Museums in Ghana and what they exhibit!

Ghana is a country that prides itself on its rich cultural heritage and traditional practices. One way that this is showcased is through its various museums located throughout the country. These museums serve as a portal into Ghana’s history, art and culture.

How many museums are in Ghana? 

There are around 28 museums in Ghana located in around the country. The most notable and must experience ones are the National Museum in Accra and the various museums dedicated to the colonial period and the slave trade. These museums can be found at a number of the forts and castles dotted along the coastline of Ghana such as  Elmina Castle and Cape Coast Castle . There are also a number of must see artifacts which are not housed in musuems but provide a deeper understanding into the history and culture of Ghana such as the The Okomfo Anokye Sword and stones located in Kumasi. 

Which museum is best for finding out about pre colonial times in Ghana?

The National Museum of Ghana, located in Accra, is the largest and oldest museum in the country. It was established in 1957, the same year Ghana gained independence, and it features a variety of exhibits that showcase the history of Ghana from pre-colonial times to the present day. The museum features exhibits on traditional Ghanaian art, clothing, music and dance, as well as a section dedicated to the slave trade and Ghana’s role in it. One of the most popular sections of the National Museum is the Asante Goldweights exhibit which showcases the miniature gold weights used as currency in ancient Ghana.

Museums located outside Accra and what they feature

Another notable museum is the Cape Coast Castle Museum which is located in the coastal town of Cape Coast. The museum was once a slave-holding dungeon and has now been transformed into a museum dedicated to educating visitors about Ghana’s colonial history and the slave trade. The castle offers an opportunity for visitors to imagine the horrors of the trans-Atlantic slave trade and serves as a poignant reminder of the country’s troubled past.

Ghana museums dedicated to prominent leaders and figures

Other museums in Ghana feature exhibits specific to certain topics. For example, the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park and Mausoleum and Du Bois Memorial Centre for Pan-African Culture focus on the lives and legacies of two of Ghana’s most prominent Pan-Africanists. The W.E.B. DuBois Museum in Accra is also noteworthy for its vast collection of documents and artifacts, showcasing the life and contributions of the famous Pan-Africanist and scholar.

Overall, Ghana’s museums serve as important spaces for educating visitors on the country’s rich history, traditions and culture. These museums allow visitors to appreciate and learn from Ghana’s past, while also highlighting the beauty of its present