International life in ghana , africa

Nearby bars and pubs

BoozeGarden
00233

Whizzy Lounge
Ips Road

Dennis Newman

Palms Bar

Makerz City
Alhaji-Isreal

FK Lounge
Dome Road

Kings Lounge And Pub
Accra Madina

Kharis Lounge
ACCRA

Divine Health Food Ldt
P. O. Box GP 14496 Accra

Da Mobile ShiSha Bar

La Fleur Beach Lodge Ghana
Langma Road

PURE SIP GH
233

P's Purple
0233

Els Cocktails
Achimota

Staboat pub & Restaurant Abetifi
Gbawe

Many people have moved to the towns mainly to find work. But most of these people still maintain strong links with the country. The country is important to them both as a source of food and because of family ties. Research has found that most people rent rather than buy their homes in the towns. It is not that they do not have enough money to buy houses. They prefer to send back to their relatives

in the villages. Many people look forward to spending their savings on building their own houses in the villages. The style and appearance of villages depend on where they are located. In the more luscious south the huts cluster beneath the trees and are surrounded by bushes and banana groves. In the savannah land of the north they are stark and unprotected in the hot sun. Round, thatched, mud huts encircle open courtyards where many of the daily chores are done. There people gossip sitting on wooden benches or the ground. Along the coast the huts are more likely to be made of screens woven from coconut fronds, and spread out underneath coconut palms. Prosperous villages have several concrete one or two-room bungalows. In the rural areas village life remains primitive. Few people have running water or electricity in their homes. The national grid, with electricity from the Volta Dam, is gradually being extended to more of the country. Women and girls still pound cassava and maize with heavy mortar and pestles, as they have done for centuries. Water is carried in buckets and pots on their heads from the nearest standpipe or steam. Washing is done entirely by hand and cooking is usually done over fire in the courtyard. Fifty-nine per cent of the Ghanaian workforce is in agriculture and almost everyone living in rural areas is involved in farming. Some people work on large cocoa farms but there is very little large scale farming and most of the land is divided up between families. The families farm their plot with hand implements that have been used for generations. There is very little modern farm machinery. Even when it is introduced it may fall quickly into disrepair because of the problems of running and maintaining modern machinery in isolated and impoverished rural areas. On market days people travel many kilometres to bring their produce to sell and to buy things they cannot grow. Mammy-wagons laden down with people, animals and goods for sale travel along dirt tracks. In market towns such as Kpandu, on the shores of the Volta Lake, people also arrive by rickety, over-laden boats. At the market, dried fish, tomatoes, plantains, groundnuts, chillies, chickens and goats from the countryside are exchanged for tools, colourful cloth, soap powder, plastic and metal pots and pans from the towns. Hordes of vultures gather along with the people to scavenge what they can. Most of the villages are prettier and cleaner than the squatter towns that surround the cities, but access to the benefits of modern life is much more limited. Conditions in the towns, though far from good, are considerably better than conditions in the villages. Ninety-three per cent of the urban population has access to safe drinking water, compared to 35 per cent of the rural population. Sanitation and health provisions are twice as good in the towns as in the countryside. The infant and child death rates are also lower in the towns. Village dwellers are unlikely ever to see a doctor and rely for medication on roving salesmen who pass through the villages on their bicycles with a case full of medicines strapped to the saddle. They sell aspirin, quinine, antibiotics and ointments. Education is also much more limited in the countryside. In a prosperous village or small town in the south, there may be several teachers to a concrete school building with several classrooms under a sturdy corrugated roof, filled with desks and chairs. But in the countryside one or two teachers, in classrooms with disintegrating mud -walls and leaky thatched roofs filled with rickety benches, may serve several villages. Children may get only two or three hours a day of schooling. Often they have to leave after primary school. A child who wants to go on to secondary school will have travel to the nearest town, possible several hundred kilometres away. Only two thirds of Ghanaians can read and write, but people are very excited about getting educated. Transport and communications

