National Museum of Ghana, National museum in Central Accra, Ghana.

The National Museum of Ghana houses over 10,000 objects including archaeological artifacts, ethnographic materials, traditional regalia, musical instruments, gold weights, textiles, and contemporary artworks that showcase the country's rich heritage and diverse cultural expressions.

Established on March 5, 1957, coinciding with Ghana's independence celebrations, the museum was inaugurated by Princess Marina, the Duchess of Kent, with A.W. Lawrence as its first director, symbolizing the nation's commitment to preserving its cultural identity.

The museum displays traditional Akan artifacts, royal regalia from various chiefs, ceremonial stools, pottery, colorful beads, and musical instruments that represent Ghana's social customs, craftsmanship, and the shared cultural traits across different African communities.

The museum stands on Barnes Road in central Accra, next to the Ghana National Museum of Science and Technology, in a two-storey building. School classes visit regularly alongside tourists, so mornings can be busy with groups. The building closed in 2015 for restoration and reopened in 2022, so check current opening conditions before travelling.

The museum's collection began at Achimota College's anthropology museum, founded by Charles Thurstan Shaw, and was later donated to the University of Ghana in 1940. Most objects were not transferred to the national museum when it opened, so the early collection remained largely at the university.