, in his visit to Ghana in July 2009.

However, this is by no means the only fortification in Cape Coast - Fort William is located at the end of Lighthouse Road in the geographical centre of Cape Coast, while Fort Victoria is located at the end of Aboom Close on the western side of town.

The lagoon at Cape Coast, seen from the stands of the Robert Mensah Sports Stadium.

(January 2007)

 Other attractions for visitors using Cape Coast as a base to tour the region include historic Elmina, which is located 9km west along the coastal road, Hans Cottage Botel, a crocodile enclosure & hotel located 12km north, and Kakum National Park, located 20km north along the same road.

Cape Coast is an interesting mix, with it's historic past combining well with it's role as capital of the region. With a current population of just over 80,000 inhabitants, Cape Coast boasts services such as a university located along the main road between Cape Coast & Elmina, the University Of Cape Coast.

Cape Coast also boasts a good sports stadium, the Robert Mensah Sports Stadium, which has a capacity of 15,000 spectators, and is the home ground for the Ebusua Mysterious Dwarfs FC, who currently play in Ghana's Division One football league.