62-703: Liberation Day monument is a monument in Accra , Ghana . It stands in honour of several veterans of the Burma campaign conducted during the Second World War by Commonwealth forces in which the veterans fought for the British Empire . After returning to the Gold Coast , some of the veterans began a peaceful protest and marched towards Christiansborg Castle . The protesters were fired upon, and seven of
124-613: A dozen Ga boys from Accra. He lived and worked in Mayera for a decade before returning to Christiansborg, Osu. In 1903, he was part of the committee at Abokobi that revised the Ga Bible, including Ludwig Richter, Jakob Wilhelm Werz, Christian Kölle and Daniel Sabah (1854-07). The revision committee completed its work in 1912. He finished work on his notable book, A History of the Gold Coast and Asante in 1889. This literary piece
186-656: A fellow Ga-Danish mulatto or Gold Coast Euro-African and an 18th-century Moravian missionary and educator in Christiansborg who wrote the first recorded grammatical pamphlet in the Ga and Fante languages, which was published in Copenhagen in 1764. In 1856, Carl Reindorf married Juliana Ayikai Mansah Djebi from a notable household in Asere . Djebi had received a European-type education, living with Marie Locher,
248-520: A growing level of international influence and connectedness. The word Accra is derived from the Akan word Nkran meaning "ants", a reference to the numerous anthills seen in the countryside around Accra. The name specifically refers to soldier ants , and was applied to both the town and people by the Twi speakers. The name of Accra in the local Ga language is Ga or Gaga , the same name as that of
310-688: A large Parliament complex, Nkrumah decided to build landmarks such as Independence Square, the State House, and the Organisation of African Unity building, and to refurbish Christianborg Castle. Nkrumah decided to leave the Atlantic coastal region undeveloped so as to not detract attention from the Community Centre or Independence Square, lending both spaces symbolic significance. The Nkrumah plan did not emphasize order nearly as much as
372-475: A march on Christiansborg Castle , Accra, on 28 February 1948. Their plan was to hand a petition to the colonial governor demanding they receive their pay and benefits. Before reaching the castle, the veterans were fired upon, after being ordered by the colonial police chief to disperse. Three of the leaders of the demonstration were killed, including Sergeant Nii Adjetey , who now has a memorial in Accra, leading to
434-495: A missionary-wife in Christiansborg. The couple had eleven children including a prominent Gold Coast physician and a 1910 medical graduate of the Durham University , Dr. Charles Elias Reindorf, who died in 1968. Carl Reindorf died of natural causes on 1 July 1917. The chiefs and people of Osu accorded him a "full state funeral" with "the attendance reported as being the largest seen in Accra for many years" At
496-599: A strong influence on him in the areas of source criticism and historiography . Carl Reindorf was a mission assistant to the Basel missionary, August Steinhauser and ran administrative errands for him in Odumase-Krobo to meet the paramount chief, Odonkor Azu, whose sons, including Sir Emmanuel Mate Kole, were educated by the Basel Mission. Reindorf succeeded Steinhauser at Abokobi as a missionary, following
558-665: A weaker second rainy season occurs in October. Rain usually falls in short intensive storms and causes local flooding in which drainage channels are obstructed. Very little variation in temperature occurs throughout the year. The mean monthly temperature ranges from 25.9 °C (78.6 °F) in August (the coolest) to 29.6 °C (85.3 °F) in March (the hottest), with an annual average of 27.6 °C (81.7 °F). The "cooler" months, which are summer months tend to be more humid than
620-587: Is the Greater Accra Region 's economic and administrative hub, and serves as the anchor of the larger Greater Accra Metropolitan Area (GAMA), which is inhabited by about 4 million people, making it the thirteenth-largest metropolitan area in Africa . In 2020, the Globalization and World Cities Research Network think tank designated Accra as a "Gamma −" level global city , indicating
682-548: The 1948 Accra riots . In the Fry/Treavallion plan, a reorganization of the CBD was called for, as well as the development of the coastal region of the city. To reorganize the CBD, the planners decided to superimpose a tight street grid north of Fort Ussher. To the east of this newly organized CBD, the planners hoped to preserve a broad, open space for a restaurant, country club, and polo and cricket fields. Additionally,
