7 Forgotten Historical Sites in Accra That Deserve More Hype Than Independence Arch

Because history didn’t start — or end — at Black Star Square

By Samuel Kwame Boadu
Founder, SamBoad Business Group Ltd | Editor In Chief, Accra Street Journal

Accra’s skyline is changing — malls, apartments, and resorts are taking over. But buried beneath all this progress are powerful reminders of Ghana’s untold past. Ask the average visitor or even a local what historic sites exist in Accra, and you’ll likely hear “Independence Arch” or “Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum.”

But Ghana’s capital hides deeper, lesser-known gems that shaped its story long before independence.

With insights from local historians and travel bloggers, here are 7 forgotten historical sites in Accra you probably never heard of — but absolutely should visit.

1. James Fort Prison – Jamestown

Before it was used as a prison, James Fort was a trading post for the British in the 1600s. It housed political prisoners during colonial times — including future president Kwame Nkrumah himself. Today, it’s in disrepair, but historians like Dr. Kwaku Duah believe it could rival sites in Cape Coast if restored.

“It’s a symbol of resistance and colonial cruelty. People need to hear its stories.” — Dr. Kwaku Duah

2. Brazil House – Ussher Town

This yellow-painted house is a monument to Afro-Brazilian returnees who settled in Ghana in the 1800s after slavery was abolished in Brazil. It’s part museum, part mystery — and yet, many pass it without knowing the legacy it holds.

Travel blogger @AdjoaWanderer says: “It’s where two continents meet. I walked in and felt like I was in Salvador, Bahia.”

3. Osu Castle Slave Dungeons

Most Ghanaians don’t even know that Osu Castle — once the seat of government — had slave dungeons in its early years. Unlike Cape Coast or Elmina, this dark history has often been kept quiet. Tours are rare, but the ruins remain.

“We need to talk about the duality — how a presidential seat began as a slave hub,” notes heritage researcher Nana Ama Owusu.

4. Korle Wokon “Freedom Tree”

Near James Town, this tree was a gathering place for early freedom fighters and local chiefs. Oral history suggests that resistance speeches and community debates were held here — long before any organized independence movement began.

5. The Old Parliament House Ruins – High Street

Before Ghana built the State House, parliament meetings were held in this colonial-era building, now mostly overlooked. Its faded façade and abandoned halls still echo with the voices of Ghana’s first republic leaders.

6. W.E.B. Du Bois Memorial’s Lesser-Known Archives

Many visit the Du Bois Mausoleum for the tomb, but few know there’s an underground archive of Pan-African letters and documents, including Du Bois’ correspondence with Nkrumah, Malcolm X, and others. It’s a treasure trove for researchers and cultural nerds.

7. Dutch Cemetery – Osu

Built in the 1800s, this eerie but important graveyard contains the remains of Dutch settlers, missionaries, and African soldiers who served European interests. It tells a complex story of religion, trade, and colonization. Few even know it exists.

🧭 Why This Matters

Ghana’s identity isn’t just in our flags and statues. It’s in our old forts, forgotten trees, and dusty archives. These sites are living evidence of our struggles, migrations, triumphs, and losses.

If Accra truly wants to boost local tourism, then it’s time we give hype to history — and not just monuments.

💬 Which historical site in Accra do you think deserves more attention? Comment below or send us your list.

MoMo support to our editorial: 0242011394 (Samuel Kwame Boadu)