Princes Town, Ghana: Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 04°47′37″N 02°08′05″W / 4.79361°N 2.13472°W / 4.79361; -2.13472
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| postal_code = WH-2286
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| area_code = 03121<ref name="regcodes">{{cite web |title=REGIONAL DIALING CODES |url=https://vodafone.com.gh/help/regional-dialing-codes/ |website=vodafone.com.gh |publisher=Vodafone Ghana |accessdate=20 July 2020}}</ref>
| area_code = 03121<ref name="regcodes">{{cite web |title=REGIONAL DIALING CODES |url=https://vodafone.com.gh/help/regional-dialing-codes/ |website=vodafone.com.gh |publisher=Vodafone Ghana |access-date=20 July 2020}}</ref>
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'''Princes Town''' or '''Pokesu''' is located 5&nbsp;km east of [[Fort Santo Antonio|Fort St. Antonio]] on Manfro Hill in the [[Ahanta West District]] of the [[Western Region, Ghana|Western Region]] of south [[Ghana]]. It lies between [[Axim]] to the west and [[Sekondi-Takoradi]] to the east. On 1 January 1681, a [[Brandenburg-Prussia|Brandenburger]] expedition of two ships commanded by [[Otto Friedrich von der Groeben]] arrived in the [[Brandenburger Gold Coast|Gold Coast]] and began to build a strong fort between Axim and the [[Cape of Three Points]]. The fort was completed in 1683 and was named Fort Fredericksburg (German: ''Gross-Friedrichsburg'') in honour of Prince [[Frederick William I, Elector of Brandenburg]]. Because the fort was named after a Prince, it has been referred to as Princes Town. The fort was to be the headquarters of the Brandenburgers in Africa.<ref name="Princes Town-Ghana West Coast" />
'''Princes Town''' or '''Pokesu''' is located 5&nbsp;km east of [[Fort Santo Antonio|Fort St. Antonio]] on Manfro Hill in the [[Ahanta West District]] of the [[Western Region, Ghana|Western Region]] of south [[Ghana]], Africa. It lies between [[Axim]] to the west and [[Sekondi-Takoradi]] to the east. On 1 January 1681, a [[Brandenburg-Prussia|Brandenburger]] expedition of two ships commanded by [[Otto Friedrich von der Groeben]] arrived in the [[Brandenburger Gold Coast|Gold Coast]] and began to build a strong fort between Axim and the [[Cape of Three Points]]. The fort was completed in 1683 and was named Fort Fredericksburg (German: ''Groß Friedrichsburg, Groß-Friedrichsburg, Großfriedrichsburg'') in honour of Prince [[Frederick William I, Elector of Brandenburg]]. Because the fort was named after a Prince, it has been referred to as Princes Town. The fort was to be the headquarters of the Brandenburgers in Africa.<ref name="Princes Town-Ghana West Coast" />


== History ==
== History ==
In 1708, an [[Akan people|Akan]] [[merchant]], [[John Canoe]] learned that the [[Germany|Germans]] were going to sell the fort to the [[Netherlands|Dutch]]. In protest, he began a resistance that managed to stave off fleets of [[battleship]]s for almost 20 years. The fort was eventually captured in 1725 by the Dutch and renamed "Hollandia". Because John Canoe was successful in retaining control of the fort, inhabitants looked upon him as a hero.<ref name="Princes Town-Ghana West Coast" /> In 1872, the Dutch ceded the fort to Britain and in 1957, the fort became part of the newly independent country of Ghana.<ref name="Princes Town-Ghana West Coast">[http://www.ghanawestcoast.com/gwc/princess_town.php Princes Town-Ghana West Coast]. ''ghanawestcoast.com''.</ref>
By 1717, an [[Akan people|Akan]] [[merchant]], [[John Canoe]] learned that the Prussians were going to sell the fort to the Dutch. In protest, he began a resistance that managed to stave off fleets of [[battleship]]s for approximately seven years. The fort was eventually captured in 1724 or 1725 by the Dutch and renamed "Hollandia". Because John Canoe was successful in retaining control of the fort, inhabitants looked upon him as a hero.<ref name="Princes Town-Ghana West Coast" /> In 1872, the Dutch ceded the fort to Britain and in 1957, the fort became part of the newly independent country of Ghana.<ref name="Princes Town-Ghana West Coast">[http://www.ghanawestcoast.com/gwc/princess_town.php Princes Town-Ghana West Coast]. ''ghanawestcoast.com''.</ref>


