Ghana was once called the slave coast, then changed to Gold Coast.... but I call it home. Ghana is in West Africa and I am proud to call it my homeland. I was raised there from the age of 3 to the age of 9 and it’s a place where I have a lot of fond memories. The music, the happy faces of the people, the energy and of course the endless amount of food on display from market to market just makes my heart smile.
When I go back I always stay in the capital, Accra it’s a bustling city that’s near the coast. It has popular seafront spot, an energetic nightlife and busy markets with lots of cultural appeal. Its crazy how a place where I call home has now become a popular tourist destination especially when Christmas comes around. Ghana is a proper vibe in December the music is pumping, the parties are never ending and the events during the festive period are epic. Although I was raised there and I go back every now and then, Ghana has a lot of hidden gems that I have yet to discover.
When I went to Ghana I took the opportunity to go to places that I had never been before.
TOP TIP:
If you are planning on going to Ghana during Christmas make sure you book at least 8 -9 months in advance as tickets are pricey closer to the time.
Where to stay:
If you are staying in Accra then you have a few options
Cantoments is an affluent suburb of the Ghanaian city Accra and you have a number of restaurants around the area.
East Legon is one of the best places to have fun and its buzzing at night time.
Spintex Road is a vibrant travel destination in the colourful city of Accra its within reasonable distance to all the main spots in the capital.
CONTENT AT A GLANCE
1. Visit Independent Square
One of the first things you have to do is visit Independent Square, the square is a reflection of Ghana's history and past struggles. You have to visit the black star square if you are in Accra its not too far from Kwame Nkrumah memorial park the views are INSANE!
Black star square was built in 1961 and guess who commissioned it yes you’ve guessed it Kwame Nkrumah. The independent square is a public square with iconic monuments littered within the heart of the square. My advice would be to book this with a tour guide or a tour operator as they can give you more of a historical context behind each monument and place of interest. The tour includes a trip to Dr Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, Market which can be Accra Arts Market or Makola Market, Food, Web Du Bois plus much more. The tour guide took me to Black star gate, the independence arch and liberation day monument. Here you can take some banging pictures whilst soaking in incredible views of the city’s skyline. Its great to go and see where major events such as independence day takes place.
2. Visit Dr Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park
For those that are not familiar with late great Kwame Nkrumah, he was the Ghanaian president that led Gold Coast to independence in 1957. The reason why I booked this tour was because I wanted to learn more about the man that led us to independence. Located in downtown Accra, Ghana is the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park and Mausoleum. The Mausoleum is the final resting place of Ghana’s first President and Africanist. The museum hosts rare artefacts relating to Ghana’s independence and tours at the park give visitors in-depth history of the Sub-saharan struggle for independence. His grave is also right in the heart of the memorial park.
Although I am Ghanaian there were a lot of informational facts about Dr Kwame Nkrumah that I didn’t even know until I did this tour. It gave me a new perspective on how he fought against the struggle which led us to independence. It’s also an amazing location to take pictures for the gram with monuments in the background.
The good thing bout this tour is that its not far from Independent Square and Accra Arts Market they are all within walking distance. To do this tour click HERE.
3. Visit Jamestown
Although Jamestown is one of Accra’s poorer neighbourhoods it is still a vibe. It’s a town with a lot of rich history and it has character. Remnants of its colonial past can be seen all around Jamestown the iconic red and white lighthouse and some of the buildings that were occupied by British and Dutch soldiers are still present until this day. Amongst all the colonial building there are still locals that reside in clapboard houses and corrugated iron shacks. The living conditions haven’t dampened the spirits of the locals that reside in this town they are full smiles and are very welcoming. I even got invited to sit with the elders and eat some kenkey, crab and pepper. If you like fish you can get it here in abundance because they are near the shores of Accra. If you are in Jamestown make sure you check out the street art and take lots of pictures.
Book this tour HERE.
4. Visit Accra Arts Market
Accra Arts market is one of Ghana’s capital main attraction it’s a vibrant market and a great place to get your hands on some authentic souvenir when you are in Ghana. Its situated about 5 minutes from Kwame Nkrumah Memorial park. Shop owners sell arts and crafts and the market is more focused on tourism. Everyone here is friendly and always greet you with a smile on your face. Remember to haggle and get a good price for whatever item you are looking to purchase. This is a one of the many enjoyable experiences in Ghana, you can watch many craftsman creating their crafts including masks, figurines, drums and bags. I would advise that you go with a tour guide as they will help you navigate your way through the vendors and marketplace.
