Ada Foah
Encyclopedia
Ada Foah or Ada is a town in Ghana
, Greater Accra Region
, at the seashore along the road from Ada Kasseh, just off the Accra-Aflao motorway. It is located along the Volta River
and the Volta River Estuary with many islands and river arms and the Atlantic Ocean
.
Ada Foah is the capital of the Dangme East District
and the seat of the District Assembly.
. They remained in Ada for more than 100 years and had friendly business relationships with the locals.
To defend their trading post against the attacking neighboring tribes, the Danes built Fort Kongenstein in 1783. This fort actually gave Ada Foah its name: Ada Fort, village of the fort.
When the British arrived at the end of the 19th century, the Danish sold their forts and trading posts to them. That was the time independence ended and British Colonial Rule
was imposed. In contrast to the peaceful cooperation with the Danish, the British treated the people of Ada, also called Adali, like conquered people.
During this time of trading with the Europeans Ada also became a major market for the slave trade. But in contrast to other Ghanaian tribes, the Adali only played middlemen
in slave trade between European slave buyers and African slave sellers.
After slave trade had been abolished, the Adas traded products of the African tropical forest (mostly palm oil
, palm kernels
and rubber
).
Ada used to be a major trading center and trade was one of the main sources of income. There were large warehouses for storing the trading goods close to the seaside. Its special location at the estuary
ensured a quick transportation along the Volta River
up to the North of the country.
The economic activities reached a peak around 1901 when a transportation system called the Volta River Transport System was launched.
and washed into the sea.
Especially with the start of the cocoa industry, Ada lost its importance, since cocoa was transported on the road instead of the river and was harvested far away from Volta River
. Also, the construction of the hydroelectric dam in Akosombo
dried up the Volta River
and ships could no longer pass.
As the sea comes closer more than 1.5 meters each year, it is gradually eroding
the town and washing away building after building.
The trading fort is already halfway washed into the ocean, but hopefully the upcoming construction of the sea defense wall
will stop this progress.
with its beaches, the estuary
and many tourism attractions and services. With the river and the ocean, Ada Foah is famous for water sports like swimming, sailing, fishing and boat cruises. The river shore is mostly blocked by holiday chalets as many people from Accra
use the place as a weekend getaway.
There is a ferry and boat harbor
at the riverside where boats can be rented for a cruise around the islands in the river.
The Ghana Sailing Club, located at the Volta River
, is open to members only.
and washed into the ocean the remains can still be visited.
Close to the fort is the Presbyterian Church that was built by the first generation of Ghanaian Christians. Next to it is the old missionary
cemetery. When the missionaries came to Ghana in the 19th century they faced harsh conditions that they were not adapted to. Many died very young of various tropical diseases
. These missionaries were buried at the cemetery that was reserved to reverend ministers, missionaries and important church-related people. An additional cemetery closer to the ocean was built for foreign traders and seamen.
and returns around 1pm and 6pm. The ferry connects the markets in Anyanui and in Ada Foah that both take place every Wednesday. In Ada Foah, there is an additional market on Saturday.
Chop bars and spots (bars) are available everywhere around town.
There is an Internet Café at Roman Junction just before you get to the market when coming from Big Ada
. It is located in St. Peter Claver Church.
A petrol station is located on the main road.
A health center is located on Clinic Road, close to Clinic Junction. The big District Hospital is not far away between Big Ada
and Kasseh
on the main road.
The Tro-Tro station is just in front of the market.
but lots of celebrations also take place in Ada Foah.
There is a beach soccer
tournament on the first weekend of each month at the seaside near the estuary
where teams from different communities in the district compete against each other. Before the start of the tournament the beach is cleaned, which is the underlying intention of the whole event.
Once a month, there is a symposium on the ferry that operates between Ada Foah and Anyanui. This is to inform both locals and tourists about specific topics concerning health, tradition and education.
A boat race takes place every year in December. Paddle boats for 5 or 15 people compete against each other. Visitors can watch the race and also participate if they register as a group about a week in advance.
(Tudu Station) and Kasseh
to Ada Foah. You can also take a taxi or own car as well as the STC-Bus from Accra
.
