Fort Elize Carthago, Fort ruins in the Western Region, Ghana

Fort Elize Carthago stands on a hill at the mouth of the Ankobra River, overlooking the Gulf of Guinea coastline. The stone ruins reveal the fort's former defensive layout and its position at a key river crossing point.

The Dutch West India Company built a lodge on the hill at the mouth of the Ankobra River in 1702, after the local Azane people asked for it and French interest in the river grew. Trade was strong enough that in 1706 the company turned the lodge into a fort. Conflict between the Azane and other coastal peoples led the Dutch to abandon it in 1711, and John Conny destroyed it in 1712.

The fort was built following a request from the local Azane people, showing a period of cooperation between Dutch traders and coastal communities. The name reflects how Europeans linked this place to ancient history and commercial networks.

Visitors can reach the fort ruins through a pathway starting at Ankobra Beach Hotel, with guided tours offered year-round. The path to the site can change with weather conditions, so it's wise to check current conditions before visiting.

Archaeological excavations in 1999 and 2011 uncovered artifacts from the fort's short operational period. These findings offer insight into daily life for both the European traders and African inhabitants during the early colonial era.