Information AboutAccra |
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Accra, population 1,970,400 (2005), is the , in the Greater Accra Region . Accra was founded by the Ga people in the 15th Century as a centre for trade with the Portuguese , who built a Fort in the town, followed by the Swedish , Dutch , French , British and Danish by the end of the Seventeenth Century . The site of present-day Accra developed into a sizable town around the British district, Osu the Danish and Ussherstown the Dutch, the three areas forming the core of the modern city. At the end of the British-Asante Wars , Accra became the capital of the British Gold Coast colony. After the completion of a railroad to the mining and agricultural hinterland, Accra became the economic center of Ghana. Large areas were destroyed by Earthquake s in 1862 and 1939 , but the city grew around a Seaport (now relocated to Tema ), and later a Brewery , expanding into neighbouring towns. The Accra Riots in 1948 launched the Ghanaian campaign for independence, which led to the Ghanaian Revolution and nationhood in 1957 . Accra is home to the National Museum Of Ghana , the Ghana Academy Of Arts And Sciences , the National Archives Of Ghana , and Ghana's Central Library . Also of note is Christianborg Or Osu Castle , built by the Danes in the 17th Century , the National Theatre , Accra Centre For National Culture , a Lighthouse , the National Sports Stadium , the W.E.B. DuBois Memorial Centre For Pan-African Culture and several Beach es. Near the Parliament Of Ghana is the Ghana-India Kofi Annan Centre For Excellence In ICT . On Accra's outskirts are Achimota Secondary School and Presby Boys' Secondary School and the country's leading secondary schools and, 13km north at Legon, the University Of Ghana . The Defense Commission of the Organization Of African Unity has its headquarters in Accra. Today, Accra is a transport hub, home to the Kotoka International Airport and lies on Railway lines to Tema , Takoradi and Kumasi . The main harbour city, Tema is connected through the only highway in Ghana. EXTERNAL LINKS
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