To get to the other side of the Volta River
there is a ferry connection to and from Anyanui.
Ghana
Ghana , officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country located in West Africa. It is bordered by Côte d'Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south...
, Greater Accra Region
Greater Accra Region
The Greater Accra Region is the smallest of Ghana's 10 administrative regions in terms of area, occupying a total land surface of 3,245 square kilometres or 1.4 per cent of the total land area of Ghana...
, at the seashore along the road from Ada Kasseh, just off the Accra-Aflao motorway. It is located along the Volta River
Volta River
The Volta is a river in western Africa that drains into the Gulf of Guinea. It has three main tributaries—the Black Volta, White Volta and Red Volta...
and the Volta River Estuary with many islands and river arms and the Atlantic Ocean
Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's oceanic divisions. With a total area of about , it covers approximately 20% of the Earth's surface and about 26% of its water surface area...
.
Ada Foah is the capital of the Dangme East District
Dangme East District
The Dangme East District located in the Eastern part of the Greater Accra Region covers a surface of 909 km². Major towns in the district are Ada Foah, Big Ada and Ada Kasseh. Ada Foah, which is also the district capital, is located at the beach and river estuary.In 2000, the population in the...
and the seat of the District Assembly.
History
Dutch traders were the first to open up trade between Europe and Ada in the 16th century and built a new trading post in 1775. Later, the Danes took over, who at this time had power over the whole coast east of AccraAccra
Accra is the capital and largest city of Ghana, with an urban population of 1,658,937 according to the 2000 census. Accra is also the capital of the Greater Accra Region and of the Accra Metropolitan District, with which it is coterminous...
. They remained in Ada for more than 100 years and had friendly business relationships with the locals.
To defend their trading post against the attacking neighboring tribes, the Danes built Fort Kongenstein in 1783. This fort actually gave Ada Foah its name: Ada Fort, village of the fort.
When the British arrived at the end of the 19th century, the Danish sold their forts and trading posts to them. That was the time independence ended and British Colonial Rule
British Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
was imposed. In contrast to the peaceful cooperation with the Danish, the British treated the people of Ada, also called Adali, like conquered people.
During this time of trading with the Europeans Ada also became a major market for the slave trade. But in contrast to other Ghanaian tribes, the Adali only played middlemen
Reseller
A reseller is a company or individual that purchases goods or services with the intention of reselling them rather than consuming or using them. This is usually done for profit...
in slave trade between European slave buyers and African slave sellers.
After slave trade had been abolished, the Adas traded products of the African tropical forest (mostly palm oil
Palm oil
Palm oil, coconut oil and palm kernel oil are edible plant oils derived from the fruits of palm trees. Palm oil is extracted from the pulp of the fruit of the oil palm Elaeis guineensis; palm kernel oil is derived from the kernel of the oil palm and coconut oil is derived from the kernel of the...
, palm kernels
Palm kernel
Many plants and trees like olive, soybean, canola, sunflower and coconut palm produce one type of oil. The fruits of the oil palm tree, however, yields two distinct oils - palm oil and palm kernel oil....
and rubber
Rubber
Natural rubber, also called India rubber or caoutchouc, is an elastomer that was originally derived from latex, a milky colloid produced by some plants. The plants would be ‘tapped’, that is, an incision made into the bark of the tree and the sticky, milk colored latex sap collected and refined...
).
Ada used to be a major trading center and trade was one of the main sources of income. There were large warehouses for storing the trading goods close to the seaside. Its special location at the estuary
Estuary
An estuary is a partly enclosed coastal body of water with one or more rivers or streams flowing into it, and with a free connection to the open sea....
ensured a quick transportation along the Volta River
Volta River
The Volta is a river in western Africa that drains into the Gulf of Guinea. It has three main tributaries—the Black Volta, White Volta and Red Volta...
up to the North of the country.
The economic activities reached a peak around 1901 when a transportation system called the Volta River Transport System was launched.
Ada today
Today, Ada is but a poor shadow of its former self as far as social life and economic activities are concerned. There are hardly any traces of physical structures such as forts, factories and shops remaining, since large parts of the town have been erodedErosion
Erosion is when materials are removed from the surface and changed into something else. It only works by hydraulic actions and transport of solids in the natural environment, and leads to the deposition of these materials elsewhere...
and washed into the sea.
