Apam - Town in Ghana

Apam is a town of 276,000 (2013) in Coastal Plain region of Ghana. Apam is the site of Fort Lijdzaamheid or Fort Patience, a Dutch-built fort which was completed in 1702, which dominates the fishing harbour and town from a rocky peninsula on the south side of the town.

Get in

Take a tro-tro from Kaneshie station in Accra (this can be reached from Nkrumah Circle and any point in the city by taxi) to Apam or Cape Coast, the latter will drop you off at the nearby (8–10 km) junction where traffic to the village is reasonably frequent. This will cost about GH₵12,000 while a Taxi ride from Accra or Cape Coast will cost at minimum 200,000.

Get around

Taxis are not needed, or even desirable since to really soak up this pleasant and bustling village you need to be on foot. Still, if you really need the drive to the fort or beach then the Motor Park where you arrive provides ample transport.

See

Fort Patience construction began in 1697 but its completion did not occur until 1702. Hence the name they gave to the fort - Lijdzaamheid, meaning 'patience'. According to the local tour guide the fort was used as a holding place for slaves. In the slave quarters you will find shackles and weapons. There are great views over the bay and over the busy fish market right by the beach. The market is a superb way to take in the local culture and way of life as well as being a melange of colourful sights and sounds. It is one of several forts along the Ghanan coast making up the UNESCO World Heritage site "Forts and Castles, Volta, Greater Accra, Central and Western Regions"

Apam Senior High School is a Senior High School in the Apam township, it was establish in 1953.

Do

Beaches: The beaches along the fishing area are calm but somewhat polluted. The beaches on the other side have stronger waves but are preferable for relaxing.

Churches: Many of the churches offer English sermons.

Adventure: A ride in a fishing boat is easily arranged with a few extra cedis encouragement, but don't go nuts, GH₵30,000 should be a maximum per person!

Buy

The fish market leads onto the main one where there is plenty in food terms but little in craft or cloth.

Eat

In nearby Apam Junction:

• Sankofa Square Jamaican Restaurant and Bar. A roadside cafe with Jamaican food like jerk chicken. +233 26 842 7251

There is also a popular eatery and rest stop called Eat n Ride. It provides exquisite cuisines for you. It matches all standards of a restaurant.

If you're feeling adventurous, then chop (Ghanaian word for food) is available at some bars and the markets, but going to Winneba or even onto Cape coast may provide a better meal.

Drink

A decent range of spots of the usual Ghana standard with the usual Ghana standards-limited beers and soft drinks.

Sleep

• Smayak Hotel, also in Apam Jct off Mankessin-Accra Highway. Festive swimming pool. +233 24 369 0511

Or, for a more relaxed, environmentally-centered experience, try the Lagoon Lodge in Winneba.

Go next

Tro-tros and line taxis ply the route to the junction as well as to Winneba junction. From these places transport can be found to Accra, Cape Coast as well as sites in the area.