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Information of Ghana |
Capital: Accra
Official Language: English
Currency: Cedi
Ghana previously known as Gold Coast is a fascinating country of West Africa. Ghana is bordered by Burkina Faso to the north, by Togo to the east, by Cote d'Ivoire to the west and by the Atlantic Ocean to the south. Earlier it was a major trading center especially in gold and slaves. Ghana gained independence from the British colonists on March 6, 1957. Ghana is the first black nation in Africa to achieve independence from colonial rule. The country is named after the ancient empire of Ghana. Ghana's coastline is fringed with palm trees and lagoons. The Black And White Volta Rivers enter Ghana from Burkina Faso, uniting into Lake Volta, the largest manmade lake in the world. Lovely beaches, lively nightlife, good roads, variety of landscapes, heritage monuments and some of the friendliest people on the continent have bestowed Ghana to be one of the major tourist destinations of the world. The country boasts of a rich natural heritage. Colorful traditional festivals full of pomp and pageantry with Chiefs and Queen Mothers riding on gorgeous palanquins can still be seen all over the country. Open markets provide the sights and sounds of the traditional African bazaar.
Major Cities of Ghana
Accra, the capital, is one of the major cities of Ghana on the Gulf of Guinea. Accra is an important commercial, manufacturing, and communications center. A sprawling city, Accra presents a brilliant spectacle, with buildings of modern, colonial, and traditional African architecture. Some remarkable tourist spots over here are the 17th-century Christiansburg Castle and the National Museum (1957). Several research and technical institutes are found here with the University of Ghana (1948) in the nearby town of Legon. Kumasi is the historic capital of the Ashanti civilization, where ruins of the Manhyia Palace and the Royal Mausoleum can be viewed. The Cultural Center of Kumasi comprises a museum, library and an auditorium largely devoted to the Ashanti. There is also a 'Living Museum', a farm and reconstituted village, where craftsmen, potters, goldsmiths and sculptors are seen working using traditional methods. Sekondi has an artificial harbor and was the first modern port built in Ghana. Other major cities include Tema, Tamale and Cape Coast. Mole National Park in the west of Tamale is one of the best-equipped nature reserves in Ghana. Routes are planned to take in species of antelope, monkeys, buffalo, lions and elephants. Visitors are allowed to camp and explore the area rather than being confined to their own vehicle.
Tourist Attractions of Ghana
The country also hosts a fascinating variety of historical and cultural sites, the best known of which are the European-implanted castles and forts that line the coast. Mentionable are the ancient mud mosques of the north termed as Larabanga, the more secular adobe architecture of Sirigu and Wa, the Kente-weavers of Ashanti and the traditional villages of the eastern highlands. Ada is a popular resort at the mouth of Volta where tourists head for water sports. Nearby are the salt marshes of the Songow Lagoon, famous for their bird life. Kakum National Park near by Cape Coast is a protected conservation area. Wild animals that are permitted to be seen include elephants, bongo antelopes, monkeys, rare birds, butterflies, amphibians and reptiles.
The Volta region is dominated by Volta Lake A round trip on the car ferry to Kete-Krachi takes one day while a three-day trip will take to the northern capital of New Tamale at the head of the lake.
Travel and Accommodation in Ghana
The national airline is Ghana International Airlines flying from London to Accra daily. Main seaports are situated in Takoradi and Tema. Ships run between Tema and Nigeria, Cote d'Ivoire, Cameroon and South Africa. The rail network is limited connecting the cities of Accra, Takoradi and Kumasi and several intervening towns. There is also a rail link between the two main ports of Tema and Takoradi. The main roads are generally in good condition, but roads in remote places are in poor condition. Buses and taxis run between Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, Togo and Ghana. Accra has extensive bus and taxi services operated by the private sector. There are an abundance of taxis in the towns. Prices are reasonable. Drivers do not generally expect tips. Other ways of getting around, for the more adventurous tourists, are tro-tros or minibuses and mammy wagons. It is wiser to have plain US dollars instead of traveler's cheques, which are quite hard to change and found in a bad rate in Ghana. Those wanting to stay in the serene surroundings of Accra without all the hustle and bustle of a big city can try to stay in a village named Abokobi, 8 km north of Madina. Corruption is absolutely the worst part of a stay in Ghana. Police roadblocks are everywhere, where the only "papers" that they demand are cedis. Taking a bus trip is a great way to see the corruption first hand.
For further details and information on Ghana and its tourist destinations flip through the pages of allwonderscountries
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