In this edition, we will be touring the Butre Village in Ghana, which harbours a very special fort.
Situated high above the quiet coastal village of Butre in Ghana’s Western Region, Fort Batenstein offers a breathtaking view of the Atlantic Ocean.

But beyond its stunning scenery lies a deeper story—one of ambition, struggle, and colonial legacy. Built by the Dutch in 1656, not for the view but for the promise of gold in the hinterlands, the fort was both a strategic outpost and a symbol of misplaced hopes.

Its name, which translates to “profit fort,” reflects the commercial ambitions that drove its creation, despite the fort’s eventual limited success in trade. Despite its weak structure – once described as “a tiny, ill-designed fort” -Batenstein stood its ground, serving not just as a trading post, but as a hub for ship repairs and plantation activity.

Today, it remains a quiet testament to history, nestled in nature’s calm embrace.

Naa Dedei Tettey is our guide.