Dutch Cemetery, Elmina

The Dutch Cemetery of Elmina was constructed on the order of Governor of the Dutch Gold Coast Johannes Petrus 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.

Dutch Cemetery
Gate of the cemetery with the Dutch inscription: "O weldadige moeder, ontvang uwe kinderen weder"
Details
Established1806
Location
Elmina
CountryGhana
Coordinates5.0860°N 1.3530°W / 5.0860; -1.3530
TypePublic, non-denominational
No. of intermentsca. 70

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, Acting Commander Eduard Daniel Leopold van Ingen, Carel Hendrik Bartels, R. P. Baffour, Chief Kweku Andoh, and Elmina King Nana Kobina Gyan.

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.

  • Grave of Carel Hendrik Bartels
  • Statue of Fr. Auguste Moreau
  • Plaques on the tomb remembering Governor Hoogenboom (misspelled) and lieutenant Joost
  • Cemetery gate before renovation

References
  1. "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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