Ghana's architectural landscape is a rich tapestry woven from a variety of historical, cultural, and environmental influences. From traditional mud structures to colonial-era constructions and modern designs, the country's buildings reflect its diverse heritage and aspirations. Exploring Ghana’s architecture is a journey into the country’s culture and the spirit of its people.
Accra Skyline
Traditional Ghanaian Architecture
The foundation of Ghanaian architecture is rooted in traditional village buildings, constructed from local materials such as mud, wood, and thatch. Traditional Ghanaian architecture is marked by the use of local materials such as mud, wood, grass and thatch, and is characterised by its adaptability to the local climate and environment. In Pre-colonial Ghana, traditional buildings were primarily made from materials such as mud, wood and thatch, chosen for their availability, affordability, and climate adaptability. Common vernacular building materials that have been used over centuries include timber, bamboo, laterite, grass, thatch, and clay. These materials were used to build durable structures, particularly in rural areas.
Traditional architecture in Ghana is not just about buildings; it reflects social bonds and community traditions. The design of buildings reflects the local lifestyle of the Ghanaian people.
- In the Southern coastal regions, timber-frame construction with palm-thatched roofs is prevalent.
- In Nzema, pile dwellings are built over water.
- In the northern regions like Kassena, mural decoration appears on nearly all buildings, both private and state-owned. Ashanti architecture is known for its 'fihankra' layout, where buildings are arranged around a central courtyard.
The Asante Traditional Buildings near Kumasi, recognised as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, are the last surviving examples of this architectural style. This collection comprises 13 buildings located across ten sites. Symbols were important features in Mole-Dagbani architecture.
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Asante Traditional Buildings
Colonial Architecture
With the arrival of the Europeans in the 15th century, architectural styles such as Gothic Revival were introduced, influencing the design of churches, and Neoclassical elements became prominent in government buildings and residential structures. The construction of forts and castles was a main feature of early colonial architecture in Ghana. These forts and castles along Ghana's coast were constructed over a 300-year period between 1482 and 1786, and were occupied at different times by European traders from countries such as Portugal, Spain, Denmark, Sweden, Germany, and Britain. The Castle of St George at Elmina, built in 1482 by the Portuguese, stands as the oldest European stone structure south of the Sahara, and was later expanded by the Dutch. Cape Coast Castle, constructed by the Swedes in 1653, is one of the largest trade forts in West Africa. The British later took control of the castle in 1664.
Cape Coast Castle
Architecturally, these forts were typically designed as large squares or rectangles, with outer components consisting of four bastions or towers located at the corners. The inner-sections featured two or three-story buildings, some with additional towers, and often included enclosures, courtyards, or spurs. These designs were periodically modified and expanded by successive European powers to suit new needs, and many forts bear traces of these adaptations.
In the 19th century, European missionaries introduced new building typologies, including churches, schools, and training colleges. By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, colonial towns like Anomabo became centres of hybrid architecture, blending European and Ghanaian styles. Colonial administrators in the Gold Coast also constructed government offices, railways, and military barracks.
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Post-Independence Architecture and Tropical Modernism
Following Ghana's independence in 1957, its first president, Kwame Nkrumah initiated various architectural projects. During this era, several monumental structures were commissioned. Black Star Square, also known as Independence Square, in Accra, is one of these projects. Designed by Ghanaian architect Victor Adegbite, the square was constructed on former colonial playing fields. It features the Independence Arch, consisting of three parabolic concrete arches that support a presidential platform, flanked by stands with a capacity of up to 30,000 spectators. After Ghana gained independence, Tropical Modernism became a prominent architectural style in the country. Tropical Modernist architecture in particular is thought to respond to local climate and Ghanaian culture. It emerged as a response to the country's climatic conditions and socio-political context during the mid-20th century. Foreign architects also contributed to the development of this style in Ghana. British architects Maxwell Fry and Jane Drew, influenced several public and private structures in Accra.
International Trade Fair, Accra
Beyond functionality, Ghanaian Tropical Modernism also incorporated cultural elements and symbols. Local motifs and traditional construction methods were often integrated into the facades and interiors of buildings. Public buildings such as the Ghana National Museum featured local materials and design motifs, for modernity and tradition.
Exhibition Review: Tropical Modernism – Architecture and Independence
Contemporary Architecture
In contemporary Ghana, architecture has evolved to incorporate a blend of traditional and modern elements. The growing urban population, particularly in the cities of Accra and Kumasi, poses both an architectural challenge and an opportunity for architects. Driven mainly by architects and their upper class, wealthy clients, buildings in this style share the characteristic of being able to “fit” into any major global cityscape.
However, there are several buildings in Accra that do not fit, and indeed are not accepted as part of these aforementioned style categories. These buildings, striking and vividly colored - whether from alucobond cladding, reflective glazing, ceramic tiles, or paint, depending on how much money the owner had available - form a significant part of the architectural character of the city.
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Loewenson’s project, “Black Papers: Beyond the Politics of Land, Towards African Policies of Earth & Air,” explores the social and spatial dynamics in modern Africa. At the initiative of the Surf Ghana Collective, architects Glenn DeRoché and Jurgen Strohmayer, the co-founders of DeRoché Strohmayer, set out to transform a small waterfront plot in Busua, a surfing hotspot on Ghana’s western coast. The result is a dynamic community hub, complete with amenities for local surfers, but also providing spaces for the entire community to gather in and off-season.
Architecture styles in Ghana range from traditional to colonial and modern architecture, to contemporary sustainable architecture. Ghana’s building styles reflect the country’s history, culture, and environment. The profession of architectural publicist also emerged through this collaboration.
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