Perched on the rocky coastline of Anomabu in Ghana’s Central Region, Fort William (formerly Fort Anomabo) tells a story of ambition, exploitation, and resilience. Built in 1753 by the British, the fort’s history is inseparable from the transatlantic slave trade, during which it stood as both a symbol of colonial dominance and a harrowing gateway to suffering.
A Legacy of Fortifications
Before Fort William’s construction, the site bore witness to a series of colonial struggles:
- 1640: The Dutch erected the first lodge, a modest structure under Commander Arent Jacobsz van der Graeff. Over the next decades, it changed hands among the Dutch, Swedes, Danes, and British.
- 1674: The English built Fort Charles, named for King Charles II. However, it was demolished in 1730 to prevent its seizure by the French, marking a temporary lapse in British presence at Anomabu.
- 1753: Determined to secure their dominance after thwarting a French attempt to build a fort, the British African Company of Merchants constructed Fort William, designed by military engineer John Apperly.
By 1760, under Irishman Richard Brew, Fort William became a centerpiece of British operations, cementing Anomabu’s role as a major hub in the slave trade.
Fort William and the Slave Trade
Fort William stands apart for its architectural sophistication and grim purpose. Known as the “Buckingham Palace of the Gold Coast” for its elegance, the fort concealed its darker reality:
- It housed one of the largest slave prisons on the coast, designed specifically to detain enslaved Africans awaiting transport.
- The fort’s auction room and proximity to Assin Manso Slave Market made it a crucial node in the Atlantic slave trade. Records indicate that over 300,000 enslaved individuals passed through its gates, destined for colonies in Jamaica and Barbados.
An English captain once remarked that between 1702 and 1708, over 30,141 enslaved Africans were shipped from Anomabu, a number that does not account for other destinations. The inhumanity of these transactions solidifies the fort’s role as a monument to one of history’s darkest chapters.
The Changing Face of Fort William
Though built for commerce and defense, Fort William’s use evolved over time:
- 1794: The fort withstood a French assault, leveraging its superior cannons.
- 1806: It fell briefly during an Asante siege.
- 1830s: Commander Brodie Cruickshank added a second storey and renamed it after King William IV, signaling a shift in its legacy.
In the 19th and 20th centuries, it served varied purposes: a rest house, a post office, and eventually a prison until 2001. Restricted access during its time as a penitentiary contributed to its diminished recognition compared to Elmina and Cape Coast Castles.
A Community Revival
Today, Fort William serves as a community library, offering a space for learning while preserving its complex history. Efforts by Ghana’s Ministry of Tourism to restore and promote the fort as a historical landmark are ongoing, though progress remains modest.
Despite its lesser fame, Fort William holds an undeniable place in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Forts and Castles of Ghana. Its architectural beauty contrasts starkly with its tragic history, reminding visitors of the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of confronting the past.
Visiting Fort William
The fort is open to the public from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm, offering a window into the intersection of architectural grandeur and historical reckoning. Visitors leave with more than photographs. They carry a deeper understanding of the narratives that shaped Ghana and the African diaspora.
In commemorating Fort William, we honor those who passed through its walls and ensure their stories are never forgotten.
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