Osu Castle → Independence Square → Black Star Gate → Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park → Old Parliament House → James Fort → Ussher Fort
Duration: ~5.5 hours
Transport: Fully air-conditioned vehicle
Guide: Professional historian & licensed tour guide
Experience Type: Heritage, Political History, Culture
Osu Castle (Christiansborg Castle)**
Your journey begins at Osu Castle, the fortress that once served as the administrative heart of colonial power in the Gold Coast.
Here, in 1948—following the shooting of Sergeant Adjetey, Corporal Attipoe, and Private Odartey Lamptey—British authorities detained the first wave of protesters and political agitators. Their arrest sparked nationwide unrest and ignited the independence movement.
This site later became the seat of government for Kwame Nkrumah and his administration.
Your guide will walk you through the courtyard, dungeons, and administrative wings, revealing how the castle evolved from a symbol of colonial rule to the beating heart of an emerging nation.
Independence Square & the Black Star Gate**
A short drive takes you to Independence Square, one of Africa’s grandest public monuments.
At its center rises the iconic Black Star Gate, commissioned and inspired by Kwame Nkrumah as a national symbol of self-determination and unity.
Your guide explains its powerful symbolism—Ghana’s black star guiding all of Africa toward freedom—and the 1957 celebrations that forever changed the continent.
Perfect photo stop.
Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park & Old Parliament House (Across the Street)**
Next, visit the serene and beautifully restored Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, the final resting place of Ghana’s first Prime Minister and President.
Walk through the fountains, gardens, and museum exhibits documenting Nkrumah’s rise from political prisoner to Pan-African icon.
Directly opposite stands the Old Parliament House, where many of Ghana’s first legislative battles for independence were fought. Your guide will highlight its role in the early formation of government and Ghana’s political identity.
James Fort – Nkrumah’s Brief First Imprisonment**
Your route continues to James Fort, a coastal fortress and former British military installation.
Here, Kwame Nkrumah was confined for a short period—about two weeks—immediately after his 1950 arrest for leading the Positive Action campaign.
You will see the exterior and the historic quarters of the old prison, where Nkrumah shared a group cell before being transferred to Ussher Fort.
Ussher Fort – The Political Prison of 1950–1951**
The climax of the tour takes you to Ussher Fort, one of Accra’s most significant historical monuments.
Built in 1649 and later used as a colonial prison, Ussher Fort became the primary place of detention for political activists—including Nkrumah himself.
Here, he spent most of his imprisonment (1950–1951), writing letters, directing the CPP, and planning the very revolution that would free the nation.
You will step into the narrow, harsh cell where he was held, gaining a powerful understanding of the conditions that shaped his leadership.
This is the emotional heart of the tour.
Drive Back or have lunch, included in tour, at a restaurant, overlooking beaches and cliffs – Reflection & Q&A with Your Guide**
Relax in your air-conditioned vehicle as your guide answers questions and helps you connect the sites into one continuous story:
How protest, sacrifice, imprisonment, and leadership led Ghana to become the first sub-Saharan African nation to gain independence.
Return to your pick-up point by approximately 16:00 PM.
You trace the exact path of Ghana’s independence struggle—from the 1948 protests, to Nkrumah’s imprisonment, to the symbols of national freedom.
You explore real cells and locations tied directly to the nation’s liberation.
You gain accurate, corrected historical insight—beyond common myths.
You travel comfortably in a fully air-conditioned vehicle with a professional guide.
You experience Ghana’s most important historical landmarks in just 5.5 powerful hours.