Fort James, Ghana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fort James |
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| Part of British Gold Coast | |
Fort Crèvecœur (left) and Fort James (right) in 1727.
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 Fort James
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| Coordinates | 5°32′01″N 0°12′40″W / 5.5337°N 0.2111°W |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1673 |
| Garrison information | |
| Occupants | Britain (1673-1957) |
Fort James is an important historic building in Accra, Ghana. It was built in 1673 by a British company called the Royal African Company of England. This company used the fort as a trading post. They traded valuable items like gold. Sadly, it was also a place where people were held and traded as slaves. This was a very dark period in history.
Fort James was one of many European forts along the coast of what was then known as the Gold Coast. Other forts included the Dutch Fort Crêvecœur (built in 1649) and the Danish Fort Christiansborg (built in 1652). Because of its key role during the time of European colonies, Fort James was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979. This list includes places around the world that are very important to human history.
Why is it called Fort James?
Fort James was probably named after James, who was the Duke of York at the time. He later became King James II of England. He was also in charge of the Royal African Company when the fort was built. The nearby town of Jamestown in Accra is also named after him.
A look at its past uses
The fort is located right next to the Jamestown Lighthouse. For many years, from the time it was built until 2008, Fort James was used as a prison. A very famous person, Kwame Nkrumah, was held prisoner here. He was Ghana's first president and a leader who fought for Ghana's independence. He was imprisoned in Fort James from 1950 to 1951.
Fort James today
Today, Fort James is an important historical site. It is open to visitors and serves as a tourist attraction. The fort is still in good condition, allowing people to learn about its long and complex history.
Additional images
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James Fort, Ghana