Railway lines connect Accra, Teme, Kumasai, Sekondi-Takoradi and the mining areas, and are used for transporting heavy freight. Most of the main towns and cities are now connected by metalled roads, though the quality of these depends on their age and their importance. There has been a massive effort to improve roads in the last five years. Some foreign aid has helped. There are now good quality roads on the Ghana section of the Trans-Africa Highway running between the Cote d'Ivoire and Togo borders via Takoradi, Cape Coast and Accra; the Kumasi-Cape Coast road has recently been rebuilt with aid from Japan; and the Kumasi-Tamale road. Most people rely on major transport to travel any distance. Mammy-wagons carry large numbers of people to work in towns from the outlying shanty-towns and villages. Mammy-wagons are wooden frames on a lorry chassis. Often they have names on their head boards like "No Worries, Time Changes", "Allah Saves" and "The Lord is My Fortress". The Mammy-wagons are being replaced by coaches and buses which carry people, often packed in like sardines, over longer distances. Taxis carry people around the towns and cities. Trucks carry freight to and from the ports and between the towns and cities. People who can afford it buy their own cars, and large hoardings advertise off- the- road vehicles. You need these kind of cars to survive the terrain beyond the main, metalled roads. The telephone network does not reach beyond the main towns and cities. But there is a growing market among entrepreneurs and the better-off for the mobile phones advertised on large billboards around Accra and Kumasi. Life in Ghana, for people living in the urban or rural areas, is not easy. The low level of development means that most people do not have access to many of the things that people in this country take for granted. Things like electricity and running water or health care and education are hard to come by in Ghana. Anyone who visits Ghana, though, will be struck by the optimism that Ghanaians have for their country. They want Ghana to become a modern, developed country. The names on the stalls that line the roadsides express the Ghanaians' hopes for the future: Success Brings Happiness Saloon, Chez Juliette Beauty Salon, Engineering Enterprises Ltd.Sometimes we think that people in the underdeveloped world are better off without modern technology. But not many Ghanaians think so. They want access to computers, mobile phones, good cars and other forms of high technology as quickly as possible so that life can become more than just a struggle for survival for the vast majority of people. Urban Ghana: Facts and Figures

Most of Ghana 's population of 17,690000 live and work in rural areas(the countryside). Only a little over a third of the population lives in urban areas (the towns and cites). The capital, Accra, is home to about 1 million people and the region around Accra (Greater Accra) is the most densely populated in the country with 1 78 100 people in 2592 sq km. The other major urban areas are Kumasi (385 200), Tamale (151 100), Tema 110 000) and Sekondi -Takoardi (103 600). The urban population grew at a rate 4.1 % in the 1980s. That was a lower rate of growth than in the 70s (5.2%) and the 60s (4.6%). Most towns are in the south of the country, in the triangular area formed by Accra, Takoradi and Kumasi, where the population density reaches 400 people for every square kilometre. The average population density nationally is 63 people for every square kilometre. In the rural North, there are 17 people for every square kilometre and in the Volta Basin there are only ten Ghanaians for every square kilometre. Nearly half of all town dwellers live in the two largest towns of Accra and Kumasi. Nearly two-thirds of the urban population live in slums or shantytowns.

13/04/2021

16/11/2011

You can volunteer at primary and secondary schools in one of three villages in Ghana. The schools lack teachers and are in need of volunteers. There are around 300-400 students at each school but only 15-20 teachers. Therefore class sizes are very big.k Volunteers are sought after to teach English, science, mathematics, geography, or even vocational skills. if really love to be a volunteer just email us on [email protected] or call +233249627687 for more information

08/11/2011

Place in history

Yaa Asantewaa remains a much-loved figure in Asante history and the history of Ghana as a whole for the courage she showed in confronting injustice during the colonialism of the British. To highlight the importance of encouraging more female leaders in Ghanaian society, the Yaa Asantewaa Girls' Secondary School was established at K*masi in 1960 with funds from the Ghana Educational Trust.

In 2000, week-long centenary celebrations were held in Ghana to acknowledge Yaa Asantewaa's accomplishments. As part of these celebrations, a museum was dedicated to her at Kwaso in the Ejisu-Juaben District on August 3, 2000. Unfortunately, a fire there on July 23, 2004, destroyed several historical items including her sandals and battle dress seen in the photograph above.[3] The current Queen-mother of Ejisu is Yaa Asantewaa II. A second Yaa Asantewaa festival was held August 1–5, 2006, in Ejisu.

