Top 10 Things to do When Visiting Ghana for the First Time

Top 10 Things to do When Visiting Ghana for the First Time

Sights In Ghana

Despite the antagonistic general view the world has about the continent, it's safe to say there’s nowhere else like Africa. Today, we take you to Ghana and discuss places you can visit while traveling to the country affectionately tagged as, "the gateway of Africa."

Ghana Simply Means “Life-changing”

I’m talking about ALL types of change, from the moment you pass through Kotoka and inhale the hot humid air, to the endless stare from the indegenes, and the “akwaaba” services, you’ll develop a more open mind or build a daring attitude, to sample new cuisines and oh! less time glued to your smart-phone. But for the first time visitor, without absolute doubt, a trip to Ghana will stay with you forever. Here is what to be prepared for…

1) The Mole National Park

Mole National Park

Substantially less trodden by sightseers, the northern part of Ghana holds the nation's biggest natural wildlife park- The Mole National Park, which offers a noteworthy attract to nature sweethearts. It highlights the wild ox, elephants, and hippos among numerous others just as uncommon sightings of cheetah and different predators that moved unrestricted through the city.

2) The Larabanga Mosque

Larabanga Mosque

With its celebrated Sudano-Sahelian mosque, rich culture, vernacular design, and benevolent individuals, one can gladly say Larabanga is on Ghana's vacation trajectory. The main fascination that strikes a chord when the town is referenced is the well established Larabanga mosque. Notwithstanding, the town offers more touring spots to sightseers than simply the mosque which happens to be the oldest mosque in Ghana and one of the most established in West Africa. It is accepted to be built in the fourteenth century by a Saudi spiritual specialist who moved from Mecca to Larabanga. Incredibly, the mosque is constantly cool inside, notwithstanding when temperatures remain high outside. Directly by the mosque is a baobab tree accepted to be 500 years of age. As per history, the tree sprung up on the grave of the spiritual consultant and founder of Larabanga after his entombment.

3) Evening Hangouts

Hangouts In Accra

As a visitor to Ghana, you will discover many different ways to spend your moderate evenings. You may end up at Labadi Beach on Reggae Nights, which for the most part occur on a Wednesday. Don't hesitate to let you guard down and dance to the live band as the sun sets into the blue Atlantic. Or on the other hand, go through your evenings in Osu, otherwise called Oxford Street, which is the place where dignitaries concentrate. There's continually something occurring from Jazz clubs, to open-mic karaoke sessions. Otherwise let’s wind up in Cape Coast, at Oasis – on weekend nights, where nearby troupe re-establish oral traditions recieved from the Fante indegenes who settled there hundreds of years back. You will enjoy this!

4) Sight-Seeing

Sights In Ghana

For the cliches, visit Kakum National Park- the nerve-cracking, hand-woven walkway, and before you leave the suburb of Cape Coast, the castles will give you a deeper reflection of how slave trade begun here in the Gold Coast (former name for Ghana).

5) It's Time To Go Paragliding; In The Mountains. Shout Kwahu o kwahu!

Paragliding

During the Easter holidays, the eastern region is the place to be. Families from all around gather here with their loved ones to celebrate the festivities. Daring events like steep-descents, mountain climbing, hiking and paragliding do take place.

6) Clothing The Bonwire Way

Bonwire Knete

Ghanaian streets capes twirl with the brilliant and colored shades of the different textures available everywhere throughout the nation that would then be able to be changed into an attractive ensemble by a needle worker. The notable woven kente texture, initially made with orange string (and can be found underway at Bonwire in Kumasi), are currently accessible in numerous hues and furthermore imprinted on cotton. The Northern-Gonja material is additionally woven yet this time, layered in stripes not so much like the criss-cross example of kente.

7-8) Music And Art

Music and Art

With our rich cultural values, you will not miss the collaborative fine art of music and dance from students of the University Of Ghana-Legon or the seasonal Uncle Ebo Whyte plays at the National theater. The beautiful art galleries at Artists Alliance, Wild Gecko, Nubuke, Tija and Berj have exquisite carvings and are a must see. The Ghana International Book Fair which happens between July and September is the place to host book lovers, history seekers, author readings and among many other beautiful exposes.

9-10) I Guess You Are Hungry Now?

Ghana Food

Shall we do fufu with “abunubunu” accompanied with snails or the affectionate “gobe”, banku with tilapia is very good. Want to try Tuo Zaafi? Akple? Boiled yam with “abomu”? Better still if you’re lucky and you find yourself in a long-haul ride in a tro-tro (picture a large cargo van arranged with bench seating), the man sitting next to you will gladly say, “You’re invited”, holding out his bag of “kofi brokeman”(roasted ripe plantain with groundnuts). Ghanaians are hospitable, and everyone is eager to share what they have with you.

Overall, by the time you leave, you will definitely wish to be back for more adventures. Naagode!

About the Author

Max G.


Max takes a deep interest in the areas of Finance, Agriculture, and Technology. However, he enjoys writing because writing to him is an emotional journey. He believes in the future of Africa and hopes to connect you to the continent by bringing you the best expressive pieces.

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