Lecture: Architecture of Enslavement, Colonialism and Independence: The Story of James Fort in Accra

Accra’s James Fort is an iconic monument for Ghana and modern Africa. This lecture explores the fort’s evolution -from its role as a trading post in the early European-African encounters, through its significance during the trans-Atlantic trade and enslavement, to its later use as a modern colonial prison in the post-independence era. It also explores its connection to Ghana’s liberation movement, particularly its role in imprisoning Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and other political leaders during their resistance to British rule. Today, this monument represents the resilience, talent and creative potential of a sustainable future for Ghana and its youthful population.

Lecture by: Elsie Owusu OBE; Ghanaian-British architect and urban designer. She is principal of Elsie Owusu Architects, with projects in UK, Nigeria and Ghana. Talk given to Gresham College on 27 March 2025 https://www.gresham.ac.uk/watch-now/james-fort?mc_cid=71e42fe509&mc_eid=ca0f8caf85