08/11/2011

The rebellion and its aftermath

Beginning in March 1900, the rebellion laid siege to the fort at K*masi where the British had sought refuge. The fort still stands today as the K*masi Fort and Military Museum. After several months, the Gold Coast governor eventually sent a force of 1,400 to quell the rebellion. During the course of this, Queen Yaa Asantewaa and 15 of her closest advisers were captured, and they too were sent into exile to the Seychelles.[2] The rebellion represented the final war in the Anglo-Asante series of wars that lasted throughout the 19th Century. On January 1, 1902, the British were finally able to accomplish what the Asante army had denied them for almost a century, and the Asante empire was made a protectorate of the British crown. Yaa Asantewaa died in exile on October 17, 1921. Three years after her death, on December 27, 1924, Prempeh I and the other remaining members of the exiled Asante court were allowed to return to Asante. Prempeh I made sure that the remains of Yaa Asantewaa and the other exiled Asantes were returned for a proper royal burial. Yaa Asantewaa's dream for an Asante free of British rule was realized on March 6, 1957, when the Asante protectorate gained independence as part of Ghana, the first African nation to achieve this feat.

08/11/2011

Prelude to rebellion

During her brother's reign, Yaa Asantewaa saw the Asante Confederacy go through a series of events that threatened its future, including civil war from 1883 to 1888. When her brother died in 1894, Yaa Asantewaa used her right as Queen Mother to nominate her own grandson as Ejisuhene. When the British exiled him in the Seychelles in 1896, along with the King of Asante Prempeh I and other members of the Asante government, Yaa Asantewaa became regent of the Ejisu-Juaben District. After the deportation of Prempeh I, the British governor-general of the Gold Coast, Frederick Hodgson, demanded the Golden Stool, the symbol of the Asante nation. This request led to a secret meeting of the remaining members of the Asante government at K*masi, to discuss how to secure the return of their king. There was a disagreement among those present on how to go about this. Yaa Asantewaa, who was present at this meeting, stood and addressed the members of the council with these now-famous words:
“ Now I see that some of you fear to go forward to fight for our king. If it [was] in the brave days of Osei Tutu, Okomfo Anokye, and Opoku Ware, chiefs would not sit down to see their king to be taken away without firing a shot. No European could have dared speak to chiefs of Asante in the way the governor spoke to you this morning. Is it true that the bravery of Asante is no more? I cannot believe it. It cannot be! I must say this: if you, the men of Asante, will not go forward, then we will. We, the women, will. I shall call upon my fellow women. We will fight! We will fight till the last of us falls in the battlefields.[1] ”

With this, she took on leadership of the Ashanti Uprising of 1900, gaining the support of some of the other Asante nobility

08/11/2011

Yaa Asantewaa (c. 1840 – October 17, 1921) (pronounced YAH A-san-TO-wah) was appointed Queen Mother of Ejisu (Asante Confederacy)—now part of modern-day Ghana—by her brother Nana Akwasi Afrane Okpese, the Ejisuhene (ruler of Ejisu). In 1900 she led the Ashanti rebellion known as the War of the Golden Stool against British colonialism.

08/11/2011

Yaa Asantewaa
(c.1850-c.1920)
Yaa Asantewaa was the queen mother of the Edweso tribe of the Asante (Ashanti) in what is modern Ghana. At the time, the Gold Coast (west-central Africa) was under the British protectorate. The British supported their campaigns against the Asante with taxes levied upon the local population. In addition, they took over the state-owned gold mines thus removing considerable income from the Asante government. Missionary schools were also established and the missionaries began interfering in local affairs.

When the Asante began rebelling against the British rule, the British attempted to put down the unrests. Furthermore, the British governor, Lord Hodgson, demanded that the Asante turn over to them the Golden Stool, i.e. the throne and a symbol of Asante independence. Capt. C. H. Armitage was sent out to force the people to tell him where the Golden Stool was hidden and to bring it back. After going from village to village with no success, Armitage found at the village of Bare only the children who said their parents had gone hunting. In response, Armitage ordered the children to be beaten. When their parents came out of hiding to defend the children, he had them bound and beaten, too.

