Travel & Lifestyle

Sankana Caves, a secret refuge for slave raiders

The Sankana Caves, located in the Upper West Region of Ghana, were used as hiding places for children, women, and the elderly during the era of the transatlantic slave trade.

This network of scenic caves stretches across an area of 4 kilometres.

In the 18th century, slave raiders would attack villages to capture individuals and sell them at slave markets.

In response, the people of Bulenga and Sankana took refuge in the caves, fighting back against the invaders to protect themselves.

In an interview with Joy News, which was monitored by GhanaWeb on Sunday, March 30, 2025, retired educationist and Paramount Chief Naa Pagranige Saakoe Mornah III recounted how these caves served as a safe haven for residents during the transatlantic slave trade.

“We had caves where the elderly were hidden for safety, and the able-bodied individuals would fight the slave raiders,” he said. “We were told that this very place, the Sankana Caves, was used by our people as a hideout to fight off slave raiders.

“At first glance, you might think the cave is a small hole, but once inside, the space expands to accommodate more people. It was believed that even if you had a thousand people, everyone could enter and the cave would stretch to give more room for others,” he explained.

Despite its rich historical significance, the Sankana Caves have since not been fully developed as a tourist attraction site.

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

Ogyem Solomon

Solomon Ogyem – Media Entrepreneur | Journalist | Brand Ambassador Solomon Ogyem is a dynamic Ghanaian journalist and media entrepreneur currently based in South Africa. With a solid foundation in journalism, Solomon is a graduate of the OTEC School of Journalism and Communication Studies in Ghana and Oxbridge Academy in South Africa. He began his career as a reporter at OTEC 102.9 MHz in Kumasi, where he honed his skills in news reporting, community storytelling, and radio broadcasting. His passion for storytelling and dedication to the media industry led him to establish Press MltiMedia Company in South Africa—a growing platform committed to authentic African narratives and multimedia journalism. Solomon is the founder and owner of Thepressradio.com, a news portal focused on delivering credible, timely, and engaging stories across Ghana and Africa. He also owns Press Global Tickets, a service-driven venture in the travel and logistics space, providing reliable ticketing services. He previously owned two notable websites—Ghanaweb.mobi and ShowbizAfrica.net—both of which contributed to entertainment and socio-political discussions within Ghana’s digital space. With a diverse background in media, digital journalism, and business, Solomon Ogyem is dedicated to telling impactful African stories, empowering youth through media, and building cross-continental media partnerships.

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