![]() ![]() When Ghana became a republic in 1960, it became the residence of Ghana's first president, Kwame Nkrumah. In 1957, when Ghana became independent, with Queen Elizabeth II as head of state, the fort became Government House, the residence of the Governor-General. In 1950, the wooden upper floors were rebuilt according to the original Danish plans. It became the seat of government again in 1902. Within this period, it was used as a constabulary mess and later a psychiatric asylum. ![]() It was abandoned by the British colonial powers from 1890 to 1901. Later that century, the castle became the seat of the colonial government. An earthquake in 1862 destroyed most of the upper floors, which were rebuilt in wood. Britain experienced the same problems, but was keen to prevent illegal slave trading and France or Belgium strengthening in the area. After the slave trade had been abolished they were expensive to run and brought little benefit. Denmark had been considering selling these outposts for some time. In 1850, the British bought all of Denmark's Gold Coast possessions for £10,000 (between £850,000 and £1.5m in 2007), including Fort Christiansborg. In the 1770s, the Danes at Osu became involved in a conflict with Dutch-controlled Accra. The additional store rooms, garrison quarters, platforms, bastions and houses resulted in the castle being four times the size of the original fort. Extensions were made later that century, however, and structural improvements were made in 1824. The early 18th century was not kind to the fort, and in 1722 the English reported it to be in disrepair. In 1694, Assameni sold the fort back to Denmark-Norway for 50 marks of gold (400 troy ounces, worth £200,000 to £250,000 in 2008) but retained the keys, which are still in the ethnic group's possession to this day. Assameni, the Akwamu leader, occupied the fort for a year, trading with merchants from many nations. The Akwamu ethnic group occupied the fort in 1693 after overpowering the occupants (who were reduced by death and disease) while disguised as merchants. In 1685, Fort Christiansborg became the capital of the Gold Coast of Denmark-Norway, taking over from Fort Frederiksborg. Danish forces returned in February 1683 after purchasing the fort back from the Portuguese. The fort was abandoned on 29 August 1682 after the garrison mutinied and it became clear that Portuguese traders could not compete with the other Gold Coast powers. The Portuguese built a chapel and raised the bastions by three feet. The fort was named Fort São Francisco Xavier after the Catholic missionary Francis Xavier. ![]() Shortly after that, a Portuguese ship commanded by Julião de Campos Barreto visited the fort and agreed to purchase it. In 1679 or 1680, the fort's Greek assistant commander incited a mutiny to murder the commander. Denmark-Norway would occupy the fort for most of the next 200 years, with some interruptions, and for much of that time it served as the capital of the Gold Coast of Denmark-Norway. ![]() This is not to be confused with the slightly later royal palace in Copenhagen. Consequently, Denmark-Norway purchased adjoining land and expanded the building, naming it Fort Christiansborg after the reigning Danish King Christian V. The settlement at Osu was too small to store sufficient goods to compete with the others. Fort Crèvecœur was controlled by the Dutch and Fort James by the British. Osu Castle was located close to two other forts. Entrance to Fort Christiansborg after it was opened to the public in 2017. ![]()
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