Princess Town

Princess Town, also known as ‘Prince’s Town’, and by its local name ‘Pokesu’ or ‘Bokaso’, is best known as the site of the elegant Brandenburg-built Fort Gross Friedrichsburg, constructed in 1683. The once-ruined Fort Gross Friedrichsburg has been partially restored, and it now serves as a tourist attraction and a rest house.

Princess Town has one of the most beautiful beaches in Ghana. Although its clean, pristine beach has won national acclaim, it remains largely undisturbed and very relaxing, since it is off the beaten track.

Princess Town is one of the fringe communities of Cape Three Points Forest Reserve.

GhanaWestCoastMap

 

  • What to Do
  • What to Eat and Where to Stay
  • Getting There
  • Fact File
  • Take a guided tour of Fort Gross Friedrichsburg, and hear the history of the Brandenburgers’ involvement in trade along the west coast. You will also hear about the legend of the ‘Black Prussian’ John Connie (also known as Jon Conny, John Conny or John Couny), a local merchant-chief who defended the fort against the Dutch and the British. Enjoy the fort’s unique Germanic exposed stone architecture.
  • Relax and enjoy sunbathing (but don’t swim: the waters are too dangerous for swimming) at the secluded Princess Town beach. Between July and February, you may catch a glimpse of whales or dolphins.
  • Indulge in a cultural tour of Princess Town, and engage in household activities like fufu pounding, yaka yaka preparation, and so on. If you are fortunate, you may witness the celebration of traditional ceremonies (mainly of the Ahanta and Nzema ethnic groups, which are in the majority in this community), such as baby naming, marriages, funerals, or the week-long Kundum Festival (held between September and October).
  • Enjoy a relaxed canoe ride on the Ehunli Lagoon. Keep your eyes open: you might see some monkeys and crocodiles on your trip!
  • Hike into the lush green Cape Three Points Forest Reserve, trekking through the forest trails to explore the rich biodiversity of this tropical rainforest. Enjoy the identification of the flora, and learn about the various medicinal plant applications. The best time to view the birds and monkeys is in the mornings and the late evenings.
  • Hike to Cape Three Points, to see the southernmost tip of Ghana, and enjoy amazing panoramic views atop the pretty 1925 lighthouse.
  • Hike or take a boat trip to the fishing village of Miamia, and visit the nearby Egyambra Crocodile Pond. For a fee, you can watch a traditional fetish priest call a crocodile out of the pond, with – surprisingly – a bottle of coke.
  • Take a walk to Akatekyi Crocodile Pond (on the Akpuho lagoon), which is open to visitors every day except Wednesday. Here too, you can watch a traditional fetish priest call a crocodile out of the pond, for a fee.
  • If you are a fishing enthusiast, you can join experienced local fishermen on a fishing trip in a wooden dugout canoe. A deep sea fishing expedition can also be arranged. Bring home a catch of the likes of barracuda, cassava fish, tuna and swordfish. End your day by eating a meal on the beach, made from the catch of the day.

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

Eat at your guesthouse, or book a meal at the fort. Alternatively, you can buy food from the local food vendors. The most popular local dishes in Princess Town are fufu (large dumplings made from pounded cassava and plantain), kenkey (steamed balls of fermented corn, wrapped in banana leaves), gari (roasted cassava grits), yaka yaka (flattened gari), atuku (a moist tapioca dish, also called akyeke). These starchy and grainy foods are mostly eaten with bare hands, together with delicious stews and soups. While you’re at it, try the fresh and smoked fish products that abound at Princess Town.

Fancy staying in the Governor’s Room?
Fort Gross Friedrichsburg can accommodate 10 people at a time, at a cost of GH¢ 5 per head. Princess Guesthouse offers rooms at a rate of GH¢7 per night.

Hotel/Lodge Fort Gross Friedrichsburg
Meals Prepared on request
Room Range (GH¢)*

Budget

Room Rates
(GH¢ per night)*
5


Hotel/Lodge Princess Guesthouse
Room Range (GH¢)*

Budget

Remark(s) Only accommodation provided, but food can be prepared on request
Room Rates
(GH¢ per night)*
7


*Prices as at September 2009

 

By private vehicle:
From Takoradi, follow the signs to Elubo. After Agona, continue driving towards Elubo. After 13 kilometres, you will find the turning to Princess Town on the left, before the GREL offices and the customs barrier. You will have to drive down an untarred road for about thirty minutes, before you reach Princess Town.

By public transport:
At Takoradi, go to West End (near Tarkwa station, by the STC bus terminal), or go the Goil petrol station at Kwame Nkrumah Roundabout (also known as ‘Agip’ roundabout). Take a minibus (‘called tro-tro’) to Agona. At Agona, there are regular tro-tros and taxis to Princess Town.

 

  1. Princess Town has a population of between 600 and 700 people, many of whom have migrated to the cities of Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana.
  2. Princess Town has a wealth of shellfish and seashells in its lagoon. However, these are not sold: they are considered sacred items.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Home | Sustainable Tourism | Touring |Useful Visitor Information | Gallery | Contact Us | Links | Photo Credits

© 2010 Ghana West Coast  |  All Rights Reserved
Website designed and Powered by DonFox Systems


SPONSORS AND PARTNERS 
SNV