Stories and facts

Fort Vernon, a military structure built to support the Atlantic slave trade, has a complex and troubled history. Constructed by the Royal African Company in 1742, the fort was located near Prampram, a town in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana.

The structure, made from rough stones and swish, was erected with the intent of playing a pivotal role in the transatlantic slave trade. However, the fort's initial construction did not last long; the Danes destroyed it before 1783.

In 1806, the British undertook the task of rebuilding Fort Vernon. Unfortunately, the fort began to deteriorate soon after its reconstruction and was abandoned around 1816.

It saw a brief reoccupation by the British in 1831 but was once again deserted by 1844. Over time, the fort fell into ruin, a silent testament to its turbulent past.

The historical significance of Fort Vernon, particularly its role in the slave trade and its representation of European colonial and economic influence in West Africa, was recognized on a global scale when it was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979.

This designation, shared with several other forts and castles in Ghana, underscores the fort's importance as a symbol of a dark chapter in human history.

Explore the various forts in Ghana below.