About History

Independence came to the Gold Coast in 1957, when Britain officially relinquished control after growing international pressure and mounting calls for self-rule within the colony. With global momentum building against colonialism in the aftermath of World War II, and a powerful local independence movement led by figures like Kwame Nkrumah, the British had little choice but to grant sovereignty. On March 6, 1957, the Gold Coast became the first sub-Saharan African country to achieve independence, giving birth to the modern nation of Ghana.

As part of the transition, control of historic sites such as Elmina Castle and other coastal forts—symbols of centuries of colonial exploitation—was handed over to the new government. Notably, the newly formed Ghana also included the Volta Region, which had previously been under German control as part of Togoland.

Following Germany’s defeat in World War I, this territory had been administered by the British under a League of Nations mandate and later a UN trusteeship. In a 1956 plebiscite, the people of British Togoland voted to join the Gold Coast in its path to independence, further shaping the borders of what is now Ghana.

About Ghana & Elmina History

Despite this historic unification and the symbolic significance of sites like Elmina Castle, challenges have persisted in the years since independence—particularly around heritage preservation. Even today, nearly all entrance fees collected from visitors to Elmina Castle and similar historical sites are directed to Ghana’s capital, Accra. This centralized system leaves very little financial support for local upkeep, restoration, or community-led preservation efforts at the site itself.

As a result, many of these castles and forts, though recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites and major cultural landmarks, suffer from neglect and inadequate maintenance. Local guides and caretakers often do their best under limited conditions, but the lack of direct reinvestment means essential repairs are delayed or abandoned entirely. For a place with such profound historical importance—both to Ghana and to the world—this underfunding is a serious concern. Greater local control and sustainable tourism practices are urgently needed to ensure these monuments are preserved for future generations, not only as tourist attractions but as places of memory, education, and healing.