Victoriaborg, Accra
Encyclopedia
Formed in the late nineteenth century as an exclusive European residential neighborhood, the historic district of Victoriaborg was located to the east of Accra
's city limits of the time, behind cliffs where there was reported to ‘always be a breeze.’. With its luxurious homes, race course, golf course, polo and cricket field, tennis courts, and racially segregated hospital, "Victoriabog was like a piece of England grafted into the townscape of Accra
." .
As the city expanded, the suburban district of Victoriaborg was incorporated into the urban area. Following the independence of Ghana, the European CBD in Victoriaborg was de-Europeanized. The area was nationalized in a symbolic sense with the citing of the Bank of Ghana, Ministries, Independence Square
, and the headquarters of newly established national companies in the district.
Today, architecture in Victoriaborg ranges from elegant Georgian colonial buildings to glittering modern tower blocks reflecting its transition from a Victorian residential suburb to the modern business district it is today.
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...
's city limits of the time, behind cliffs where there was reported to ‘always be a breeze.’. With its luxurious homes, race course, golf course, polo and cricket field, tennis courts, and racially segregated hospital, "Victoriabog was like a piece of England grafted into the townscape of 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...
." .
As the city expanded, the suburban district of Victoriaborg was incorporated into the urban area. Following the independence of Ghana, the European CBD in Victoriaborg was de-Europeanized. The area was nationalized in a symbolic sense with the citing of the Bank of Ghana, Ministries, Independence Square
Independence Square
There are many squares in the world named Independence Square, such as:*Harry S. Truman, in the center of the Independence Square, Independence, MO US* Malta's capital, Valletta contains such a square, outside St...
, and the headquarters of newly established national companies in the district.
Today, architecture in Victoriaborg ranges from elegant Georgian colonial buildings to glittering modern tower blocks reflecting its transition from a Victorian residential suburb to the modern business district it is today.
Landmarks/Places of Interest
- Supreme Court of Ghana
- Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park
- Holy Trinity Cathedral
- Makola Shopping Mall
- National Hockey Pitch
- Independence SquareIndependence Arch (Accra)The Independence Square of Accra, Ghana, inscribed with the words "Freedom and Justice, AD 1957", commemorates the independence of Ghana, a first for Sub Saharan Africa...
- Ohene Djan Stadium
- Bank of Ghana national headquarters
- State House