Fort William, Ghana
| Company type | Fortress |
|---|---|
| Industry | Historical site / Tourism |
| Founded | 1753 |
| Founder | British (African Company of Merchants) |
| Headquarters | Anomabu , Ghana |
| Products | Historical fortress, tourist attraction |
Fort William is a fortress located in Anomabu, within Ghana's Central Region. Initially known as Fort Anomabo, it received its current name during the 1830s when commander Brodie Cruickshank expanded the structure by adding an additional floor and dedicated it to King William IV.
The British erected the fort in 1753 after thwarting a French effort to establish a presence there. This construction replaced two earlier strongholds on the same site: a Dutch fort built in 1640 and Fort Charles, constructed by the English in 1674. Fort Charles was deserted and fell into ruin by 1730. Alongside other castles and forts in Ghana, Fort William was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage List site in 1979 due to its historical importance related to the Atlantic slave trade.
Predecessor Fortifications
The earliest fortification at Anomabu was established by the Dutch in 1640 under the leadership of Commander Arent Jacobsz van der Graeff. Control of this outpost shifted several times: it was captured by the Swedes in 1653, taken over by Danish forces in 1657, and reclaimed by the Dutch around 1660. After the conclusion of the second Anglo-Dutch war and through the terms of the 1667 (Treaty of Breda), the English gained control over Anomabu.
By approximately 1672 or 1673, the English had built Fort Charles—named in honor of Charles II of England—on what is now the location of Fort William. At that time, a local chief, possibly Eno or Eno Besi, used the former Dutch lodge as his residence. Eventually, the English abandoned Fort Charles to concentrate their efforts on Fort Carolusburg situated at Cape Coast.
Base for "Ten Percenters"
The year 1698 saw the Royal African Company authorize independent ship captains to operate within its monopoly territories upon payment of a 10% "affiliation fee." This arrangement gave rise to numerous "Ten Percenters" trading at British forts, often surpassing company vessels in number. Anomabu emerged as a central point for these traders until this licensing system ended in 1712, during which time significant numbers of enslaved individuals were exported.
In 1717, Engelgraaf Roberts, Dutch director-general at Elmina, reported an English captain’s statement revealing that between January 1702 and August 1708, over 30,141 enslaved people had been shipped from Anomabu to destinations such as Barbados and Jamaica. This figure did not include additional transports to islands like Nevis, Montserrat, and St. Christopher, which further amplified the total volume. Approximately one-third of these enslaved individuals originated from Anomabu alone.
Anomabu Castle / Fort William
Following British prevention of a French attempt to build at Anomabu in 1753, the African Company of Merchants—successor to the Royal African Company—initiated construction of Anomabu Castle. The fort’s design was created by military engineer John Apperly, who also served as its inaugural governor.
After Apperly’s death in 1756, Irishman Richard Brew oversaw completion of the fort by 1760. The fortress functioned as Britain’s primary slave trade center on the Gold Coast until abolition took effect in 1807.
During the nineteenth century, commander Brodie Cruickshank enhanced the main building by adding an upper floor and renamed it Fort William in honor of King William IV (reigned 1830–1837).
Today, Anomabu is a prominent tourist attraction where visitors can explore the well-maintained ruins of Fort William.