People and Places: Fort Prinzenstein

Fort Prinzenstein, located at Keta in the Volta Region, is one of the historic forts that played a significant role in the transatlantic slave trade. Built by Danish traders in 1784, the fort was used for defensive purposes and to facilitate the slave trade.

The name "Prinzenstein" is Danish for "Prince's Stone." The fort was named in honour of the Danish Crown Prince.

The fort's history dates back to 1714 when the Danish established a post at Keta. However, the Dutch took over the post in 1719 and built Fort Singelenburgh in 1734. The Dutch abandoned the fort in 1737, and the Danes re-established their presence at Keta.

The fort, built with stone from Accra, was designed to safeguard the area from rival colonial powers. It was one of four major structures built by the Danes in Ghana.

Fort Prinzenstein has served as a prison, storage facility, military base and administrative centre for the Danes in the Gold Coast. It has undergone minor restoration work and now serves as a museum and a monument to the history of the transatlantic slave trade.

In 1979, the fort was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site alongside other notable castles and forts in Ghana.

Today, though not in good condition due to erosion by the sea and neglect at some point, Fort Prinzenstein is a popular tourist attraction and a significant historical landmark in Ghana.