Accra, GhanaBack to Places Main > Accra, Ghana
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Accra was founded in the late 16th century by the Ga people on the western coast of Africa. The name "accra" is a reference to the many anthills in the region. By the 17th century, it was a major trading post of the European powers such as the Portuguese, Swedish, Dutch, French, British, and Danish. The four forts of Jamestown (the British), Osu and Christiansborg (Danish), and Ussherstown (Dutch) became the core of modern Accra. In 1877, Accra became the capital city of Ghana. The British completely captured it after winning the Second Anglo-Asante War. It also served as the capital of the British Gold Coast colony. They initially constructed a railway system to aid in a mining operation but after an earthquake in 1939, the city developed around its seaport and brewery.
After the 1948 Accra Riots, a more united movement for independence began. In 1957, Ghana became a nation again. In the present, Accra is home to over a million and is divided into 11 sub-metropoli. Some of its famous tourist attractions are the National Museum, National Theatre, Independence Square, Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum, and Accra International Conference Centre. The city's most popular sport is football. In the early 20th century, the Hawkins Family landed at the Kotoka International Airport and spent the first part of their vacation exploring Accra. They saw the Independence Monument, W.E.B. DuBois Center, and Akosombo Dam before taking a train to Kumasi.