🏛️ Fort William Lighthouse – Cape Coast

Perched on a hill overlooking Cape Coast, the Fort William Lighthouse is one of Ghana’s oldest surviving lighthouse structures—though it no longer serves its original purpose.

• Built: 1835
• Status: Inactive (since the 1970s)
• Height: 20 m (66 ft)

This square stone tower, complete with a lantern and gallery, rises from within the circular walls of Fort William. The structure also features radio masts, whose flashing red lights now act as a minor navigational aid.

📍 Location: About 600 m northwest of Cape Coast Castle, Cape Coast
🏛️ Historic Insight: Built by the British around 1820, Fort William was later used as a prison
🌍 Nearby Landmark: Cape Coast Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and key location in the transatlantic slave trade
🚶 Access: Site open; tower accessible to visitors on request

Although no longer an active lighthouse, it remains a powerful historical site and offers panoramic views over the coastline.

🌅 Cape St. Paul Lighthouse – Woe (Near Keta)

Standing near Ghana’s eastern border with Togo, the Cape St. Paul Lighthouse is one of the most visually distinctive lighthouses in the country.

• Built: 1901
• Status: Active
• Height: 25 m (83 ft)
• Focal Plane: 23 m (75 ft)
• Light Pattern: One long (1.7 seconds) flash every 15 seconds

This lighthouse features a pyramidal skeletal structure, with its upper section enclosed and topped by a lantern and gallery. Its bold red and white horizontal bands make it easily recognizable against the coastal landscape.

📍 Location: Woe, near Keta and the Togo border
🌊 Setting: Close to lagoons, beaches, and fishing communities
🚶 Access: Site generally accessible

Its remote and peaceful setting makes it a perfect destination for travelers seeking off-the-beaten-path coastal experiences.

Discover Ghana’s Lesser-Known Lighthouses

Though fewer in number, the lighthouses of the Central and Volta Regions are rich in character and history. From the colonial legacy of Cape Coast to the serene shores of Keta, these beacons highlight a different side of Ghana’s coastline—less crowded, but deeply meaningful.

Travel Tip: Pair your visit with nearby cultural and natural attractions, including historic forts, coastal lagoons, and traditional fishing villages for a well-rounded experience.