Kumasi Fort - Ghana Armed Forces Museum
Kumasi Fort - Ghana Armed Forces Museum
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4.0
62 reviews
Excellent
18
Very good
30
Average
10
Poor
3
Terrible
1
michaelsontheimer
Berlin, Germany68 contributions
Nov 2021 • Family
It’s a lot of military history but you also learn something about the general history of Ghana. We had a truly brilliant guide a younger woman who spoke English very well. Very interesting were the cells in which the British held Ashantis who fought for their freedom. Tiny dark holes.
Written 28 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PietroMorrizio
Accra, Ghana700 contributions
Dec 2011 • Couples
As I am a major military enthusiast, especially WW1 & WW2, I was really looking forward to visiting the Ghana Armed Forces museum, located at the Kumasi Fort in the Ashanti Region's capital, Kumasi.
I had been to Kumasi once before, but went on a Sunday, so I was unaware that the museum closed on that date (a note to visitors !). So on this trip, I was visiting on the Thursday afternoon after flying up from Accra.
The fort is on Stewart Avenue, which is in the Adum district of Kumasi (ie, what is the CBD). It is very close to such Kumasi attractions as the historic clock tower (unique to Ghana), and the WW1 Memorial.
In terms of preservation, it's pretty hard to beat the Kumasi fort, and it has a rich history, despite it being the last fort built in Ghana (1896), as the British garrison was put under siege by the local Ashantis in the early 20th century. It has since become the Ghana Armed Forces museum, which is a fascinating exhibit of a rarely explored military history of the Gold Coast Regiments of the World Wars, and of the Ghana Armed Forces since independence.
Some of the best exhibits can be seen from the roadside - there is an Aeromacchi jet from the Ghana Air Force, an M5 Stuart tank, plus a naval gun turret, an anti-aircraft gun, and an old military helicopter.
Inside, I was most interested by the captured weaponry, which is particularly from the campaigns against the Italians in Abyssinia in WW2, & in Burma against the Japanese (again in WW2). You will find captured light machine guns from both the Italians & Japanese, plus rifles, swords & bayonets. There are also radio kits, maps, and weapons from the Gold Coast Regiments that fought in these battles.
There are three seperate wings of the museum that are specific to the modern-day arms of service - the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Furthermore, there is a room that has probably a hundred photographs of the campaigns from WW1 & WW2.
There are also some items from Imperial Germany (mostly from Togoland), and traditional tribal items.
One room has a display of the dinner jackets for Lt General Ankrah, & Lt General Afrifa, who each took their turn in leading Ghana after independence after they overthrew Dr Kwame Nkrumah in 1966. History hasn't been kind to these two officers, and so it is rather interesting to see an exhibit for two officers that in the modern-day psyche of Ghanaians are vilified for the coup they led (in spite of the desperate conditions of the country at the time).
Furthermore, the Ghana Armed Forces museum is one of the few places that does sell some books & souvenirs. Although not a massive range, the fort at least takes steps to try to cater for the tourist market.
I had been to Kumasi once before, but went on a Sunday, so I was unaware that the museum closed on that date (a note to visitors !). So on this trip, I was visiting on the Thursday afternoon after flying up from Accra.
The fort is on Stewart Avenue, which is in the Adum district of Kumasi (ie, what is the CBD). It is very close to such Kumasi attractions as the historic clock tower (unique to Ghana), and the WW1 Memorial.
In terms of preservation, it's pretty hard to beat the Kumasi fort, and it has a rich history, despite it being the last fort built in Ghana (1896), as the British garrison was put under siege by the local Ashantis in the early 20th century. It has since become the Ghana Armed Forces museum, which is a fascinating exhibit of a rarely explored military history of the Gold Coast Regiments of the World Wars, and of the Ghana Armed Forces since independence.
Some of the best exhibits can be seen from the roadside - there is an Aeromacchi jet from the Ghana Air Force, an M5 Stuart tank, plus a naval gun turret, an anti-aircraft gun, and an old military helicopter.
Inside, I was most interested by the captured weaponry, which is particularly from the campaigns against the Italians in Abyssinia in WW2, & in Burma against the Japanese (again in WW2). You will find captured light machine guns from both the Italians & Japanese, plus rifles, swords & bayonets. There are also radio kits, maps, and weapons from the Gold Coast Regiments that fought in these battles.
