Dutch Cemetery, Elmina

Dutch Cemetery

Gate of the cemetery with the Dutch inscription: "O weldadige moeder, ontvang uwe kinderen weder"
Details
Established 1806
Location Elmina
Country Ghana
Coordinates 5°05′10″N 1°21′11″W / 5.0860°N 1.3530°W / 5.0860; -1.3530
Type Public, non-denominational
Number of interments ca. 70

The Dutch Cemetery of Elmina was constructed on the order of Governor of the Dutch Gold Coast J.P. Hoogenboom in 1806. Up until that date, the Dutch had buried their dead inside or just outside Elmina Castle, but by the beginning of the 19th century, little space was left there, so it was decided to construct a new cemetery in what was known as "the Garden" of Elmina.[1] Ironically, Governor Hoogenboom was also one of the first people to be interred in the cemetery, after he was murdered by local Elminese people with whom he had a rift.

Overview

In the middle of the cemetery, a large tomb is situated in which the most prominent people were buried, including Governor Hoogenboom. Other prominent people interred are Governor Anthony van der Eb, Carel Hendrik Bartels, R. P. Baffour, Chief Kweku Andoh, and Elmina King Nana Kobena Isyan.

Renovation

The cemetery was renovated in 2006, as part of the Elmina 2015 Strategy.[1] The reconstruction was funded by the Dutch embassy. Among other things, the gate was restored, and the inscription reading "O weldadige moeder, ontvang uwe kinderen weder" (English translation: Oh benevolent mother, receive your children once again) was put into place again. A plaque unveiled on 24 July 2006 by Dutch ambassador to Ghana Arie van der Wiel and Komenda/Edina/Eguafo/Abirem Municipal District Chief Executive George Frank Asmah remembers this renovation.

References

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  1. 1 2 "The Elmina 2015 Strategy: 'Building on the Past to Create a Better Future'" (PDF). KEEA Municipal District. Retrieved 26 April 2013.
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