The Cape Coast Tour

The Cape Coast Castle as recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site has become an important site in the remembrance of the history of slavery. On the first Pan African Festival celebrations in 1998, remains of 2 slaves from Jamaica and Barbados were exhumed and brought back to Ghana through the door of no return, now the door of return. This was a symbolic welcome to their descendants saying, they are always free to return to their roots where they were taken. The site has contributed to preserving our history as Africans and helped tell the African perspective to slavery.

It was initially built as trade settlements with warehouses for keeping goods and items exchanged. Later, the warehouses were converted to male and female dungeons where slaves were kept for a maximum of 3 months to be shipped to the “new world”. The Elmina castle is now recognised as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The Castle has served many purposes like Prisons, as a secondary school, and is now a historical site that connects guests to their heritage and roots.

It is the home for various animals, reptiles and birds that are dominantly nocturnal; active and usually seen at night. There is a 15 minute walk/hike to the canopy walkway, the main attraction of the visit. The walkway was built by 2 Canadians and 6 Ghanaians in 1994, about 40-50 metres high with a distance of about 350 metres. The walkway gives an aerial view of the forest and guest safety is assured as three of the Ghanaians who helped to build the walkway are still with the park and carry out frequent maintenance. This tour is recommended for those who would want to conquer their fear of heights.