SECTION 10
#1732787525509744-643: The Accra Metropolitan District , 20.4 km (7.9 sq mi), had a population of 284,124 inhabitants, and the larger Greater Accra Region , 3,245 km (1,253 sq mi), had a population of 5,455,692 inhabitants. In common usage, the name "Accra" often refers to the territory of the Accra Metropolitan District as it existed before 2008, when it covered 199.4 km (77.0 sq mi). This territory has since been split into 13 local government districts : 12 independent municipal districts (total area: 179.0 km ) and
806-571: The Accra Metropolitan District , is led by a Metropolitan Chief Executive who is appointed by the President of the Republic of Ghana . The Mayor of Accra is Mohammed Adjei Sowah , who was appointed by President Nana Akufo-Addo and approved unanimously by the AMA on 23 March 2017. The Ablekuma South sub-metropolitan district covers an area of 6 km (2.3 sq mi) and is bordered by
868-725: The Bank of Ghana are also located in Accra. The city is also a transportation hub, home to the Kotoka International Airport , and railway links to Tema , Sekondi-Takoradi and Kumasi . Accra has become a location for national and international business conferences, such as the BarCamp Ghana series, organised by GhanaThink Foundation. Owing to its location in the Dahomey Gap , where the Gulf of Guinea and
930-662: The Basel Mission School at Osu between 1847 and 1855. He was baptised in 1844. Unhappy with the school curriculum, he quit school halfway through his education and worked for his uncle as a trader for two years from 1850 to 1852. During this period, he often crossed the Volta River to trade with the Ewe people . One of his tutors in catechism was the German philologist , Johannes Zimmermann (1825-1876) who had
992-486: The British Gold Coast ended before the Fry/Treavallion plan was enacted. When Kwame Nkrumah became Ghana's first post-independence Prime Minister in 1957, he created his own plan for Accra's development. Instead of creating spaces to serve the elite, Nkrumah sought to create spaces to inspire pride and nationalism in his people and people throughout Africa. Rather than creating ornamental fountains and
1054-538: The Ga language ; scholars consider the book a “culturally important” work and an increasingly important source for Ghanaian history. The work was later translated into English and published in 1895 in Switzerland . He used written sources and oral tradition , interviewing more than 200 people in the course of assembling his history. Reindorf was born in Prampram , Gold Coast , a palm oil trading port He
1116-508: The Ga people and a cognate with Nkran . The word is sometimes rendered with the nasalised vowels as Gã or Gãgã . Historian Carl Christian Reindorf confirmed this etymology, proposing a link between the martial qualities and migratory behaviour of the local ants and those of the Ga people. The link between the ethnonym and ants was explicitly reflected in the recognition of anthills as sacred places. Often ringed by sacred fences ( aklabatsa ),
1178-591: The "City of Accra". Formed from the merger of distinct settlements around British Fort James , Dutch Fort Crêvecoeur (Ussher Fort) , and Danish Fort Christiansborg as Jamestown , Usshertown , and Christiansborg respectively, Accra served as the capital of the British Gold Coast between 1877 and 1957 and has since transitioned into a modern metropolis. The capital's architecture reflects this history, ranging from 19th-century colonial architecture to modern skyscrapers and apartment blocks. Accra
1240-500: The 1854 bombardment of Christiansborg by the British naval ship H. M. S. Scourge, after the poll tax riots , compelling the mission to move from Osu to Abokobi . The local Abokobi shaman, Akoto Badu of Agbowo , converted to Christianity while he was stationed there. He was transferred to Krobo in 1859 to deputise Johannes Zimmermann . He was also missionary at Teshie but was unable to win any Christian converts. Reindorf
1302-698: The Ablekuma Central and Ablekuma North Municipal Assemblies, and the Ashiedu Keteke sub-metropolitan district. It includes 5 electoral areas: Korle Gonno, Korlebu, Chorkor, Mamprobi, and New Mamprobi. Communities within the Okaikoi South sub-metropolitan district include Darkuman, New Fadama, Kaneshie, Bubiashie, and Avenor. The sub-metro has 8 electoral areas namely Awudome, Goten, Kaatsean, Mukose, Bubuashie, Bubui, Avenor and Kaneshie. The Ashiedu Keteke sub-metropolitan district covers
