At the foot of the Akuapem ridge, where the plains of Greater Accra meet the hills, lies a town whose name appears in Ghana’s history books. In 1826, an army of the Asante kingdom was defeated near Dodowa by an alliance of coastal peoples and the British. Today, Dodowa is a busy district capital with a market, schools and a growing population, and the road through it is one of the routes from Accra towards the hills and the Volta.
The district capital and the 1826 battle
Dodowa is north-east of Accra, beyond Oyarifa and Ayimensah on the Accra-Dodowa road. The Akuapem hills rise directly behind the town. The town is the capital of the Shai-Osudoku District. The district assembly, hospital and other offices are based there. The battle, often called the Battle of Katamanso or the Battle of Dodowa, was fought in August 1826. Ga, Fante, Akuapem, Akyem and other forces fought alongside the British against the Asante army.
Remembering the battle and the town today
The Asante defeat weakened the kingdom’s control over the southern coast and changed the balance of power in the region for decades. The battle is commemorated in local history and by the communities whose ancestors fought in it. The Dodowa forest and nearby green areas give the town a cooler, leafier feel than much of the plains. Some residents fear development is eating into these spaces.
Dodowa’s market draws traders and buyers from surrounding farming communities, who bring produce such as cassava, maize and vegetables. As Accra spreads, new houses and estates have appeared along the road towards Dodowa. Many residents now commute to the city.
Shai Hills, schools and weekend escapes
The Shai Hills Resource Reserve, home to baboons, antelope and caves, lies within reach of the district and is a popular day trip. From Dodowa, roads lead up into the Akuapem hills and east towards Akosombo, making it a stop for travellers. The town has several schools, including senior high schools that draw students from across the district.
Families from Accra stop in Dodowa on their way to the hills, the reserve or riverside resorts. Most travellers pass through Dodowa without stopping. The town they drive past once stood near a battlefield that helped decide who would rule the Gold Coast.