"[[Junkanoo]]" festivals, named after John Canoe, such as [[Mardi Gras]] are held annually in the coastal outlines of [[North Carolina]], in [[Jamaica]] and the [[Bahamas]].
"[[Junkanoo]]" festivals, named after John Canoe, such as [[Mardi Gras]] are held annually in the coastal outlines of [[North Carolina]], in [[Jamaica]] and the [[Bahamas]].
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[[File:Groß Friedrichsburg.JPG|thumb|Forts Groot Friedrichsburg]]
[[File:Groß Friedrichsburg.JPG|thumb|Forts Groot Friedrichsburg]]
The Fort Fredericksburg was built of stone transported by sea between 1681 and 1683 from [[Prussia]] and is one of two [[Germans|German]] forts built in Ghana, the other being [[Fort Dorothea]].<ref name="Briggs 2014 p. 257">{{cite book | last=Briggs | first=P. | title=Ghana | publisher=Bradt Travel Guides | series=Bradt Travel Guide Series | year=2014 | isbn=978-1-84162-478-5 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ShVTAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA257 | access-date=16 May 2019 | page=257}}</ref> It is estimated that some 300,000 Africans were transported through this fort. The remains of John Canoe are a mystery. Some{{Who|date=August 2020}} have said he was captured after having lost the battle of the fort while others have said his remains are in the Tafo Cemetery in [[Kumasi]]. Because of its testimony to the [[Atlantic slave trade]] and the history of European colonial trade and exploitation, the fort was inscribed on the [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage List]] in 1979 along with [[List of castles in Ghana|several other castles and forts in Ghana]].<ref name="unesco">{{cite web|title=Forts and Castles, Volta, Greater Accra, Central and Western Regions|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/34/|website=UNESCO World Heritage Convention|access-date=9 Oct 2022}}</ref>
The Fort Fredericksburg was built of stone transported by sea between 1681 and 1683 from [[Prussia]] and is one of two [[Germans|German]] forts built in Ghana, the other being [[Fort Dorothea]].<ref name="Briggs 2014 p. 257">{{cite book | last=Briggs | first=P. | title=Ghana | publisher=Bradt Travel Guides | series=Bradt Travel Guide Series | year=2014 | isbn=978-1-84162-478-5 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ShVTAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA257 | access-date=16 May 2019 | page=257}}</ref> It is estimated that some 300,000 Africans were transported through this fort. The remains of John Canoe are a mystery. Some{{Who|date=August 2020}} have said he was captured after having lost the battle of the fort while others have said his remains are in the Tafo Cemetery in [[Kumasi]]. Because of its testimony to the [[Atlantic slave trade]] and the history of European colonial trade and exploitation, the fort was inscribed on the [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage List]] in 1979 along with [[List of castles in Ghana|several other castles and forts in Ghana]].<ref name="unesco">{{cite web|title=Forts and Castles, Volta, Greater Accra, Central and Western Regions|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/34/|website=UNESCO World Heritage Convention|access-date=9 Oct 2022}}</ref>

== Photo Gallery of Fort Fredericksburg ==
<gallery>
File:Fort Gross Fredericksburg 2.jpg|Fort Gross Fredericksburg at Princess town in the Western Region of Ghana
File:Fort Gross Fredericksburg 14.jpg|Fort Gross Fredericksburg at Princess town in the Western Region of Ghana
File:Fort Gross Fredericksburg 4.jpg|Fort Gross Fredericksburg at Princess town in the Western Region of Ghana
File:Fort Gross Fredericksburg 3.jpg|Fort Gross Fredericksburg at Princess town in the Western Region of Ghana
File:Fort Gross Fredericksburg 8.jpg|Cannonball in Fort Gross Fredericksburg at Princess town in the Western Region of Ghana
File:Fort Gross Fredericksburg 21.jpg|Part of the Fort Gross Fredericksburg at Princess town was damage as a result of battle in the fort.
File:Fort Gross Fredericksburg 11.jpg|Fort Gross Fredericksburg at Princess town in the Western Region of Ghana
File:Fort Gross Fredericksburg 19.jpg|Fort Gross Fredericksburg at Princess town in the Western Region of Ghana
File:Fort Gross Fredericksburg.jpg|Fort Gross Fredericksburg at Princess town in the Western Region of Ghana
File:Fort Gross Fredericksburg 15.jpg|Fort Gross Fredericksburg at Princess town in the Western Region of Ghana
File:Fort Gross Fredericksburg 17.jpg|Top of prison cell at Fort Gross Fredericksburg at Princess town in the Western Region of Ghana
</gallery>