SECTION 20
#17327875255091364-613: The Accra Metropolitan District, 199.4 km (77.0 sq mi), as it existed before 2008, is now divided into 13 separate local government districts, all governed as municipal assemblies with their own town hall and a municipal executive appointed by the president of the republic. Each municipal assembly is responsible for most local services, such as local planning and refuse collection. The reduced Accra Metropolitan District (also referred to as City of Accra), 20.4 km (7.9 sq mi), once comprised
1426-555: The Atlantic Ocean coast runs parallel to the prevailing moist monsoonal winds, Accra features a very marginal tropical wet and dry climate ( Köppen climate classification : Aw ) that borders on a hot semi-arid climate ( Köppen climate classification : BSh ). The average annual rainfall is about 730 mm, which falls primarily during Ghana's two rainy seasons. The chief rainy season begins in April and ends in mid-July, whilst
1488-970: The British James Fort , Osu near the Danish fort of Christiansborg (now Osu Castle ), and Ussherstown near the Dutch Ussher fort . Tourist attractions include the National Museum of Ghana , the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences , the National Archives of Ghana and Ghana's central library, the National Theatre , the Accra Centre for National Culture, and Jamestown Lighthouse . The Parliament , Supreme Court of Ghana , Black Star Square and
1550-400: The British planners intended to build large numbers of public squares, fountains, and ornamental pools and statues throughout the city, as well as a vast Parliament Complex in the city centre. Lastly, the Fry/Treavallion plan included plans to make the coastal region an extension of the exclusive European neighbourhood of Victoriaborg, and to create a recreational preserve for the elite. However,
1612-665: The Central Business District (CBD) and as such the hub of major commercial activities within the Metropolis. Major markets include Makola, Agbogbloshie, and Kwasiodwaso. There are 8 electoral areas namely Ngleshie, Mudor, Kinka, Nmlitsagonno, Amamomo, Korle Wonkon, and Korle Dudor. Ledzekuku Municipal District The Ledzekuku Municipal District, with its administrative capital at Teshie , covers an estimated area of 31.3 km (12.1 sq mi). Krowor Municipal District The Krowor Municipal District
1674-506: The Fry/Treavallion plan did; whereas the British plan strove to lessen crowding in the commercial district and help relieve the overcrowding of neighbourhoods bordering the CBD, the Nkrumah plan allowed for continued compression of commercial establishments into the CBD, as well as increased migration into Jamestown. The modern city is centered on the original British, Danish, and Dutch forts and their surrounding communities: Jamestown near
1736-622: The Hesse sisters: Pauline Hesse , a trader and missionary-wife, married to the Jamaican Moravian educator, Alexander Worthy Clerk (1820-1906), in addition to Regina Hesse (1832-1898), a pioneer educator and school principal who married Hermann Ludwig Rottmann, the first Basel missionary-trader and founder of the Basel Mission Trading Company in Christiansborg, Gold Coast. He then continued his education at
1798-563: The Lartehs refer to them as Nkran (ants). Nkran was later corrupted by the Danes to Akra, then to present-day Accra. Nkran in the Ga language is Gaga , thus they also started calling themselves Ga. Due to the sheer numbers of the Ga immigrants, the indigenous Lartehs relocated to the Akuapem ridge. Initially, Accra was not the most prominent trading centre; the trade hubs of the time were
1860-474: The Swedes) and their other forts to the British. The Netherlands was the last to sell out, in 1871. In 1873, after decades of tension between the British and Ashantis , the British captured Kumasi , destroying portions of the city. The British then captured Accra in 1874, and in 1877, at the end of the second Anglo-Asante War , Accra replaced Cape Coast as the capital of the British Gold Coast . This decision
1922-613: The church service, six Basel Mission pastors, including his fellow native Ga ministers, Jeremias Engmann (1840–20), W. A. Quartey who was later elected the third Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of the Gold Coast from 1925 to 1929 as well as Ludwig L. Richter and Samuel Wuta Ofei (1850–22) delivered eulogies. His remains were buried at the Basel Mission Cemetery in Accra and his epitaph reads, "native pastor and historian" . A commemorative plaque in
Liberation Day Monument - Misplaced Pages Continue
