Fort Augustaborg was a Danish fort on the eastern Gold Coast in present-day Ghana, which was located about 15 km east of Fort Christiansborg near present-day Teshie.[1]

The ruins of Fort Augustaborg in the 1890s.

History

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The fort was named for Princess Louise Augusta of Denmark, the fort was constructed in 1787 to combat attacks from the Portuguese Empire.[2] It was also used as a post for the Atlantic slave trade.[3] Five years later, Denmark was the first European nation to abolish the slave trade.[4]

On 17 August 1850, the fort was one of five Danish forts purchased by Queen Victoria.[5]

After the independence of Ghana in 1957, the fort became owned by the new administration. Along with 32 other forts and castles along Ghana’s coast, Fort Augusaborg is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.[6]

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ Pocu, Kojo. "Forts And Castles In Ghana - Full List". Mr. Pocu Blog. Retrieved 2022-12-08.
  2. ^ "Fort Augustaborg". NO CoVax Ghana-Net.com. Retrieved 2022-12-01.
  3. ^ Juang, Richard M.; Morrissette, Noelle (2008-03-12). Africa and the Americas: Culture, Politics, and History [3 volumes]: Culture, Politics, and History. ABC-CLIO. ISBN 978-1-85109-446-2.
  4. ^ "Ghana Museums & Monuments Board". ghanamuseums.org. Retrieved 2022-12-08.
  5. ^ Y, Dr (2018-04-25). "Denmark and Slavery: Danish Forts and Possessions on the Gold Coast". African Heritage. Retrieved 2022-12-08.
  6. ^ "Visit Ghana - Forts and Castles in Ghana". Visit Ghana. Retrieved 2022-12-08.