Christiansborg Castle Gardens
Discover the political history of the gardens at Christiansborg Castle and its role in defining diplomatic relations today
Christiansborg Castle Gardens (1876) by HACSA FoundationHeritage and Cultural Society of Africa Foundation
Origin of the gardens
The British bought the Christiansborg Castle from the Danes in 1850 and established the castle gardens in 1876 after an earthquake which ravaged Accra in 1862. When the Gold Coast became a Crown Colony the castle became the seat of the colonial government.
Christiansborg Castle Gardens (1876) by HACSA FoundationHeritage and Cultural Society of Africa Foundation
Historic gardens from the era of British colonialism
The gardens were created in front of the former Danish slave fort in an area previously inhabited by the indigenous Ga, Osu-Alata people. It has a variety of trees, flowering plants and herbs from around the world, many of which are labelled.
Canopy Walkway (2020) by HACSA FoundationHeritage and Cultural Society of Africa Foundation
1862 earthquake in Accra
The indigenous Ga inhabitants were expelled from their land by the British after their homes were destroyed by an earthquake in 1862, making way for the gardens which were later used by Basel missionaries to host children during their celebration of the Festival of Flowers.
Christiansborg Castle Gardens (1876) by HACSA FoundationHeritage and Cultural Society of Africa Foundation
The Homowo festival
There is a shrine in the garden belonging to the original occupants, the Osu Alata people, who come every year during the Homowo festival to sprinkle kpokpoi/ kpekple (steamed fermented corn meal) and pay homage to their ancestors.
Tamarind Tree (2020) by HACSA FoundationHeritage and Cultural Society of Africa Foundation
An avenue of tamarind trees
In 1797, a kilometer stretch of tamarind trees was planted by the Danes to create a shaded avenue from the Christiansborg Castle to their Fredericksberg plantation in Kuku Hill, in Osu. Some of these tamarind trees still remain in the Osu Castle Gardens. This botanical legacy of tamarind trees bares testimony to the dark period of the transatlantic slave trade.
Tamarind Tree Inscription (2020) by HACSA FoundationHeritage and Cultural Society of Africa Foundation
The canopy of the trees provided shade from the sun between the Castle and the Frederiksborg plantation at Kuku Hill. Before January 1803, the effective date of the prohibition by Denmark of their slave trade, they made attempts to establish plantations to supply produce such as cotton, indigo, coffee and palm oil as profitable substitutes to the transatlantic slave trade.
Locally enslaved people were often used on these plantations. Remnants of this avenue can be seen on Salem Road, next to the Osu Presbyterian Middle Boys Boarding School.
President Obama visits Ghana
The first African-American President, Barack Obama visited Ghana from July 10th to 11th 2009. Ghana was the first African country he visited after he became President of the United States of America. Ghanaians were at a fever pitch with excitement to host President Obama, welcoming him to the Christiansborg Castle Gardens.
President Mills welcomes President Obama
In a highly anticipated visit, President Obama held official meetings with the late President John Evans Atta Mills. He became the first U.S President to deliver a speech to the Ghanaian Parliament.
Photograph of the Presidents (2009-07-11) by Getty ImagesHeritage and Cultural Society of Africa Foundation
Ghana's Presidents re-unite to meet Obama
President John Atta Mills hosted a breakfast meeting in honour of President Obama on the Castle garden lawn and an iconic photograph was taken of all living Ghanaian presidents with President Obama.
Christiansborg Castle Gardens (1876) by HACSA FoundationHeritage and Cultural Society of Africa Foundation
Meeting Ghanaian opinion leaders and civil society
The President and First Lady toured the historic castle and an event was held in their honor on the lawn of the Castle Gardens. President Obama and his wife Michelle greeted guests made up of Ghana's opinion leaders and civil society.