This brutality was the instigation for the Yaa Asantewaa War for Independence which began on March 28, 1900. Yaa Asantewaa mobilized the Asante troops and for three months laid siege to the British mission at the fort of K*masi. The British had to bring in several thousand troops and artillery to break the siege. Also, in retaliation, the British troops plundered the villages, killed much of the population, confiscated their lands and left the remaining population dependent upon the British for survival. They also captured Queen Yaa Asantewaa whom they exiled along with her close companions to the Seychelle Islands off Africa's east coast, while most of the captured chiefs became prisoners-of-war. Yaa Asantewaa remained in exile until her death twenty years later.

07/11/2011

30 kids to get new smiles this week

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Johannesburg - Thirty children will undergo free facial reconstructive surgery this week, the Smile Foundation said on Monday.

"Apart from cleft lip and palate repairs, numerous other reconstructive surgical procedures will take place during this week," the Smile Foundation and Kulula airline said in a joint statement.

The surgeries, to be carried out at the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, would also include three facial reanimation surgeries.

The facial reanimation surgeries would be performed by Professor George Psaras, medical director of The Smile Foundation, and a team from the department of plastic and reconstructive surgery at the University of Witwatersrand.

Facial reanimation involves the grafting of muscle from the inner thigh into the cheek.

Microsurgery is then conducted to attach the veins, nerves and arteries.

An amount of R800 000 had been raised so far through donations of between R20 to R200 from customers buying Kulula air tickets online.

Enough money was raised to help 60 children over the next two weeks.

07/11/2011

Sick and smiling kids from Sierra Leone, Vest Africa
13 11 2009

After I returned back from Sierra Leone I made the blog post – Back from Sierra Leone. And i started to see a trend in my blog statistics. A lot of search result are clicking in with searches combinations like “ happy smiling african kid” or “happy children Sierra Leone” or “Malnutrition children sick” I have been thinking about how to react to this, and I though I would showcase some more of the different photos I have laying around that shows exactly that. Since I made that blog post, different people have contacted me in order to use one or more of the photos for various things. I like it an,d it shows how the web 2.0 is working as it should. One of them is “DJ Ino” who choose to use it as a front cover for his CD. check him out Here.

I received this fine little danish poem for the previous post about assistens kirkegården. It´s made by a very good friend of mine, a good writer with a good heart! Louise Rosengreen, She is blogging in danish at this link

07/11/2011

07/11/2011

Free accommodation in Ghana or volunteer free: What do you think?
This idea hit me about the same time the storm hit last night and while I was feeling a little malaria-ish. Ish. Not too bad. Better now. Not sure what it was, just the usual symptoms, but mild. Anyway. This is jus an idea.

Free accommodation you say? Free hotels?

Well, I'm throwing this idea out to you, feisty folks.

Visitors to Ghana: What do you think about a kind of host/exchange stay network in which you would get to stay for a nominal, small fee in the homes of Ghanaians while traveling around Ghana? The basic idea is to stay with a family or individuals (hmmm, potential issues) and show them how to do something. Stay/exchange, basically.

Ghanaians: What do you think about the idea of hosting visitors for a nominal fee to cover the basics, but they are obliged to teach you something that you want to know about in exchange for the very low cost?

Hosts might want to know how to start a blog, how to type, how to format a PC, how to write an email, how to fix a car or build a new summer hut. These are skills that visiting travelers may have and be willing to offer families in exchange for staying with them.You'd tick boxes to say what skills you'd want and someone looking for rooms could work out their plans by checking out where they could help out.

07/11/2011

The usual suspects in the natural coily hair love include the following notable figures in our community: Kojo Antwi, Samini, Lydia Forson, Amanziba, Wanluv Kubolor, Mensa, King Ayisoba, Ann Sekyi(Presenter), Anna Bossman(Human Rights lawyer).

In an effort to create a database of positive Afrocentric images, I will continue to congratulate these stars who make being African look so good. In this article you will learn about the countless hair ranges of our people and also the emerging generation of celebrities that make styling thick kinky hair fun.

Cosmetologists hair of all races according to its texture so for instance if you are a native of Papua New Guinea or a native of Israel you could have hair described similar in the cosmetic sense. What is taken into consideration is the overall tendencies of the hair, example; naturally straight hair would be labeled as 1, 2 or 3c; the latter being closure to a wavy kinky texture.

