Built around James Fort, erected by the English in 1673, Jamestown is one of Accra's oldest districts and the historic core of the Ga-Mashie community. A former trading post tied to the transatlantic slave trade, the fort now overlooks a still-active artisanal fishing harbour, where colourful canoes head out into the Gulf of Guinea each morning. Jamestown Lighthouse, built in 1871, offers a view over this lively waterfront. Since the 2010s, the district has become a major arts hub, driven by the annual Chale Wote street art festival and its murals. A recent port development project has, however, led to the demolition of part of the historic fishing village.