For a tour of the local markets in Ghana you can book HERE.
5. Visit Web Du Bois Museum
For those that do not know of the late great Web Du Bois he was an American who strongly protested against lynching, Jim Crow laws, and discrimination in education and employment. His cause included fighting for freedom for people of colour everywhere, particularly Africans and Asians in colonies.
Web Du Bois was very fond of Ghana he moved there at the age of 93 and built himself a home and when he passed he demanded to be buried at the complex. Today, they have turned his home into a museum to commemorate the late great Web Du Bois. Here you get a tour guide who narrates the remarkable life of Web Du Bois. The complex has captivating green lawns and beautiful landscape gardens. There’s also a museum which contains some of his prized possessions and artifacts that is dedicated to the life of web du Bois.
I genuinely loved this place because its like you’ve stepped back in time and the complex although some parts have been slightly renovated there are still some parts that has managed to retain some of its original charm. You gain an understanding of Web Du Bois strong beliefs when it came to Pan Africanism and his fight to end segregation.
You can book a tour to explore Web Du Bois Museum HERE.
6. Eat on a grounded Airplane
La Tante is a DC10 that operates from the defunct Ghana airways DC10 carrier is located at
airport city in Accra. This is the first airplane restaurant not only to be established in Ghana but in Africa. Its definitely got that vibe as if one is about to take off and go to another country. You walk up a flight off stairs to the entrance the airstair is still built into an aircraft
so it feels that passengers are boarding to depart. Once you get to the main entrance you are greeted by an air hostess who escorts you to your seat all this adds to unique experience as if though one is sitting in first class if you’ve never sat in first class you defo need to go here if you are in Ghana Accra.
7. Go to a Ghanaian Buffet
If you are in Ghana, Accra you will get food in abundance, and one place you definitely have to put on your places to eat is Buka Restaurant. Its located in Osu, Accra. Their restaurant is an evocative description of the excitement and lifestyle of the African landscape. The calm and scenic setting sets the tone, and a taste of their meals completes the enthralling Buka culinary experience. They serve everything from jellof to freshly pounded fufu with soup.
Quick Tip:
On Sundays they do a buffet meal all you can eat. You get to feast on Waakye, Jollof, Yam, Plantain, Fufu, Kenke, the list goes on.
I ate until my stomach couldn’t take it no more this place is definitely a place where you go on a Sunday, chop and get an uber home to sleep it off.
8. Go to Labadi Beach
If you are tired of the fast-paced cosmopolitan life that Accra can bring upon you then a stroll down Labadi Beach is definitely a vibe its known as one of the busiest and most beautiful beaches in Accra. You can choose to chill and watch the waves roll in or you can stroll and get on a horse or quadbikes. Night time is when Labadi Beach comes alive, the music is blazing and you can eat , shisha and chill whilst watching the sunset. If you are lucky you get to witness some free entertainment. I was lucky enough to see one guy swallow a ball of fire and spit it back out to create a fireball. Yes Labadi can be a chilled one or a lively one it depends what kind of mood you are in.
9. Go to a Nightclub in Accra
Ghana is making a name for itself as one of the best spots for nightlife especially if you are based in Accra. Ghana during Christmas is lively you can feel the buzz on every corner. Where ever you go music will be blazing loud and long queues are inevitable getting into your favourite club can at times be a problem. My advice would be to go early or book a table so that your entrance into the club is secured. Ghana nightlife is a proper vibe this is why it has been crowned Detty December because, partying in Accra can become an extreme sport. This is not for the faint hearted if you are someone who loves sleep then stay away from the nightlife otherwise you’ll be suffering from insomnia. The high energy nightlife is slowly becoming the cornerstone of Accra’s culture. You can’t go to Ghana without hitting up at least one of these spots in Accra
The Clubs to go to:
Bloom Bar- Great atmosphere in an open space, with great music selection and the staff are very friendly however it does get overcrowded with very little space to try and shake a leg.
Twist – It has a good range of music and another place to consider if Bloom bar gets too packed out.
