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History of Accra Timeline

(c. 1400s – Present)

Accra, the capital and largest city of Ghana, has a rich history spanning centuries. Founded by the Ga people in the 15th century, it grew as a trading hub, became a center of British colonial administration on the Gold Coast, played a pivotal role in Ghana's struggle for independence, and developed into a major West African metropolis. Less

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Early History

Kingdom of Accra rules from Ayawaso

1400

By the 15th century, the kingdom of Accra ruled the area from its capital at Ayawaso, establishing the foundations of the settlement that would later grow into modern Accra.

Portuguese fort destroyed by local inhabitants

1576

In 1576, a Portuguese fort was destroyed by the local inhabitants. Trade between Europeans and the people of Accra was afterwards conducted on the beaches.

European powers build coastal forts

1600 - 1699

The Dutch built Fort Crèvecœur while the British and the Swedes built James Fort and Christiansborg castles, respectively, during the 17th century, establishing rival trading posts around which settlements would later merge into Accra.

Accra becomes a regional power

1646

By 1646 the kingdom of Accra had become a regional power, bolstered by its participation in European trade along the coast.

War with Larteh begins after a dispute

1646

A dispute in 1646 escalated to war when Accra invaded Larteh, reflecting the kingdom's growing military ambitions in the region.

Image source: Accra

War with Larteh begins after a dispute

Akwamu attack on Accra under Ansa Sasraku

1677

In 1677 Akwamuhene Ansa Sasraku, using the circumcision of a visiting Akwamu prince as pretext, attacked Accra, beginning a period of Akwamu dominance over the area.

Image source: Akwamu Empire

Akwamu attack on Accra under Ansa Sasraku

Ansa Sasraku burns Osu and Small Accra

1681

Ansa Sasraku returned in 1681, burning Osu town and Small Accra and chasing Ofori to exile in Fetu, cementing Akwamu control over the region.

Colonial Era

Victoriaborg formed as European residential neighbourhood

1800 - 1899

Victoriaborg was formed in the 19th century as an exclusively European residential neighbourhood, located to the east of the city limits of the time.

Britain acquires Danish forts including Christiansborg

1851

Beginning in 1851, Britain gradually acquired the interests of all other countries when Denmark sold Christiansborg (which it had acquired from the Swedes) and its other forts to the British.

Image source: Osu Castle

Britain acquires Danish forts including Christiansborg

Netherlands sells its forts to Britain

1871

The Netherlands was the last European power to sell out its interests on the Gold Coast, transferring its possessions to Britain in 1871.

British capture Kumasi during Anglo-Asante tensions

1873

In 1873, after decades of tension between the British and Ashantis, the British captured Kumasi, destroying portions of the city.

British capture Accra

1874

The British then captured Accra in 1874, consolidating colonial control over the settlement ahead of its elevation to capital status.

Accra becomes capital of the British Gold Coast

1877

In 1877, at the end of the second Anglo-Asante War, Accra replaced Cape Coast as the capital of the British Gold Coast, serving in this role until 1957.

Image source: Gold Coast (British colony)

Accra becomes capital of the British Gold Coast

City expands around Christiansborg

1877

As administrative functions moved to Accra in 1877, an influx of British colonial administrators and European settlers grew around Christiansborg (later Osu, Ministries, Ridge, Labone, and Cantonments), and the city began expanding to accommodate new residents.

Boundaries stretched after bubonic plague epidemic

1908

The boundaries of Accra were further stretched in 1908 after a bubonic plague epidemic, prompting urban changes and expansion.

Guggisberg builds bridge across Korle Lagoon

1923

Among the achievements of Governor Gordon Guggisberg 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.

Ghana remains a British colony after World War II

1948

In 1948, Ghana remained a colony of Great Britain following World War II, with growing nationalist movements pushing for independence in the years that followed.

Culture and Society

Grand Orange Lodge of Ghana established

1918

In 1918, the Grand Orange Lodge of Ghana was established in Accra to oversee and govern the local Ghanaian Orange Lodges.

Essien elected President of Imperial Orange Council

1994

In 1994, Emmanuel Aboki Essien, a high-up member within the Grand Orange Lodge of Ghana in Accra, was elected President of the Imperial Orange Council, the governing body of the worldwide Orange Order.

Education and Culture

Achimota School founded

1924 - 1927

Achimota School, also referred to as 'Motown', was founded in 1924 and opened in 1927 on the outskirts of Accra, becoming one of the country's leading public secondary schools.

Image source: Achimota School

Achimota School founded

Ghana International School founded in Cantonments

1955

Ghana International School (GIS), a private non-profit A-Level school for children aged 3–18, was founded in 1955 and is located in Accra's Cantonments.