== Sister cities ==
== Sister cities ==
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{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:Populated places in the Western Region (Ghana)]]
[[Category:Populated places in Ahanta West Municipal District]]

Latest revision as of 20:36, 10 January 2024

Princes Town
Pokesu
Princes Town is located in Ghana
Princes Town
Princes Town
Location of Princes Town in Western Region
Coordinates: 4°47′37″N 2°8′5″W / 4.79361°N 2.13472°W / 4.79361; -2.13472
CountryGhana
RegionWestern Region
DistrictAhanta West District
Elevation
0 m (0 ft)
Time zoneGMT
 • Summer (DST)GMT
Ghana Post GPS
WH-2286
Area code03121[1]

Princes Town or Pokesu is located 5 km east of Fort St. Antonio on Manfro Hill in the Ahanta West District of the Western Region of south Ghana, Africa. It lies between Axim to the west and Sekondi-Takoradi to the east. On 1 January 1681, a Brandenburger expedition of two ships commanded by Otto Friedrich von der Groeben arrived in the Gold Coast and began to build a strong fort between Axim and the Cape of Three Points. The fort was completed in 1683 and was named Fort Fredericksburg (German: Groß Friedrichsburg, Groß-Friedrichsburg, Großfriedrichsburg) in honour of Prince Frederick William I, Elector of Brandenburg. Because the fort was named after a Prince, it has been referred to as Princes Town. The fort was to be the headquarters of the Brandenburgers in Africa.[2]

History[edit]

By 1717, an Akan merchant, John Canoe learned that the Prussians were going to sell the fort to the Dutch. In protest, he began a resistance that managed to stave off fleets of battleships for approximately seven years. The fort was eventually captured in 1724 or 1725 by the Dutch and renamed "Hollandia". Because John Canoe was successful in retaining control of the fort, inhabitants looked upon him as a hero.[2] In 1872, the Dutch ceded the fort to Britain and in 1957, the fort became part of the newly independent country of Ghana.[2]

"Junkanoo" festivals, named after John Canoe, such as Mardi Gras are held annually in the coastal outlines of North Carolina, in Jamaica and the Bahamas.

Fort Fredericksburg[edit]

Forts Groot Friedrichsburg

The Fort Fredericksburg was built of stone transported by sea between 1681 and 1683 from Prussia and is one of two German forts built in Ghana, the other being Fort Dorothea.[3] It is estimated that some 300,000 Africans were transported through this fort. The remains of John Canoe are a mystery. Some[who?] have said he was captured after having lost the battle of the fort while others have said his remains are in the Tafo Cemetery in Kumasi. Because of its testimony to the Atlantic slave trade and the history of European colonial trade and exploitation, the fort was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979 along with several other castles and forts in Ghana.[4]

Photo Gallery of Fort Fredericksburg[edit]

Sister cities[edit]

List of sister cities of Princes Town, designated by Sister Cities International:

Country City County / District / Region / State Date
United States USA Fredericksburg, VA Virginia

References[edit]

  1. ^ "REGIONAL DIALING CODES". vodafone.com.gh. Vodafone Ghana. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  2. ^ a b c Princes Town-Ghana West Coast. ghanawestcoast.com.
  3. ^ Briggs, P. (2014). Ghana. Bradt Travel Guide Series. Bradt Travel Guides. p. 257. ISBN 978-1-84162-478-5. Retrieved 16 May 2019.
  4. ^ "Forts and Castles, Volta, Greater Accra, Central and Western Regions". UNESCO World Heritage Convention. Retrieved 9 October 2022.

External links[edit]


04°47′37″N 02°08′05″W / 4.79361°N 2.13472°W / 4.79361; -2.13472