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| Ghana |
Sunshine in Plenty
Ghana has a tropical climate moderate temperatures, constant breeze
and clear, continuous sunshine most of the year. Temperature range
is 21° - 32°C in the shouth and 24° - 38°C in the north.
Beautiful, Unspoilt Sandy Beaches
Along the length of its Atlantic Coast are miles and miles of
palm fringed golden beaches, many of which sport historic forts
and castles built in the 15th to 18th centuries by Europeans trading
in gold and slaves. African-Americans and other visitors often
pause and ponder on these monuments to a bygone era.
There are rains between April and July and the dry season occurs
from October to March. July to November are the "greenest" months
while the sunny beaches provide a warm welcome for visitors from
the winter cold in Europe and North America.
Ghana is a healthy country and tourist areas are adequately provided
with health facilities - yellow fever vaccination is required
and visitors should take a preventative dose of malaria tablets.
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A Rich and Unique Culture
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| A
couple doing the "adowa" dance |
The hinterland of Ghana offers
some of the best of the sights and sound which attract tourists
to Africa: tropical forests and savannah; wildlife parks; the
culture of ancient black kingdoms like Ashanti; traditional African
village scapes; goldmines; cocoa farms; cultural festivals; tropical
fruits and herbal plants; African dishes, costumes and music.
For art, antique and souvenir collectors Ghana tempts with an
array of "Africana" in woodcarving, gold , silver, leather, colourful
"kente" cloth, traditional African wear, beads and strawcraft.
Getting around is easy. English is the official language and is
widely spoken. Some major Ghanaian languages are: Twi, Ga, Fante,
Hausa, Dagbani, Ewe and Nzema. There is a good road network as
well as domestic air services. An interesting and unusual mode
of transport is by boat on the vast Lake Volta.
There is a nationwide network of excellent State Transport Corporation
buses; airconditioned tourist buses are also for hire. One of
the most attractive aspects of Ghanaian cultural life is that
of the colourful festivals and durbars which are held in all parts
of the country from April to November.
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Traditional
drumming
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Though diverse in nature, the festivals have a common purpose
and features. Through these festivals people remember their past
leaders and ask for help and protection. Lastly, festivals are
held in order to purify the whole state so that the people can
enter the new year with confidence and hope.
Thousands of people including foreigners from all walks of life,
travel all over the country to witness the festivals. All told,
the festivals have the effect of creating in the people a feeling
of pride in their cultural heritage and spiritual affinity. When
you are at a festival, try and visit a home. The famous hospitality
of the Ghanaian, his warmth, friendliness as well as the distinctive
charm of the Ghanaian housewife are best experienced by a guest
in a Ghanaian home on festive occasions.
Check carefully on dates of festivals. Important ones include
Dipo Puberty Rites (Krobo Odumase); Bakatue (Elmina, Central Region);
Homowo (Greater Accra Region); Odwira (Akwapim, Eastern Region);
Akwasidae (Kumasi, Ashanti Region) and Hogbetsotso (Volta Region).
There are many others.
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| Cape
Coast castle |
Historic Forts, Castles
and Monuments
Ghana's golden coastline along the Gulf of Guinea is unique in
Africa for the number of ancient forts and castles built by the
various European nations - initially by the Portuguese and later
by the Swedish, Dutch, Danish, British and Prussians.
In fact there are the remains of over one hundred such castles
and forts in Ghana. Two which are a visitor's "must" are the earliest
at Elmina, completed by the Portuguese in 1482 and Cape Coast
Castle dating from 1652. The size and strength of these buildings
need to be seen to be appreciated - try to view them from the
sea or beach as well as the land approach.
Cape Coast Castle also houses the West African Historical Museum
and was actually the seat of government until the capital was
moved to Accra in 1877.
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| A
palace building in the north |
The Ghana Museums and Monuments Board is legally responsible for
protecting Ghana's cultural heritage and looks after a number
of traditional buildings, many in and near Kumasi in the Ashanti
region as well as historic mosques, walls and palaces in the Northern
and two Upper Regions.
Each of Ghana's ten regions has buildings and sites of interest
to the discerning visitor. Care should be taken to plan itineraries
in advance. Professional advice is available from representatives
of the Ghana Tourist Board and registered travel agencies.
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| Mole
National Park |
Fascinating Wildlife
and Vegetation
Ghana has varied plant and wildlife system ranging from dense
tropical rain forest in the southwest through deciduous forest
in the center to dry savannah country in the north where the effects
of the Harmattan winds are felt from the desert.
Nothern Ghana is a particularly interesting area of the country
well worth the effort to visit and contains the Mole National
Park, 140km southwest of Tamale which is the largest and most
developed of the wildlife sanctuaries. Antelope, monkeys, elephant,
lion and leopard are among the animals to be seen.
