Cape Coast, Ghana

May 18, 2025

Cape Coast, Ghana

Cape Coast Castle is one of about forty "slave castles", or large commercial forts, built on the Gold Coast of West Africa (now Ghana) by European traders. In 1555 it was a Portuguese trading post, then a fort for the Swedish Africa Company and later a slave castle used in the Atlantic Slave Trade. It was used to harbour enslaved Africans before they were loaded onto ships and sold to farners in the Carabbean, and later to larger markets in England and America. This "gate of no return" was the last stop before crossing the Atlantic Ocean. It is a the UNESCO World Heritage List because of its testimony to the Atlantic gold and slave trades.

The Harbor of Fishing Boats

Crafting a Fishing Boat

Cape Coast is the home of the first members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Billy Johnson was raised in a Methodist home by a mother who taught him to love God's word. After reading the Book of Mormon he made it his life's quest to share the gospel with everyone he met. For 30 years, he met opposition from those who thought he was following a false chruch, or that he did not believe in Christ. Discouraged he prayed and dreamed Joseph Smith appeard to him and said, "Very soon missionaries will come. Prophet McKay is thinking of you." In this vision he also saw Brigham Young who said, "Do not be discouraged".

His story is one of courage, persistance, and faith. It is told here:

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/history/saints-stories-billy-johnson-ghana/billy-johnson-ghana?lang=eng

(Chapter 13 of Saints Volume 4)

Brother Appiah (right), who was baptized member #87 was our tourguide for Church History Sites. This is Baptism Beach where in 1978, 125 people bcame official members of the chruch.

Cape Coasts "Hill Cumorah" where saints, after walking miles, would gather to break the many fasts they participated in as a plea to God to send missionaries so they could be baptized.