The label shared the most among us Africans is that of 4a/b which is in order from coily thinness to coily thickness. Now the interesting thing about the human body is that one head of hair can have up to 7strands of different textures making it possible for someone to have thickness in the front as opposed to a wavy kinky texture in the back of the head.

In the past you’ve learned about the proper way to grow healthy hair on GhanaCelebrities.Com which is why I’m excited to present to you examples of notable figures from Ghana who choose to embrace the natural state of their hair.

Known for her motivational and prodigy background in music, Bibie Brew has beautiful locks that she once in a while will wrap as we saw when she became a judge in MTN’s Project Fame(alas we got a chance to see the length of her hair in the film Life and Living It).

New Afro-beat musical darling Dorcas Yeboah came on the scene in our television reality singing shows and was quickly noted for her powerful voice with natural long coily hair. She wraps her hair now but I can only describe it in the same vein as the youngest child, Rudy in The Cosby Show.

The “Welcome to My Humble Home” singer Elivava not only dresses in costume made afro-centric inspired modern clothing but she rocks the threading hairstyles we west Africans are known for.

Source: http://www.ghanacelebrities.com/2010/10/03/fashion-lifestyle-ghanas-afrocentric-dons-and-divas

07/11/2011

Fashion & Lifestyle: Ghana’s Afrocentric Dons And Divas ______________________________________________________________________________ If you intend to copy this article to use on your website/blog, do what is ethical by LINKING BACK TO US else we will via your website host ask for the article to be removed from your site as required by copyright laws. 7

07/11/2011

Ghana Wildlife Excursion
Mole National Park and Paga Crocodile Pond

Elephants in Mole National ParkTake the opportunity to travel and experience some of Ghana’s hidden gems after your Quest. You can add this excursion to two great sites at a bargain price.

Mole National Park

Ghana’s largest national park is situated in the heart of the pristine Guinea Savannah Woodland ecosystem. The park features a wide range of wildlife, including about 93 species of mammals (elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, kob, hartebeest, baboon, hyena, and more), more than 344 species of birds, and about 33 species of reptiles. Don't miss the famous “Onipa Nua” and “Action”-- the elephants who don’t mind posing with people for pictures.

Paga Crocodile Farm

Situated in the Upper East Region of Ghana, this famous pond is filled with some of the biggest crocodiles in the world. According to history and some myth, one of the ancient crocodiles of this pond saved the life of the first man who settled in the area, by leading him to the pond to quench his thirst after a long journey. The man then declared the pond sacred, and decreed that the crocodiles should be treated as royals. To this day, it's taboo to harm or kill these reptiles.

Crocodiles from the Paga Crocodile Far,The crocodiles here are remarkably tame, and their friendly interactions with humans baffle the minds of many people. It's believed that the soul of every native of this village has a corresponding crocodile in the pond.

You can touch, caress or even "sit" on these reptiles. It is the only place on the planet where you can pose for your memorable photos, sitting and holding the tail of some of the biggest reptiles in the world.

07/11/2011

Ghana Volunteer Quests
You can help rural communities in Ghana, and enjoy the warmth and spark of the local families

"As soon as I got off the plane in Ghana I felt at home. Teaching in Putubiw and Biakpa was challenging yet rewarding beyond my expectations. I jumped head first into this experience and came out with a new sense of the world and a new outlook on life."

--Rachel Crowder, Short-term volunteer in Ghana

07/11/2011

how are you all doing today ... well i ma back on here to update the page . and tell you more about Africa

05/11/2011

DOES ANY OF YOU LIKE TO COME TO GHANA FOR TOURISM THEN CALL THOMAS ON 00233249627687 OR EMAIL HIM ON [email protected] , for more information

05/11/2011

Funky destinations

Wli Waterfalls and Mount Afadjato in the Volta region.
Kakum National Park in Ankasa Forest, in the Central Region
Buabeng - Flema Monkey Sanctuary, in Brong Ahafo Region
Paga Crocodile Ponds, Bolgatanga
The new national Cultural Center at Manhyia Palace Museum in K*masi in the Ashanti Region.
The Cape Coast Castle, Elmina and other coastal forts and castles.
The Mole and the Bui Game Reserves, in the Northern Region.