Especially with the start of the cocoa industry, Ada lost its importance, since cocoa was transported on the road instead of the river and was harvested far away from Volta River
Volta River
The Volta is a river in western Africa that drains into the Gulf of Guinea. It has three main tributaries—the Black Volta, White Volta and Red Volta...
. Also, the construction of the hydroelectric dam in Akosombo
Akosombo Dam
The Akosombo Dam , is a hydroelectric dam on the Volta River in southeastern Ghana in the Akosombo gorge and part of the Volta River Authority. The construction of the dam flooded part of the Volta River Basin, and the subsequent creation of Lake Volta...
dried up the Volta River
Volta River
The Volta is a river in western Africa that drains into the Gulf of Guinea. It has three main tributaries—the Black Volta, White Volta and Red Volta...
and ships could no longer pass.
As the sea comes closer more than 1.5 meters each year, it is gradually eroding
Erosion
Erosion is when materials are removed from the surface and changed into something else. It only works by hydraulic actions and transport of solids in the natural environment, and leads to the deposition of these materials elsewhere...
the town and washing away building after building.
The trading fort is already halfway washed into the ocean, but hopefully the upcoming construction of the sea defense wall
Seawall
A seawall is a form of coastal defence constructed where the sea, and associated coastal processes, impact directly upon the landforms of the coast. The purpose of a seawall is to protect areas of human habitation, conservation and leisure activities from the action of tides and waves...
will stop this progress.
Tourism
Ada Foah is the tourism center of the Dangme East DistrictDangme East District
The Dangme East District located in the Eastern part of the Greater Accra Region covers a surface of 909 km². Major towns in the district are Ada Foah, Big Ada and Ada Kasseh. Ada Foah, which is also the district capital, is located at the beach and river estuary.In 2000, the population in the...
with its beaches, the estuary
Estuary
An estuary is a partly enclosed coastal body of water with one or more rivers or streams flowing into it, and with a free connection to the open sea....
and many tourism attractions and services. With the river and the ocean, Ada Foah is famous for water sports like swimming, sailing, fishing and boat cruises. The river shore is mostly blocked by holiday chalets as many people from Accra
Accra
Accra is the capital and largest city of Ghana, with an urban population of 1,658,937 according to the 2000 census. Accra is also the capital of the Greater Accra Region and of the Accra Metropolitan District, with which it is coterminous...
use the place as a weekend getaway.
There is a ferry and boat harbor
Harbor
A harbor or harbour , or haven, is a place where ships, boats, and barges can seek shelter from stormy weather, or else are stored for future use. Harbors can be natural or artificial...
at the riverside where boats can be rented for a cruise around the islands in the river.
The Ghana Sailing Club, located at the Volta River
Volta River
The Volta is a river in western Africa that drains into the Gulf of Guinea. It has three main tributaries—the Black Volta, White Volta and Red Volta...
, is open to members only.
Sights
Although the old trading fort, built by Danish traders in the 18th century, is already halfway erodedErosion
Erosion is when materials are removed from the surface and changed into something else. It only works by hydraulic actions and transport of solids in the natural environment, and leads to the deposition of these materials elsewhere...
and washed into the ocean the remains can still be visited.
Close to the fort is the Presbyterian Church that was built by the first generation of Ghanaian Christians. Next to it is the old missionary
Missionary
A missionary is a member of a religious group sent into an area to do evangelism or ministries of service, such as education, literacy, social justice, health care and economic development. The word "mission" originates from 1598 when the Jesuits sent members abroad, derived from the Latin...
cemetery. When the missionaries came to Ghana in the 19th century they faced harsh conditions that they were not adapted to. Many died very young of various tropical diseases
Tropical disease
Tropical diseases are diseases that are prevalent in or unique to tropical and subtropical regions. The diseases are less prevalent in temperate climates, due in part to the occurrence of a cold season, which controls the insect population by forcing hibernation. Insects such as mosquitoes and...
. These missionaries were buried at the cemetery that was reserved to reverend ministers, missionaries and important church-related people. An additional cemetery closer to the ocean was built for foreign traders and seamen.
