The Prampram Police Station, situated at Lakpleh, Lower Prampram, in the Ningo-Prampram District of the Greater Accra Region, holds the distinction of being the oldest police station in the country.
Originally built in 1814 by the Danes as a fortified structure to safeguard the local harbour, this historic building has played multiple roles over the years before being repurposed as a police station.
Its history is deeply rooted in the Danish influence in the area, where it significantly contributed to local trade and commerce.
According to a senior citizen of the town, Samuel Tetteh Gberbie, the facility became vacant after the harbour was relocated.
With the British colonial government's introduction of professional policing in the Gold Coast in 1821, the vacant structure was conveniently converted into a police station, leveraging its existing fortified design and strategic location.
Since then, it has served the community for many years.
The structure's robust construction, featuring burnt bricks made of clay and limestone, is credited with its durability, with some even describing it as bulletproof.
This has enabled the building to stand the test of time.
Despite being over 200 years old, the structure remains strong and functional, except for the roof, which has undergone renovations.
This defies the common expectation that a building of such antiquity would be in a state of disrepair and abandoned.
What's particularly notable is that the Prampram Police Station predates the establishment of formal police stations in major administrative centres such as Cape Coast, famously known as the "City of Firsts" and first administrative capital and Accra.
Despite Cape Coast's rich history and significance, Prampram, under Danish influence in the early 18th century, grants it a unique place in Ghana's law enforcement history, beating both Cape Coast and Accra to having a police station.
The station's history reflects the complex colonial past of the country, marked by the influence of different European powers in various regions.
Today, the police station continues to serve the vibrant fishing community and stands as a historical landmark that visitors can explore to gain insights into Ghana's law enforcement heritage.
