The W.E.B. Du Bois Memorial Centre for Pan-African Culture is the house in Cantonments where William Edward Burghardt Du Bois lived after moving to Ghana at the invitation of Kwame Nkrumah. One of the founders of the NAACP and a towering voice of the Pan-African movement, Du Bois died in Accra in 1963, and he and his wife, the writer and activist Shirley Graham Du Bois, are buried in a mausoleum in the grounds. The museum hosts an exhibition called The Du Boises in Ghana, which traces the couple’s years in the country, and the centre has long been a place of pilgrimage for Black Americans and members of the diaspora. It is managed by the W.E.B. Du Bois Museum Foundation, which has been preparing a major restoration and redevelopment of the bungalow, a books preservation lab and a new complex. The setting is small, leafy and contemplative, and for many visitors it is the emotional high point of a trip to Accra.
Check before you go: the Foundation announced in 2026 that restoration works on the Du Bois bungalow were about to begin, and the centre has been undergoing wider redevelopment. We could not confirm current visiting hours or whether any parts of the site are closed on a first-party page, so contact the Foundation through its website before you set out and confirm what is open. Tours and fees are arranged on site or in advance, and the amount varies with the type of visit.
What you will see: the mausoleum where Du Bois and Shirley Graham Du Bois are buried, the museum exhibition on their lives in Ghana, a recognition wall for donors who are supporting the redevelopment and the historic bungalow itself. The grounds are small, so most visits last under an hour, longer if you join a guided tour or ask the staff about the Pan-African history of Accra in the 1960s.
Making the most of it: read a little about Du Bois and about Nkrumah’s Ghana before you arrive, as the context makes the visit far richer. The centre is in the Cantonments district, a short ride from Osu and the Ridge hotels, so combine it with the Nkrumah memorial park for a full Pan-African morning. Dress respectfully and take time to sit in the grounds. If you are travelling in a group, a pre-arranged visit usually works better than turning up.
What to expect
The experience
A visit to the historic bungalow, museum exhibition and mausoleum where W.E.B. Du Bois and Shirley Graham Du Bois are buried, with restoration work planned.
Best time
A weekday morning, after confirming with the Foundation that the centre is open and which areas can be seen.
How long
About 45 to 90 minutes, depending on whether you join a guided tour.
Tips
Confirm opening hours and any restoration closures with the Foundation first, read about Du Bois beforehand and dress respectfully.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Travellers interested in Pan-African history, Black American heritage and the 1960s Accra story.
- Families
- Best for teenagers and older children who have studied the civil rights era; younger children may find the exhibits quiet.
- Couples
- A reflective, meaningful visit that suits history-minded couples.
- Pair with
- Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park and Independence Square.
- Time needed
- About an hour, plus transport.
Good questions
Why did W.E.B. Du Bois move to Ghana?+
He moved to Accra at the invitation of Kwame Nkrumah to work on the Encyclopedia Africana. He died there in 1963 and is buried in the grounds of the centre.
Who is buried at the Du Bois Centre?+
The mausoleum holds W.E.B. Du Bois and his wife, Shirley Graham Du Bois. The centre is managed by the W.E.B. Du Bois Museum Foundation.
Is the Du Bois Centre open for visits now?+
Restoration of the bungalow was about to begin in 2026, and we could not confirm current hours. Contact the Foundation through its website before you go.
What can I see at the centre?+
The museum exhibition The Du Boises in Ghana, the mausoleum and the historic bungalow. A books preservation lab and a redevelopment are in progress.
How long does a visit take?+
Most visits take under an hour and a half. Allow more time if you join a guided tour.