Garage Lounge – Has a captivating interior the minute you walk in you are greeted by colourful umbrellas that are hung up high above the ceiling. However, there are a lot of tables and it does make it hard to vibe in your own space. This club does get packed but I can see why the music is good and the atmosphere is lit.
10. Do a Food Tour in Accra
If you applied to be on Love Island with your abs intact then avoid going to Ghana at all cost, eating is something that you can’t stop doing when you are in Ghana. Ghana has a range of dishes to offer when it comes to their cuisine. It differs from North to South and East to West. When you are in Accra you just have to take the opportunity and eat everything in sight. My advice would be to get a tour guide to take you around, I always say that a local knows the hidden gems and finest dishes to eat whilst you are in Ghana. Fortunately for me I was able to collaborate with a foodie who's become a household name in Ghana Mz Dru and we manage to eat our way through Accra whilst vlogging. If you want to know where to go and eat I will put it in my next blog post. You have to eat, kenke, fufu, bofrot, kelewele, chicken wings, jellof, yam the list goes on.
11. Visit Aburi Botanical Gardens
If you want to get out of Accra for some fresh tropical air then you have to go to Aburi Botannical Gardens. Aburi Botannical Garden is a garden in Aburi in eastern region of Ghana its about 40 minutes from the city of Accra. It has beautiful green landscapes and breath-taking views of its rich ecosystem in Akuapen Hills. Again if you want to get a real authentic experience I would advise on getting a local or booking through a tour operator.
At Aburi botanical Gardens Aburi Botanic Garden has had many roles over the years including plant introduction and teaching scientific methods of agriculture but today is one of the world's 1,800 botanic gardens leading the fight to save plant diversity through, research, conservation of medicinal plants, plant multiplication, horticulture training and
environmental education.
You get tour guide who gives fascinating facts about the trees and how resourceful the ecosystem is for us.
Whilst you are there you have to visit the tree of life its one of the most beautiful trees in Aburi botanical Gardens, it’s a tree that has been carved out by Kofi Sale. It is a visual representation on leadership, interpersonal relationships, living in harmony with nature and more. Take time to indulge in the beauty of this tree and take lots of pictures because it is truly a creative masterpiece. They also have suya kebabs on the grill at the main entrance its quite cheap so once you finish your tour you can chill and feast on some delicious suya kebab.
If you want to book this tour and cap it off with suya click HERE.
12. Visit Asenema Waterfall
Asenema Waterfall is one of the hidden gems in the rainforest of the Akuapem Hills, outside of Accra, and north of Aburi, its one of the most accessible waterfalls in Ghana. Most of the waterfalls you have to hike or walk for about an hour before you get to the actual waterfall but this one its only 5 minutes’ walk . I went with a tour operator and they were very good at explaining about the local surroundings and where the waterfall is situated. You have to walk on a trail to the waterfall the journey there is a short one but once the trail ends the waterfall emerges beyond the trees and it’s a parting waterfall that rushes over the cliff and falls into a bed of water below. This waterfall is incredibly beautiful. You can take lots of pictures without anyone bothering you or without having to rush it’s a private waterfall and not many tourists go there.
To book this tour click HERE.
Quick Tip:
Take swimming trunks and slides I made the mistake of only taking my trunks and not taking spare clothes.
13. Visit Tetteh Quarshie Cocoa Farm
If you have a sweet tooth like me then you have to go Tetteh Quarshie cocoa farm is one of Ghana’s main tour attraction about an hour away from Accra. I highly recommend that you book this with a tour operator transportation is covered. This place was where the origins of chocolate began. At this cocoa farm you get to discover the man who brought Cocoa beans to Akuapim Mampong in 1876 which is located about an hour away from Accra city centre. Whilst your there you get to understand how coca beans are harvested and learn more about Tetteh Quarshie, the Ghanaian agriculturalist who was directly responsible for the introduction of cocoa crops to Ghana. At Tetteh Quarshie cocoa farm, you learn the process that goes into producing cocoa beans. Due to Tetteh Quarshie’s innovation, today it constitutes as one of the major export crops in the Ghanaian economy. Here you get to indulge in some of the finest chocolates produced at Tetteh Quarshie’s cocoa farm.
To book this tour click HERE .