Lincoln Community School established

1968

Abelemkpe became the home of Lincoln Community School, a private, non-profit International Baccalaureate (IB) school for students aged 3–18, established in 1968.

Transition rate to senior high school rises

1990 - 2001

The transition rate between junior high and senior high school in Accra increased from 30% in 1990 to 50% in 2001, reflecting improvements in educational access.

Pre-school enrolment data recorded

2001

In 2001, there were 7,923 children (3,893 girls and 4,030 boys) enrolled in pre-schools in Accra.

Junior high enrolment reaches 61,080 pupils

2001 - 2002

In the 2001/2002 academic year, 61,080 pupils had enrolled in Accra, representing 57.17% of the 129,467 school-age 12-to-14-year-olds.

High pre-school and primary enrolment rates achieved

2010

By 2010, the enrolment rate at pre-school in Accra was 98%, primary school enrolment was 95%, junior high school enrolment was 95%, and senior high school enrolment reached 95%, with student numbers having grown by 23,102 between 1990 and 2005.

Image source: Education in Ghana

High pre-school and primary enrolment rates achieved

UNESCO names Accra World Book Capital 2023

Oct 2022

In October 2022, Accra was named by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as World Book Capital for 2023, recognizing its vibrant literary culture.

Image source: World Book Capital

UNESCO names Accra World Book Capital 2023

Post-Independence Development

Nkrumah becomes Prime Minister and plans Accra's development

1957

After Kwame Nkrumah became Ghana's first Prime Minister in 1957 following independence, he created his own plan for Accra's development, guiding the city's transition into a modern metropolis.

Image source: Kwame Nkrumah

Nkrumah becomes Prime Minister and plans Accra's development

Rapid industrialization of Accra

1960 - 1970

The period between 1960 and 1970 saw more rapid industrialization and expansion in Accra's manufacturing and commercial sectors.

Port of Tema opens for deepwater shipping

1961

Instead of developing Accra's harbour, the Port of Tema, about 29 km to the east along the Atlantic coast, was developed for deepwater shipping to and from Ghana as it can accommodate larger ships; it opened in 1961.

Modern Accra

World Bank estimates Accra economy at US$3 billion

2008

In 2008, the World Bank estimated that Accra's economy constituted around US$3 billion of Ghana's total gross domestic product (GDP), underscoring its role as the country's economic engine.

Tourism brings over a million international arrivals

2011

Tourism in Ghana accounted for 1,087,000 international tourist arrivals in 2011, with many visitors passing through or staying in the capital, Accra.

Airport expansion plan still under review

2020

In 2020, plans for additional runways at Kotoka International Airport were still under review, as an alternative to constructing an entirely new international airport for the growing metropolis.

Accra designated a Gamma − global city

2020

In 2020, the Globalization and World Cities Research Network think tank designated Accra as a 'Gamma −' level global city, indicating a growing level of international influence and connectedness.

2021 census records population figures

2021

As of the 2021 census, the Accra Metropolitan District (20.4 km2) had a population of 284,124, while the larger Greater Accra Region had a population of 5.46 million; the wider pre-2008 territory of 199.4 km2 contained 1,782,150 inhabitants.

Environment

Greenspace study highlights mammal biodiversity

2018

A 2018 study of greenspaces in Accra found that the ones that do exist are important for mammal biodiversity in the city.

Air quality found to exceed health standards

2021

A 2021 review by the Environmental Protection Agency in Ghana found that pollution levels in Accra were exceeding national and international standards for health.

Study finds demand for urban green spaces

2021

A 2021 study of low income communities in Accra found increasing concern and desire among these communities for urban green spaces for recreation and health.

Climate change documentary premieres in Accra

Oct 14, 2022

On October 14, 2022, a documentary addressing the impacts of climate change premiered in Accra, highlighting the city's growing engagement with environmental issues.

Key Facts

  1. Accra was founded by the Ga people around the 15th century and its name derives from the Akan word 'nkran' meaning ants, referring to the numerous anthills in the area.
  2. The British captured Accra in 1874 and made it the capital of the Gold Coast colony, replacing Cape Coast.
  3. Accra was a central location for Ghana's independence movement, led by Kwame Nkrumah, with Ghana becoming the first sub-Saharan African nation to gain independence from Britain in 1957.
  4. Key landmarks like James Fort (built 1673) and Christiansborg Castle (Osu Castle) reflect Accra's colonial history and served as centers of European trade and administration.
  5. Today, Accra is one of West Africa's most vibrant economic and cultural hubs, hosting institutions such as the University of Ghana (established 1948) and Kotoka International Airport.

Source

This History of Accra timeline was generated with the help of AI, using information found on the internet.

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