FORT PRINZENSTEIN, KETA

Fort Prinzenstein, is a fort located in Keta in the volta region of Ghana which was used for slave trade. It was initially build by Danish traders in 1784 for defensive purposes in a war against the Anlo's to keep the area safe from colonial powers. Prinzenstein is among the four structures build by the Danish. The fort played an important role in the slave trade which involved Europeans in west Africa. It also served an active purpose in the trade of imported and exported goods such gold, iron rods, textiles etc.

In 1783 when the Anlo's pillaged the local Danish Agent, the Governor of Christiansborg raised an army drawn from people with towards the Anlo; the Ada, Akwapim, Ga and Krobo. The Danes were thus able to defeat the Anlo's and impose a treaty in 1784, which made them build the fort and obliged the Anlo;s to trade with them.

Up until 1803, the fort was used as a dungeon for slaves awaiting transportation to the caribbean. In 1850 the fort was sold to the britsih, that was when Keta become a british colony. The fort was used as a prison for some period and later was partially destroyed by the sea in 1980.