14: Visit Kakum National Park
Kakum national park is a World Heritage Site, it is located 21 miles from Cape Coast and its near a village called Abrafo. It is accessible by taxi and it is about an hour away from Accra City Centre I went with a tour operator which included transportation, lunch and a tour to Cape Coast Castle. Usually when you do this tour it’s a 2 in 1 package given the fact that both tours are located within a reasonable distance so its better to kill 2 birds with one stone. Speaking of birds Kakum National park contain 100s of species when it comes to the ecosystem and the forest boasts many endangered species and rare animals such as Diana monkey. The forest is also famous for its canopy walkways. I really enjoyed this trip it was a brilliant way of conquering my fear of heights. The canopy walkways dangle above the trees and as you set pace on the narrow canopies it’s a little unsteady so one must grab the rope on either side so that you don’t lose balance this adds to the experience. There are a set of 8 canopies all of them offer amazing birds eye views of the forest as you go from one canopy to the next.
To book this tour click HERE
15. Visit Cape Coast Slave Castle
When I got to Ghana the first thing I said to myself was that I had to go and see Cape Coast Slave Castle For 2 simple reasons I wanted to understand the history and I wanted to go and see that part of Ghana. Its best to book this with a tour operator as payment to the tour operator also come with a guided tour of the slave castle. Cape coast is located central coastline of Ghana. The castle has so much history for all the wrong reasons. The castle was built by the Portuguese as a trading post, it then changed hands and the Swedish used it to trade Gold and timber and later involved in the transatlantic slave trade. Once you’re here you learn about the hardship of what the enslaved men and women had to endure under the British ruling. Whilst exploring the underground dungeons where 100s of slaves were held captive you get to understand the conditions the slaves were living in and it’s clear that they were living in confined spaces these dungeons were suffocating and harrowing. You also get to tour the European living quarters and upon observation it’s fair to say that they lived a luxurious life in comparison to the slaves experienced this can leave a bitter taste in your mouth. Last part of the tour was walking through the door of no return which I consider to be a triumph. For a long time the diaspora’s have been disenfranchised and the bonds have been severed by the events of transatlantic slavery. For diaspora to walk back through the door of no return this is a huge triumph as they are now able to reconnect with their ancestors in trying to gain an understanding in their cultural heritage and roots.
To book this insightful tour click HERE.
16. Go to Kumasi
When you are in Ghana you have to take the opportunity to go and visit the center of Ashanti region Kumasi. It’s quicker to get to Kumasi by air it takes around 40 to 50 minutes. Flight tickets are fairly cheap if you book in advance tickets can cost in the region of £30-£80 depending on when you book it. If you are on a budget then a coach from Accra to Kumasi will cost you no more than £10 it’s a 4 hour journey with breaks in between. Kumasi is the cultural hub of Ghana if you really want to get underneath the layers of this city then you have to book a tour with a local. I did one of these tours and I can honestly say that it was very insightful.
Places to visit whilst you are in Kumasi:
Prempeh 11 Jubilee museum this place really depicts the history and the culture of the ashanti’s and its because you get to tour around and marvel at the artefacts, war attire, jewellery accessories etc, relating to Ashanti King Prempeh 11. This is all kept in a courtyard this creates an intimate setting and adds to the experience and the walls are all decorated with carved symbols to commemorate the Ashanti king. Unfortunately whilst you are there you are not allowed to take pictures or videos but still a must go see place to go when you are in Kumasi.
Manyhia Palace which is a historical museum located in Kumasi. It provides an insight into the origins of the Ashanti tribe and their colonial wars that took place with the British in Ghana in late 1800s. This place serves to commemorate the Ashanti queens, kings and leaders. Whilst you are exploring the museum a tour guide will be there to narrate all the events that took place within the land of Ashanti. I love this place as you get visual timeline of the events that took place in the Ashanti kingdom.
Akomfo Anokye Sword Site is the place the sword was driven into the ground by Akomfo Anokye. Here you learn about first priest of the Ashanti empire and the sword which was driven into the ground almost 3000 years ago.
Kejetia Market This place is probably one of the busiest markets in Ghana yo can find everything there. Its an open-air market in the city of Kumasi.
Ike Café & Grill is a must place to visit for authentic local Ghanaian cuisine. Its charming restaurant with seating areas around an inner pond with a unique flavours and character.
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