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Tourist Attractions in the Region
Historical Towns
Winneba
Traditionally known as 'Simpa'; Winneba is 90km from Cape Coast. This historic settlement was once the country's port during the colonial era and still remains a fishing harbour today. In fact, if you are hoping to take great close-up pictures of the traditional fishing boats, the fisher folk repairing their nets and little stands full of brilliantly coloured fruits and vegetables, Winneba is the right place. There is also a beautiful beach west of the township, and hotel facilities in the area.
Make plans to join in celebrating "Aboakyir" Festival in May, or the unique festival of masqueraders in January every year.
Agona Swedru
20km north, off the Accra-Takoradi Highway at the Winneba Junction, is the bustling, commercial metropolis of Agona Swedru. A stroll down the main street reveals an endless variety of tiny shops and stores full of different types of merchandise. This town is especially well known for its lively brass band groups which perform during community picnics and other celebrations.
Kromantse/Abandze
These twin-fishing villages, 19km from Cape Coast on the Accra-Takoradi Highway, were once important trading centres for the English, and the Dutch. In Abandze, you can visit the site of Fort Amsterdam, which was built by the Dutch in the 17th century. The late, great, jazz musician, Louise Armstrong traced his ancestry to this settlement, after years of research.
Mankessim
Located 44km from Cape Coast, Mankessim was the birthplace of the "Fante" people in Ghana. The town's rich history is told in the form of statues and imaginative fold-art on the facade of the impressive "Posuban" shrine in the centre of town. If you are interested in learning more about this shrine, just ask to see Mr. J.F. Baiden, the Raconteur, or his assistant. He will tell you all about the art and statues and their meanings. The fee for his services is based on the size of the group.
Mankessim is a major commercial centre. Its market, the largest in the Region, sells items ranging from foodstuffs to clothes and traditional utensils to craft items. The best time to visit is on market days - Tuesday and Thursday.
If you are planning to stay on overnight there are various hotels to meet every pocket.
Saltpond
Indigenously known as "Akyemfo" this historic town is located about 30km from Cape Coast. It played an important role in Ghana's move toward independence.
A lively and colourful "Odambea" festival is celebrated in Saltpond on the last Saturday of August each year.
Posuban Shrines
A unique attraction, peculiar to the "Fante" communities along the southern part of Ghana is the "Posuban". "Posuban" is a combination of English and Fante words; "posu" meaning post and "ban" meaning fortification. They are the religious centres of the Fante military organization of warriors known as "ASAFO". "Sa" means war, and the suffice "Fo" combines to mean warriors.
"Posuban" shrines are fanciful buildings, lavishly decorated with fold-art, emblems, and a remarkable array of life-size statuettes. Each ornament unfolds the history, victories in battle and the general military experiences of the Fantes. These shrines are usually located on sites where an important enemy was slain or a famous battle was fought.
You may visit any Posuban to learn about its interesting history. It is customary to present libation (usually Peppermint Schnapps) and some token fee to the chief of the village or town where the Posuban is located.
These shrines abound in the Fanteland; there are about a hundred in the region. Apart form those we have mentioned, some other important Posuban are located in Anomabu, 9km east of Cape Coast; Gomoa Otsew, 90km west of Accra; Apam, 96km west of Accra.
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