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The Hidden Reasons Cape Coast Lost Its Capital to Accra

But what if I told you Accra wasn’t always Ghana’s capital

Ghana boasts Accra as its vibrant capital city with every slightest opportunity. For decades, the mantle belonged to Cape Coast, a city steeped in historical significance until the administrative capital was moved to Accra in 1877. So, what shocking event dethroned Cape Coast? Brace yourselves because it wasn’t war or a revolution – the colonialists and its apologists say it was the poor weather and sanitation conditions in Cape Coast, but I think the reason goes beyond what they stated.

In a speech before the House of Lords in London, the fourth Earl of Carnarvon, Henry H. M. Herbert, identified some concrete considerations for choosing a new capital city. The desire to move the capital included commercial concerns and sanitation.

They mainly argued that by the 19th century, a silent enemy began to threaten Cape Coast’s reign: climate. The city’s coastal location led to high humidity. Also, its poor sanitary conditions led to the prevalence of diseases, making it a breeding ground for illness, especially for the European colonial administrators.

How could a town serving as a settlement for many Europeans suddenly be described as unhealthy for living? Also, how could a commercial hub on the Gold Coast be doubted? The above factors and their timing made the decision to abandon the Cape Coast Castle quite curious. The selection of Accra, with its equally imperfect sanitation conditions, strengthened the speculation that relocation of the capital had more to do with official interest in penalizing Cape Coast. Let’s quickly plunge into these hidden reasons.

First, Cape Coast has, for many centuries, served as the principal centre for British operations on the Gold Coast. This situation resulted in the growth of educated men who were well-versed and informed about the agenda of the British colonialists. These men encouraged chiefs to question the power and jurisdiction of British authorities even before the Gold Coast was declared a colony in 1874. In order for the British to increase their power and jurisdiction with less opposition, they decided to move the administrative capital of their new colony to Accra, where there would be less opposition to their growth compared to Cape Coast.

Also, the British saw the seven Asafo companies in Cape Coast as a hindrance since they threatened their agenda. The Asafo companies in Cape Coast were so vibrant that they engaged in many squabbles and riots among themselves. Also, these Asafo companies were made up of educated men who questioned every action of the colonial authorities. The Asafo in Cape Coast were responsible for communal projects. There was Asafoi in Accra, but it was less vibrant than Cape Coast.

The above reasons prove that the British decision to move the capital to Accra went beyond the climate claim. It was a strategic decision to find a place that would be favourable for advancing their colonial agenda.

So, the next time you visit Cape Coast, remember its fascinating history as Ghana’s former capital. And while you’re exploring Accra’s bustling streets, take a moment to appreciate the twist of fate.

Sources

Nti, K. (2024). Maritime Culture and Everyday Life in Nineteenth- and Twentieth-Century Coastal GhanaA Social History of Cape Coast. Bloomington: Indiana University Press

Austin, G. (2005). Labour, land, and capital in Ghana: from slavery to free labour in Asante, 1807-1956 (Vol. 18). Boydell & Brewer.

Written By

Stephen Baidoo is a writer who loves to research about Ghana's past. He brings Ghana's history to life with each unearthed fact and forgotten narrative, transforming dry dates into passionate stories.

2 Comments

2 Comments

  1. Richard Addison

    April 2, 2024 at 2:07 pm

    Very impressive and historical. Keep it up bro

    • sbaidoo8

      April 3, 2024 at 7:16 pm

      Thank you.

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