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Claim: Social media users, including key personalities, have claimed that the Despite Automobile Museum in Ghana is the first automobile museum in Africa.
Verdict: False. Despite Automobile Museum is not the first in Africa. While the museum represents a major feat for Ghana, it is worth noting that several automotive museums in South Africa preceded it by decades, most notably the James Hall Museum of Transport, established in 1964, and the Franschhoek Motor Museum.
Full Text
In June 2025, Ghanaian entrepreneur Dr Osei Kwame Despite launched the Despite Automobile Museum. The museum showcases a variety of classic vehicles, including luxury sports cars. This initiative was a landmark project in Ghana’s automotive space. The launch received widespread media attention. However, some social media users and key personalities have claimed that the museum is “the first in Africa.”
For instance, Prophet Kofi Oduro said, “My director, Dr. Osei Kwame Despite’s museum. The first of its kind in Africa.” An X user, sikaofficial1, posted this. It has amassed over 40,000 views.
Another from Kilo One TV on Facebook claims that “Despite Automobile Museum at East Legon, Accra, Ghana, is the first of its kind in Africa. This claim has been forwarded over 100 times.”
This report seeks to find out the accuracy of that claim.
Verification
DUBAWA conducted a quick Google search to determine whether other African automobile museums exist. Our findings revealed that several such museums were established long before the launch of the Despite Automobile Museum in Ghana. Notable among them are the James Hall Museum of Transport and the Franschhoek Motor Museum, both located in South Africa.
1. James Hall Museum of Transport – Johannesburg, South Africa
Established in February 1964, the James Hall Museum of Transport is widely recognised as Africa’s oldest and largest land transport museum. Located in Johannesburg, it houses a vast collection of vintage cars, buses, and other vehicles.
Source: James Hall Museum of Transport Image of: some motor cars on display in the museum
2. Franschhoek Motor Museum – Western Cape, South Africa
Situated on the L’Ormarins wine estate is the Franschhoek Motor Museum. This museum boasts over 220 automobiles. It has been open to the public for nearly two decades and is a prominent tourist destination.
Source: Franschhoek Motor Museum. Image of a car on display in the museum.
These examples demonstrate that Africa, notably South Africa, has had automobile-focused museums for several decades.
This provides a definitive rebuttal to the “first in Africa” claim made by social media users and other notable personalities. While Despite Automobile Museum in Ghana is a significant achievement for the country, it is essential to acknowledge that other countries, such as South Africa, already have established automobile museums.
Conclusion
The establishment of Despite Automobile Museum is undoubtedly a proud moment for Ghana and a notable contribution to the country’s cultural and automotive landscape. However, the claim that it is the first automobile museum in Africa is inaccurate. Decades-old institutions such as the James Hall Museum of Transport and the Franschhoek Motor Museum in South Africa predate it.