1984-407: The city began to expand to accommodate the new residents. Victoriaborg was formed in the late 19th century as an exclusively European residential neighbourhood, located to the east of the city limits of the time. The boundaries of Accra were further stretched in 1908, after a bubonic plague epidemic. This expansion entailed the creation of a native-only neighbourhood, intended to accommodate members of
2046-404: The city to maintain its infrastructure or improve public works. This did not change until the governorship of Sir Frederick Gordon Guggisberg during which period the three separate settlements (Osu, La and Jamestown) merged to become modern Accra. Guggisberg's administration laid out the present grid networked neighbourhoods of Tudu, Adabraka and Asylum Down. Among the achievements of Guggisberg
2108-643: The city, and an insulation effect can give rise to a local increase in air temperature of several degrees. This occurs most notably in the Accra Newtown sports complex areas. The administration of Accra occurs at two levels. Strategic initiatives, such as the urban transportation project, are coordinated between district authorities, while local administration is carried out by local government authorities, which are responsible for most local services, such as local planning, local roads and refuse collection within their area of jurisdiction. The former territory of
2170-407: The coast. The maximum wind speed record in Accra is 107.4 km/h (58 knots). Strong winds associated with thunderstorm activity often cause damage to property by removing roofing material. Several areas of Accra experience microclimatic effects. Low-profile drainage basins with a north–south orientation are not as well ventilated as those oriented east–west. Air is often trapped in pockets over
2232-439: The coastal areas. Drainage infrastructure is particularly at risk, which has profound implications for people's livelihoods, especially in informal settlements. Inadequate planning regulation and law enforcement, as well as perceived corruption in government processes, lack of communication across government departments and lack of concern or government co-ordination with respect to building codes are major impediments to progressing
2294-619: The development of Accra's drainage infrastructure, according to the Climate & Development Knowledge Network . As Accra is close to the equator , the daylight hours are practically uniform during the year. Relative humidity is generally high, varying from 65% in the midafternoon to 95% at night. The predominant wind direction in Accra is from the WSW to NNE sectors. Wind speeds normally range between 8 and 16 km/h. High wind gusts occur with thunderstorms , which generally pass in squalls along
2356-487: The entirety of Accra until the Ledzokuku, Krowor, La Dadekotopon, Ablekuma North, Ablekuma Central, Ablekuma West, Ayawaso East, Ayawaso North, Ayawaso Central, Ayawaso West, Okaikwei North, and Korley Kottey districts were carved out as separate municipal districts between 2008 and 2019. Accra Metropolitan District (City of Accra) The Accra Metropolitan District is one of the 13 local government districts that contains
2418-464: The historic centre and the primary central business district (CBD) of Accra. To promote efficiency in the administrative machinery and also meet the ever-pressing demands for amenities and essential services, the district is divided into the Ashiedu Keteke, Okaikoi South, and Ablekuma South sub-metropolitan districts. The Accra Metropolitan Assembly, which governs the City of Accra within the boundaries of
2480-608: The name Akan , one of a few words in which [g] corresponds to [k] in Akan. Ga also gave its name to the Ga districts surrounding Accra. The spelling Accra was given to Nkran by Europeans . An earlier spelling used by the Danes was Akra. The main Ga group known as the Tumgwa Were led by Ayi Kushie arrived by sea. When the Guan ( Lartehs ) on the coast saw them on their canoes at sea, they looked like ants. Hence,
2542-462: The native population as a means of relieving congestion problems in the overcrowded city centre. Adabraka was thus established to the north of the city. One of the most influential decisions in the history of the city was that of building the Accra-Kumasi railway in 1908. This was to connect Accra, the country's foremost port at that time, with Ghana's main cocoa -producing regions. In 1923,
Liberation Day Monument - Misplaced Pages Continue