Markets
Every Wednesday at 8am and 3pm the ferry takes passengers to Anyanui on the other side of the Volta RiverVolta River
The Volta is a river in western Africa that drains into the Gulf of Guinea. It has three main tributaries—the Black Volta, White Volta and Red Volta...
and returns around 1pm and 6pm. The ferry connects the markets in Anyanui and in Ada Foah that both take place every Wednesday. In Ada Foah, there is an additional market on Saturday.
Services
There are a great number of guesthouses catering for the uprising holiday destination. Most of the accommodations are budget, but there are also a number of luxury hotels.Chop bars and spots (bars) are available everywhere around town.
There is an Internet Café at Roman Junction just before you get to the market when coming from Big Ada
Big Ada
Big Ada is a town in Ghana, located in the Greater Accra Region and the Dangme East District. The settlement lies along the road from Ada Kasseh to Ada Foah, just off the Accra-Aflao motorway.-History:...
. It is located in St. Peter Claver Church.
A petrol station is located on the main road.
A health center is located on Clinic Road, close to Clinic Junction. The big District Hospital is not far away between Big Ada
Big Ada
Big Ada is a town in Ghana, located in the Greater Accra Region and the Dangme East District. The settlement lies along the road from Ada Kasseh to Ada Foah, just off the Accra-Aflao motorway.-History:...
and Kasseh
Kasseh
Kasseh is a historic rural town in Bureh Kasseh Maconteh Chiefdom, Port Loko District located in the Northern Province of Sierra Leone with a population of 3,386 . The population of Kasseh is almost entirely inhabited by the Temne people. The Temne language is widely spoken throughout the town...
on the main road.
The Tro-Tro station is just in front of the market.
Events
Ada Foah is the secondary venue of the annual Asafotufiami Festival that takes place in the first week of August. Its main venue is Big AdaBig Ada
Big Ada is a town in Ghana, located in the Greater Accra Region and the Dangme East District. The settlement lies along the road from Ada Kasseh to Ada Foah, just off the Accra-Aflao motorway.-History:...
but lots of celebrations also take place in Ada Foah.
There is a beach soccer
Beach soccer
Beach soccer, also known as beach football or beasal, is a variant of association football played on a beach or some form of sand. The game emphasises skill, agility and shooting at goal....
tournament on the first weekend of each month at the seaside near the estuary
Estuary
An estuary is a partly enclosed coastal body of water with one or more rivers or streams flowing into it, and with a free connection to the open sea....
where teams from different communities in the district compete against each other. Before the start of the tournament the beach is cleaned, which is the underlying intention of the whole event.
Once a month, there is a symposium on the ferry that operates between Ada Foah and Anyanui. This is to inform both locals and tourists about specific topics concerning health, tradition and education.
A boat race takes place every year in December. Paddle boats for 5 or 15 people compete against each other. Visitors can watch the race and also participate if they register as a group about a week in advance.
Getting there
There is a regular Tro-Tro connection from AccraAccra
Accra is the capital and largest city of Ghana, with an urban population of 1,658,937 according to the 2000 census. Accra is also the capital of the Greater Accra Region and of the Accra Metropolitan District, with which it is coterminous...
(Tudu Station) and Kasseh
Kasseh
Kasseh is a historic rural town in Bureh Kasseh Maconteh Chiefdom, Port Loko District located in the Northern Province of Sierra Leone with a population of 3,386 . The population of Kasseh is almost entirely inhabited by the Temne people. The Temne language is widely spoken throughout the town...
to Ada Foah. You can also take a taxi or own car as well as the STC-Bus from Accra
Accra
Accra is the capital and largest city of Ghana, with an urban population of 1,658,937 according to the 2000 census. Accra is also the capital of the Greater Accra Region and of the Accra Metropolitan District, with which it is coterminous...
.
To get to the other side of the Volta River
Volta River
The Volta is a river in western Africa that drains into the Gulf of Guinea. It has three main tributaries—the Black Volta, White Volta and Red Volta...
there is a ferry connection to and from Anyanui.
External links
- Ada Tourism official website