Due to these measures, tourism is Ghana’s fastest growing industry at up to about 16% annually and has become its third largest foreign exchange earner, after gold and cocoa. Tourist arrivals jumped from about 85,000 in 1995 to 304,860 in 1997 and 325, 438 in 1998. Revenue from tourism increased more that fifteen fold during the period.

05/11/2011

APRIL
Most villages and towns in the Volta and Eastern Regions celebrate festivals during Easter.

MAY
The 1st Saturday is the famous Aboakyer Festival in Winneba
Donkyi festival at Mamase, Brong Ahafo Region
Don at Bolgatanga, Upper East Region and
Beng at Sonyo Kipo near Bole, Northern Region.

JUNE
Ohumkan at Kyebi;
Asafua feast at Sekondi;
Ahukan of the Akim, Kibi; Gyenpren at Tafo;
Ahobaa at Enyan-Kakraba, and
Apiba at Senya Beraku, Central Region;

JULY
Ist Tuesday is the Bakatue Festival in Elmina, Central Region;
Bombei, Ekyem Kofi, and
The Kundum, Western Region.

AUGUST
1st Sat. is Asafotu - Fiam at Ada, Eastern Region
Homowo in and around Accra, Greater Accra Region;
Fetu at Cape Coast, and
Eguado To and Ahobaa Kese at Abura, Central Region
Edim Kese at sekondi, and
Apatwa, Dixcove, Western Region.

SEPTEMBER
Ist Sat. is Fetu Afahye Festival, Cape Coast; Central Region,
Odwira Festival in Akropong, Amanokrom
And Aburi, Eastern Region
Akyempem at Agona, Ashanti Region.

OCTOBER
Kundum at Esiama,Western Rgion

NOVEMBER
Hogbetsotso, Volta Region;
Adae Kese, the grandest of all Ashanti festivals in K*masi
Fae, harvest feast at Paga, Upper East Region;
Kafie Festival, Dormaa Brong-Ahafo.

DECEMBER
Yam Festival at Anfoega, Volta Region.

05/11/2011

Travellers’ Cheques
All banks and Forex Bureau accept travellers’ Cheques although the rate of exchange may be slightly lower than in a cash transaction.

Credit Cards
The most widely accepted credit cards are American Express, Diners, and Visa. Your card may be used for payment at nearly all airlines, leading hotels, and major supermarkets.

Hotel
Ghana offers a wide range of hotel accommodation for her growing economy and tourist industry: cosmopolitan, metropolitan, town and country hotels and park lodges of varying comfort, elegance and convenience abound. Ghana’s hotels are classified according to international star rating system with 5 star as the highest and one star the minimum internationally acceptable quality. In addition, there are local budget hotels.

Culture
Centuries of tradition of the people of Ghana and the diversity of the distinct ethnic groups have created a rich culture that is the splendid legacy of modern Ghana.

To the people of Ghana, the traditions of their ancestors are still an important part of their daily life. Traditional chiefs have historical authority over tribal and family matters. They are also custodians of land belonging to their respective clans or groups.

The nation’s diverse culture is depicted through its many exciting festivals, which are held throughout the year. These reflect the rich history and culture of tribal life in the regions.

FESTIVALS
Throughout Ghana, practically every town and village becomes animated with excitement at festival time. Visitors are often welcomed into homes to share drinks and meals and are given traditional clothes to wear so they can join in the street celebrations. Each festival commemorates an event, a war, puberty rites or harvest. Adherents of whatever religion participate without inhibition in these festivals. Filming and photography are allowed.

Many festivals are celebrated in Ghana. In fact every tribe or clan has a festival it celebrates. These are some of the festivals celebrated in Ghana.