2604-526: The ports at Ada and Prampram , along with the inland centres of Dodowa and Akuse . The Dutch built the nearby outposts of Ussher Fort while the British and the Swedes built James Fort and Christiansborg castles, respectively. By the 17th century, Portugal, France and Denmark, had constructed forts in the city. Britain gradually acquired the interests of all other countries beginning in 1851, when Denmark sold Christiansborg (which they had acquired from
2666-458: The railway was completed, and by 1924, cocoa was Ghana's largest export. The colonial era heavily influenced the shape that Accra took during this period. For example, the segregation of European and African neighbourhoods was mandated by law until 1923, and all new buildings were required to be built out of stone or concrete. Despite these regulations, European settlers in the Gold Coast were very hesitant to invest any large amount of money into
2728-482: The reduced Accra Metropolitan District (20.4 km ), which is the only district within the capital to be granted city status. This territory of 199.4 km contained 1,782,150 inhabitants at the 2021 census, and serves as the capital of Ghana, while the district under the jurisdiction of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly proper (20.4 km ) is distinguished from the rest of the capital as
2790-578: The sanctuary of the Ebenezer Presbyterian Church, Osu was dedicated in his memory. The church also renamed its chapel extension, the Carl Christian Reindorf Auditorium in recognition of his contributions to church, history and country. Reindorf's name also appears on a tablet in the chapel listing pioneering missionaries of Osu origin, in recognition of their contributions to formal education and
2852-512: The tall red mounds dotting Accra's hinterland were seen as microcosms of human community and as nodal points between the known world and the world of the dead. The Gas used the reference to the invasive species of dark-red swarming ants to connote the military prowess of the Gas and their ancient conquest of Guang speakers residing in the Accra Plains. The name Ga is actually a cognate of
2914-514: The veterans were killed. 5°33′N 0°11′W / 5.55°N 0.19°W / 5.55; -0.19 Accra Accra ( / ə ˈ k r ɑː / ; Ga : Ga or Gaga ; Twi : Nkran ; Ewe: Gɛ; Dagbani : Ankara ) is the capital and largest city of Ghana , located on the southern coast at the Gulf of Guinea , which is part of the Atlantic Ocean . As of 2021 census,
2976-403: The warmer months, which are winter and spring months. As a result, during the warmer months and particularly during the windy harmattan season, the city experiences a breezy "dry heat" that feels less warm than the "cooler" but more humid rainy season. As a coastal city, Accra is vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and sea level rise, with population growth putting increasing pressure on
3038-532: The welcome ceremonies for a visiting contingent from Lagos, Nigeria . He also engaged in large-scale coffee farming at a place he named " Hebron " near the hamlet of Adenkrebi close to Aburi . Reindorf taught as an assistant teacher of history at the Basel Mission Seminary at Akropong from November 1860 to April 1862. Other courses at the seminary included English , Biblical exegesis , theology , geography and classical languages . He
3100-677: The wounded soldiers during an 1870 local war between the Ga and Akwamu peoples. Four years earlier, he had performed a similar medical role in 1866 local war between the Dangmes of Ada and the Awuna Ewe people. In appreciation of his medical services in treating the wounded after the Ga-Akwamu war, he was the recipient of a citation of commendation from the Administrator (1867–1872) and later Governor (1879 -1880), H. T. Ussher during
3162-484: The years following World War II , the neighbourhoods of Ridge and Cantonments were planned as low-density developments for Europeans, while many rural migrants settled in neighbourhoods which had not yet been incorporated into Accra's municipal boundary, such as Nima and surrounding areas. Thus, the development of these neighbourhoods was unregulated by the government, creating a crowded and jumbled shanty-town landscape. Another area of Accra that took shape at this time
SECTION 50
#17327875255093224-558: Was a Danish merchant who came to the Gold Coast in 1739 and later became the colonial Governor, leaving the position in 1748. As a little child, he lived in ritual servitude at a fetish shrine , Digbla of Gbugla of his mother's Ga-Dangme traditional religion . After fleeing the shrine, he received his early education at the Danish language school at the Christiansborg Castle from 1842 to 1847. His schoolmates were
