The history of Fort Amsterdam serves as a reminder of the difficulties of African-European interactions during the colonial era, largely being slavery.
As Ghana continues to preserve its rich culture, Fort Amsterdam stands as proof of the nation’s attractive history.
According to Joseph Kofi Kakraba, Caretaker and Tour Guide at the Fort, the Dutch took over the fort and turned it into a hub for the Transatlantic Slave Trade.
This was disclosed in an interview with GhanaWeb’s Etsey Atisu on the Ghana Month Series on People and Places.
Kakraba explained that the slaves believed in the power of ‘juju,’ which empowered them to rebel against their masters.
He noted that because of the juju power, they were chained all over their bodies so that they could not do anything.
“When the gun was fired at them, it wouldn’t penetrate their body because of the juju,” he stated.
Kakraba added that the slaves in the condemned cell had an iron gate with no exit.
The slaves faced harsh conditions, deprived of food and water, and those who died were thrown into the sea.
He explained that the fort’s rich history serves as a testament to the resilience of the Ghanaian people and the importance of preserving the nation’s cultural heritage.
MRA/AE
Source: www.ghanaweb.com