There are three seperate wings of the museum that are specific to the modern-day arms of service - the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Furthermore, there is a room that has probably a hundred photographs of the campaigns from WW1 & WW2.
There are also some items from Imperial Germany (mostly from Togoland), and traditional tribal items.
One room has a display of the dinner jackets for Lt General Ankrah, & Lt General Afrifa, who each took their turn in leading Ghana after independence after they overthrew Dr Kwame Nkrumah in 1966. History hasn't been kind to these two officers, and so it is rather interesting to see an exhibit for two officers that in the modern-day psyche of Ghanaians are vilified for the coup they led (in spite of the desperate conditions of the country at the time).
Furthermore, the Ghana Armed Forces museum is one of the few places that does sell some books & souvenirs. Although not a massive range, the fort at least takes steps to try to cater for the tourist market.
Written 9 April 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BalafonBeat
Phnom Penh, Cambodia63 contributions
Nov 2015 • Friends
Amazing site, heavy with history of the Ashanti ethnic group, British colonization of Central Ghana and the Ghanaian armed forces from its inception to today. From service in the British Army in WWI to U.N. peace keeping operations in the 21st century. The guides are very knowledgeable and the exhibits fascinating.
Written 14 August 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KatherineLMacG
Colombo, Sri Lanka25 contributions
June 2014 • Solo
I arrived early in the morning so I was on a tour by myself. The guide was very pleasant and knew a lot about each piece - he had an answer for each of the questions. The tour takes just over an hour and adds a lot to the museum experience with stories and information. There's a clothing market just behind the museum that I'd recommend. It's also close to the Wesley Methodist church, which is quite beautiful. Photos at: http://snippetsofkatherine.wordpress.com/2014/06/30/back-to-kumasi/
Written 8 July 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jtaking
England, UK4 contributions
June 2014 • Friends
The Fort has plenty of interesting exhibits and the guide was easily the best I have had in Ghana. Thoroughly recommended. Entrance was GHS15 for Non-Ghanaian adult and then a small tip for the guide if you feel necessary.
Written 30 June 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mt_law749
DC31 contributions
I wasn't sure what to expect but was pleasantly surprised.
The museum focuses on Ghana's participation in WWI and WWII with some mention of their UN activities.
I was hoping for more info on the tribal wars that have taken place in Ghana but this mostly focused on the above mentioned battles.
Worth the visit and located near central market.
The museum focuses on Ghana's participation in WWI and WWII with some mention of their UN activities.
I was hoping for more info on the tribal wars that have taken place in Ghana but this mostly focused on the above mentioned battles.
Worth the visit and located near central market.
Written 21 July 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marco_bokki
20 contributions
In the Ghana Armed Forces museum a very friendly intelligent woman told us all about the war history of Ghana. The museum starts with first and second wod war in east africa. Ghana participated in that war. The rest of the museum is about the ashanti war against british governor and the peace missions of the.recent Ghanian army. A lot of things to see and learn! It took us one and a half hour with the guide!
Written 16 March 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
joanab617
Sunyani, Ghana68 contributions
Apr 2018 • Friends
The building is as old as when the nation got its independence and still very strong. Had chills all over when I entered the caves that were used as cells for people. It will surely bring tears to your eyes but that's the history
Written 18 April 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nicky W
Bangkok, Thailand193 contributions
Feb 2017 • Solo
This is definitely worth a visit if you are in Kumasi - you get taken around with a guide and as a Brit I found it very interesting and was also very ashamed at how we treated the Ghanaian soldiers who fought for us. A good assortment of photos and memorabilia. Wasn't overpriced either - price includes the guide.
Written 28 March 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FUNTUNFUNEFU
New York City, NY464 contributions
Feb 2016 • Solo
Rich history, guides are very informative. I have lead many travelers to this historical site and they always love it. interesting Ashanti history Anglo-Ashanti war. the museum is located in the heart of the city center opposite the Ghana Commercial Bank, near to the Kumasi Main Post office.
Written 27 October 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
35 cedis each per person in March 2024. We also tipped the guide 50.
Written 2 March 2024
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