JANUARY
Apafram of the Akwamu, Eastern Region;
The Rice Festival of Akpafu, Volta Region and
The Begum of Walewale, Tamale and yendi

FEBRUARY
Papa Festival in K*mawu, Ashanti Region

MARCH
Asikoe in Anfoega, Volta Rgion;
Volo in the Akuse area;
Damba of Dagbon in the Northern Region
Dipo at Manya and Yilo Krobo, Eastern Region

05/11/2011

This friendly and stable multi-party democratic republic on Africa's west coast enjoys an expanding and vibrant economy built on gold, precious minerals, cocoa, timber and tourism. Ghana is also rapidly developing an economy and infrastructure that should see her join the newly industrialized economies shortly. Ghana practices a liberalised economy with a floating currency and a wide use of foreign exchange bureau.

Ghana has attractive investment incentive and guarantees for local and foreign investors. What makes Ghana unique is its history and heritage portraying its coastal castles, grim relics of the slave trade and its many regional festivals. All these are becoming a focus for eco-tourism. As such, in 2001, Eco-fest, the first ever, was held in Ghana.

Ghana has hundreds of kilometers of unspoilt beaches, over 10, 000 hotel rooms in about 703 hotels, including 3, 4, 5 star hotels. There are top class restaurants, wildlife parks, and safe streets.

Undisputedly, Ghana's greatest asset is its people who are renowned the world over for their warmth, cheerfulness, and hospitality.

Ghana’s tourist Development Plan has produced far-reaching consequences.

With the holding of the African – African American Summit in 2001, government has in 2002 granted dual citizenship to its citizens residing outside the country. Also visa and airport formalities have been simplified, restrictions on movements within the country abolished and currency exchange facilities at market rates introduced through out the country. The country’s political stability and low crime rate makes it one of the safest destinations in Africa.

Ghana has modern telecommunication facilities as well as first class seaports and a modernized international airport in Accra. Recent development of modern hotels, convention facilities and theatres has made Ghana Africa's newest tourist and convention destination with Europe and the United States as its biggest markets. Kotoka Airport in Accra seems set to become a significant hub linking flights between these areas with much of West, East and Southern Africa.

Several international airlines, including Ghana Airways, operate regular scheduled flights to Ghana from major cities in North America, Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Apart from the international airports Ghana also has domestic airports in K*masi, Sunyani, and Tamale. There are two harbours in Tema and Tarkoradi and an inland port in Fumesua in the Ashanti Region.

Visas
Visas are required for entry into Ghana. Ghana missions and Embassies abroad will assist in issuing individual as well as group visas. Visas are also obtainable on arrival at the port of entry.

Health Requirements

Please do not forget to bring your health certificate, to show that you have yellow fever vaccination. You are also advised to consult your doctor well in advance of your visit so that you may begin the usual anti-malarial treatment.

Climate
Bounded on the South by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by La Cote d`Ivoire, the east by Togo and the north by Burkina Faso, Ghana is a tropical country. Its southwestern part is located within the warm wet forest zone similar to the Amazon. Accra, the capital, is located in the dry equatorial zone. K*masi is in the wet semi-equatorial region while further north is the tropical continental savanna. It lies between 4o and 11o North of the equator and has a coastline of 540 km. Northern Ghana has a rainy season from about April to October. The rest of the year is hot and dry, with temperatures up to about 38o C. In Southern Ghana the rains last from April to June and again from September to October. Generally temperatures are between 2lo ~32o C.

Currency
Ghana’s currency is the cedi (¢) and pesewas, which comes in denominations of ¢100, ¢200, ¢500, ¢1000, ¢5000. Coins come in denominations of ¢10, ¢20, ¢50, ¢100, ¢20O ¢500 and10, 20, 50 and 100 pesewas. Foreign currency can be freely exchanged at any Forex Bureau in the country. Apart from Forex Bureau, some commercial banks also exchange foreign currency. Banks are normally open from 8:30am to 2:00pm, Monday through Thursday and until 3:00pm on Friday.

05/11/2011

Description

Kente cloth weaver photo

The traditional and cultural heartland of the country is the Ashanti region, home to the nation's dominant tribe, the Ashanti, who are most famous today for their craftwork and ancient artistry in fabrics, particularly the colourful kente cloth.

05/11/2011

Description

Cape Coast beach photo

The Central region is famous for its palm-fringed beaches.

05/11/2011

Description

Cape Coast Castle photo

The Cape Coast Castle is a UNESCO World Heritage Monument, with heavy fortifications and cannons pointing out to sea.