Cape Coast: Museum, Forts and Fetu Afahye

Those looking for a hotel in Cape Coast can use its cultural and historical themes as a starting point for planning their trip. The Cape Coast Castle Museum, the two forts and the annual Fetu Afahye offer different perspectives: on the Central Region’s pre-colonial history and contemporary culture, on former structures and how they were used, and on a recurring festival date. These themes represent different areas of interest, not a single itinerary item.

Museum and tour at Cape Coast Castle

The Cape Coast Castle Museum features exhibits on the Central Region’s pre-colonial history alongside exhibits on its contemporary culture. The museum thus brings together two different perspectives in time. Its own history also has two clearly defined milestones: it was founded in 1970 and renovated by the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board in 1994. These dates relate to the museum’s development and should be distinguished from the historical themes of its exhibits. This gives you a focus for planning your trip that encompasses both regional history and contemporary culture.

A 45-minute tour of Cape Coast Castle takes you through the dungeons and the death cell, as well as to the “Door of No Return.” This offers a different approach from the themes of the museum exhibits: rather than the broader perspective on pre-colonial history and contemporary culture, the focus is on specific locations within the Castle. The duration and stops give the tour a clear structure. The museum and the tour therefore offer different emphases: one focuses on exhibits and their themes, the other on the Castle locations listed above.

Fort William and Fort Victoria: Different Histories

The histories of Fort William and Fort Victoria are easy to distinguish by looking at their different origins. Fort William in Cape Coast was built in April 1820 on the site of an observation post that had previously been used for signaling. Fort Victoria in Cape Coast Township was built in 1821 on the site of a fort constructed in 1712 that later fell into disrepair; Fort Victoria was formerly known as Phipp’s Tower. Although the two forts were built only a year apart, the history of the Fort Victoria site goes further back. In the case of Fort William, the distinction lies in the site’s earlier use as an observation post for signaling.

Fort William is currently used by staff of the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board and is in fairly good condition. If you plan to visit Fort William, check beforehand whether it is still being used as described.

Fetu Afahye and choosing your travel dates

Fetu Afahye begins each year on September 1 and is celebrated by the people of the Oguaa or Cape Coast Traditional Area in the Central Region. This recurring annual start date is a specific point of reference when choosing your travel dates if the festival is the reason for your stay. Unlike the one-off years associated with the forts’ histories, September 1 is a date that recurs every year. If you want to travel to Cape Coast for Fetu Afahye, you can use the start of the festival to plan your dates and then look for hotels in Cape Coast.

For the broader travel overview: Abura Asebu Kwamankese.