Ussher Fort Museum
33 Professor Atta Mills High St., Accra, GHA
Housed in a historic European fortress in Accra, the Ussher Fort Museum offers a sobering look at the West African slave trade. It features exhibits such as slave trade paintings and artifacts from captors and enslaved people, including shackles and weaponry. The museum features model slave ships and tributes to abolitionists, emphasizing the struggle to end this inhumane practice.
Travelers who want insight into the slave trade can visit and learn more at this former prison. The somewhat dilapidated Ussher Fort is a popular stop on private guided tours that explore Ghana's history. These tours range from brief half-day itineraries, visiting key Accra sights such as Makola Market and Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, to longer 2- to 3-day journeys that venture beyond Accra to destinations like Cape Coast Castle.
The uneven ground in and around the fort means it is challenging to access for people who use wheelchairs.
After visiting Ussher Fort, stop by a nearby beach bar, such as Ship Hauzz Beach or Train Beach Resort.
For in-depth commentary to explain more about the exhibits and the history of the slave trade, visit with a guide.
Ussher Fort is located Jamestown in Accra, close to the Gulf of Guinea on the Atlantic Coast. If you’re arriving at Accra Railway Station, you can walk to Ussher Fort in around 20 minutes. Alternatively, a taxi ride is a slightly quicker option and takes around 15 minutes to get there.
The museum at Ussher Fort is open from Monday to Saturday, from morning until late afternoon. For a quieter experience, weekday mornings are the ideal time. However, if you're comfortable with crowds and interested in additional cultural events, time your visit around the annual Chale Wote Street Art Festival. Usually held in August in the surrounding area, this vibrant festival features art exhibitions, theater, parades, and live performances.
After visiting Ussher Fort, extend your exploration of Accra's European forts with a visit to Fort James, an 11-minute walk away. Also, consider a trip to Osu Castle, known as Christiansborg Castle, which is a brief 7-minute taxi ride or a 47-minute walk from Ussher Fort, offering further insight into Ghana's colonial past.
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