3286-420: Was carved out of the Accra Metropolitan District in 2018 with an administrative capital at Darkuman Kokompe . Carl Christian Reindorf Carl Christian Reindorf (31 May 1834 – 1 July 1917) was a Euro-African -born pioneer historian , teacher , farmer , trader , physician and pastor who worked with the Basel Mission on the Gold Coast . He wrote The History of the Gold Coast and Asante in
3348-618: Was carved out of the Ledzokuku-Krowor Municipal District in 2018. Its administrative capital is Nungua . La Dadekotopon Municipal District The La Dadekotopon Municipal District, with its administrative capital at La, was carved out of the Accra Metropolitan District in 2012. The Kotoka International Airport, Airport City, Accra Mall, and the US Embassy are located within the district, which covers an area of 32 km (12 sq mi). Other communities within this district include Cantonments, Labone, and Burma Camp. Ablekuma North Municipal District The Ablekuma North Municipal District
3410-429: Was consecrated a full-time catechist in 1857. In 1869, he was elected a presbyter and assistant superintendent of the Christiansborg Church , now the Ebenezer Presbyterian Church, Osu . On 13 October 1872 he was ordained a minister of the Basel mission. Given his knowledge of traditional healing through herbal medicine , gleaned from travels around the Gold Coast, Reindorf acted as the physician and surgeon to
3472-450: Was made because Accra had a drier climate relative to Cape Coast. Until this time, the settlement of Accra was confined between Ussher Fort to the east and the Korle Lagoon to the west. As the newly established Gold Coast's administrative functions were moved to Accra (1877), an influx of British colonial administrators and European settlers grew around the Christiansborg (modern Osu , Ministries, Ridge, Labone, and Cantonments) began, and
3534-448: Was never followed through, it illustrated the British vision of how Accra should develop. In 1948, Ghana remained a colony of Great Britain following World War II. The chief of Osu Alata, Nii Kobina Bonney III, had set up a boycott of European goods across the country due to the rise of prices for essential commodities. At the same time, veterans of the war were fighting for their benefits and promised pay. Unarmed ex-servicemen organized
3596-457: Was originally written in the Ga language . The English translation of the book was published in Basel in 1895. The inspiration or impetus for his magnum opus came from a strong sense of nationalism and the linguistic work that had been carried out on Twi oral traditions by the German philologist and fellow Basel missionary, Johann Gottlieb Christaller (1827–1895). Reindorf was also likely influenced by Christian Jacob Protten (1715–1769),
3658-423: Was the headmaster of the all boys' middle boarding school, the Salem School at Osu in 1873. As principal, he mentored several students such as Christian Holm, Peter M. Anteson and William A. Quartey, who all became teachers and catechists of the Basel mission. Carl Reindorf taught literacy in the Ga language and composed church hymns in Ga in 1856 and 1857. He established a boarding school at Mayera with
3720-460: Was the building of a bridge across the Korle Lagoon in 1923, which increased settlement at Korle Bu, Korle Gonno and Chokor, to the west of the lagoon. Guggisberg also oversaw the building of a major hospital (Korle-Bu) and secondary school (Achimota). Such improvements led to an increase in Accra's population due to the migration of rural dwellers into the city, and the immigration of increasing numbers of British businessmen and administrators. In
3782-416: Was the central business district (CBD). More administrative buildings were built on High Street, forming a massive judicial/administrative complex. Additionally, the expansion of the economy led to many more commercial buildings being built in the CBD. In 1944, Accra's city planner Maxwell Fry devised a town plan, which was revised in 1958 by B.D.W. Treavallion and Alan Flood. Although the Fry/Trevallion plan
SECTION 60
#17327875255093844-450: Was the only son of Carl Christian Reindorf Hackenburg (1806–1865), a soldier of half- Danish heritage, and Hannah Anowah Ama Cudjoe Reindorf (1811-1902), an ethnic Ga from Kinka, Dutch Accra. Carl Reindorf's father worked as a soldier at the Osu Danish garrison before he became a local agent for an English merchant, Joshua Ridley who eventually married the older Reindorf's sister, Anna. Reindorf's grandfather, Augustus Frederick Hackenburg
#508491