Axim

Axim is home to sub-Saharan Africa’s second oldest fort, and its main attractions are its beaches, its rich history and culture, and the architectural diversity of its buildings.

Axim is the largest town on the coast west of Takoradi, located almost halfway between Elubo and Takoradi. Distinguishable by a rocky beach, this settlement of approximately ten thousand people is situated in a tranquil and sheltered natural bay.

With its tarred roads, good infrastructure and utilities, Axim is most probably one of the locations on the west coast where one can enjoy nature without giving up convenience.  

Axim, like Dixcove, was formed from two settlements known as ‘Upper Town’ and ‘Lower Town’. The townspeople are mainly fishermen and farmers. In the 16th century, Axim was one of the busiest trading posts on the West African coast. History has it that Axim was a major port for the export of mainly timber products and gold. Many companies established their offices in Axim and engaged in brisk commercial activities. Axim however, lost its glamour when the Takoradi and later the Tema harbours were constructed. Currently, although Axim seems like a sleepy town, it has a large vibrant fishing community that produces fresh and dry fish for sale in the urban centres. Rubber, palm and timber plantations also abound in the area.

Architecturally and historically, one of Axim’s most interesting features is the triangular-shaped Fort San Antonio, sub-Saharan Africa’s second oldest fort, constructed by the Portuguese in 1515, after Fort St. Jago in Elmina. San Antonio was conquered by the Dutch in 1642 and its control exchanged hands many times, ending with the British. Today, the structure is fairly well preserved.

Other interesting colonial-era buildings include the popular Beachcomber Bar, the old buildings of the former Public Works Department, the dilapidated Paa Grant House, the old Police Station building, the car park, and the 1920s Quandahor Building.

To the west of Fort San Antonio, the wave-lashed Boboewusi Island (also known as ‘Bobo Yesi’) lies tucked away in the distance off the coast, housing the lighthouse that thrusts proudly towards the sky out of the surrounding reefs. Further westwards, beyond the settlement of Awunakrom, the coconut-tree-lined beach offers interesting scenery. There lies a typical African village, whose dotted thatched huts, fisherfolk, fish-grilling ovens with wood fires, and pirogues paddling up the Ankobra River, will capture the interest of even the most tired and jaded visitor.

For a glimpse into traditional religious practices at Axim, you may see libation being poured to Nana Bralua, a deity of Upper Town, who lives in the large softwood tree that grows between the sea and the football ground in front of Fort San Antonio. Lower Town, in turn, has an island as its deity.

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  • What to Do
  • What to Eat and Where to Stay
  • Getting There
  • Fact File
  • Enjoy a guided tour of Fort San Antonio, courtesy of the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board, the legal custodian of Ghana’s material cultural heritage. The Fort is open to the public daily, between 7:30 am and 6:30 pm.
  • With the help of a trained local guide, take a walking or cycling tour of the lower and upper townships, reliving their colonial and commercial past, and observing the present lifestyle of the townspeople, who belong to the Nzema and Evalue ethnic groups.
  • Tour Boboewusi Island and the lighthouse run by the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority. When you climb to the top of the lighthouse, you will discover a fantastic view of the countryside, long stretches of sandy beach, and the exuberance of Axim township. Afterwards, you may have a picnic on the island’s beautifully landscaped grounds.
  • Take a canoe trip up the Ankobra River.
  • Join experienced local fishermen on their sea fishing expeditions in wooden dugout canoes with outboard motors. The fishermen go to sea every day except Tuesday (when tradition forbids them from doing so). End your day by eating a meal on the beach, made from the catch of the day.
  • You can view traditional pomp and pageantry during the week-long Kundum Festival that takes place between September and October of each year.  
  • Enjoy sunbathing and swimming at Axim’s pristine sandy beaches. It is not advisable to swim in Axim Town, as the waters are dangerous, but if you want to swim, you can do so at one of the beach resorts out of town.
  • You might see whales and dolphins at Axim Beach, between October and April of every year. Sea turtles are regularly sighted between August and March (especially during the peak period of October to December).
  • Hike to the idyllic village beyond Awunakrom.

* To book a place on any tour, please register with the Town Tourism Development Committee.

Eat at your home stay or hotel, or buy a dish from one of the local food vendors. Eat local dishes like
fufu (large dumplings made from pounded cassava and plantain) and kenkey (steamed balls of fermented corn, wrapped in banana leaves), served with delicious indigenous soups and stews. Be sure to sample the fresh and dry fish!

Axim offers numerous lodging opportunities. If you are interested in a home stay, you can ask your tour guide for details.

 

Hotel/Lodge Ankobra Beach, www.ghana-resorts.com, Axim
 
Meals & Drinks Price Range (GH¢)*
Breakfast  
Lunch/Dinner (Continental)        6.50 – 26.00
Lunch/Dinner (Ghanaian) 8.50 – 12.00
Drinks/Beverages 2.00 – 30.00
Remark(s) Breakfast part of residential guest package, but can be prepared for non-residential  guests
Room Range Single, double and family chalets; and bungalows
Room Rates
(GH¢ per night)*
80 – 208 (15 for volunteers and students)

Hotel/Lodge Axim Beach Hotel, www.aximbeach.com, Axim Beach
 
Meals & Drinks Price Range (GH¢)*
Breakfast 5.00 – 6.00
Lunch/Dinner (Continental)        9.00 – 30.00
Lunch/Dinner (Ghanaian) 9.00 - 30.00
Drinks/Beverages 2.00 - 65.00
Room Range From budget rooms to deluxe chalets
Room Rates
(GH¢ per night)*
15 - 347 (discounts for volunteers)

Hotel/Lodge

Lou Moon Lodge, www.loumoon-lodge.com, Axim Beach

 
Meals & Drinks Price Range (GH¢)*
Breakfast

3.0 – 6.50

Lunch/Dinner (Continental)        7.00 – 25.00
Lunch/Dinner (Ghanaian) 7.00 – 25.00
Drinks/Beverages 1.50 – 60.00
Room Range Hillside, bay family, and island executive rooms
Room Rates
(GH¢ per night)*
124 - 248

Hotel/Lodge

Monte Carlo Hotel

Remarks Only accommodation  available
Room Range
(GH¢ per night)*
Budget
Room Rates
(GH¢ per night)*
12 - 14

 

Axim is 270 km from Accra, and about 70 km from Takoradi.

By private vehicle:
From Takoradi, follow the signs to Elubo. After Agona, continue driving towards Elubo. After close to an hour-and-a-half of driving, you will reach Axim junction. Turn left at Axim junction, and drive straight into Axim.

By public transport:
At Takoradi, go to Axim Station, near the STC bus terminal, and board a minibus (called a ‘tro-tro’) heading to Axim. The tro-tro will take you all the way to the town centre (unless you want to get off along the way). Taxis are also available.

 

  1. It took the Portuguese twelve years to build Fort San Antonio.
  2. The first clock in Ghana was brought to Fort San Antonio by the Portuguese.
  3. There are three islands off the coast of Axim.
  4. At Lower Town, the land stretching into the sea is now known as Axim Beach, and at Upper Town, the land stretching into the sea is now known as Ankobra Beach, behind which flows the Ankobra River.
  5. The Axim lighthouse was built in 1925, in the same year as the second lighthouse at Cape Three Points.

 

 

 

 

 

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