Ghana is a nation in West Africa, and it is located along the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Guinea. Its capital is Accra, and it is one of the most famous nations in Africa for tourists. The country is known for its abundant gold deposits but more attractive are the fantastic dishes, spectacular sights, hospitable people, and the dazzling cultural displays.
Getting to Ghana
It is relatively easy to get to Ghana from any part of the globe. Tourists from outside Ghana can land at any of the main airports like the Kotoka International Airport, Kumasi International Airport, Takoradi Airport, and Tamale Airport. The busiest of these airports is the Kotoka International Airport, and it is located in Accra’s capital city.
Major airlines use airports in Ghana as their local or international hubs, so it is easy to book flights to Ghana from any continent. People who want to visit Ghana via the sea can use the seaports at Tema and Takoradi. For visitors from other neighboring African nations, they can travel down using any major intercontinental highways like the Trans-West African Coastal Highway.
Itinerary and Schedule
Day One – Arrive at Your Hotel and Relax
Here is the first leg of your spectacular adventure to Ghana. Kick it off by landing in Accra at your hotel, where you will enjoy the best of traditional Ghanaian hospitality. While in your hotel, take your time to relate with the locals and other tourists. Accra has so many world-class hotels, and you will not have any problem booking a comfortable room in any of them. Some of the top-rated hotels in Ghana include the Kempinski Hotel, Hill View Hotel, and Tropical Enclave Hotel.
Day Two – Tour the Capital City of Accra
Morning: Enjoy a light breakfast in your hotel and prepare to tour the wondrous city of Accra.
Afternoon: Proper tour of Accra city is what will dominate your afternoon. There are many tourist sites that you can explore. Some of the most famous places to visit in Accra include the following:
- Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park
- Casket Shop
- Independence Square
Commence your tour by paying a visit to the world-famous Casket Shop. This area is full of shops known for making caskets of different shapes, designs, and sizes. From caskets that look like fish to others that resemble an aircraft, you will see everything at the Casket Shop.
It is an exciting tradition in Ghana for people to be buried in caskets that have the shape that reflects the type of profession the person was engaged in. For instance, it is not uncommon to see a cobbler buried in a shoe-shaped coffin.
Press on with your tour by visiting the majestic Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum and Park, which houses the remains of the first president of Ghana, Kwame Nkrumah. While doing this, you will not miss the Independence Arch and the iconic Black Star Square at the very heart of Accra. From here, you can glance at the old presidential residence called the Christianburg Castle.
Evening: Stroll along the ever-busy streets of Accra and try any local delicacies like kenkey or banku. Check out one or two local restaurants and mix with the people. Ghanaians are very hospitable people and will be excited to have you around. Do this until it’s time for you to return to your hotel and enjoy your night rest.
Day Three – Leave Accra for Cape Coast
Early Morning: Now is the time for you to wake up early and proceed to the Cape Coast. It will take you three hours to drive from Accra to the Cape Coast, so you have to depart on time. As you cruise along, you cannot but notice the picture-perfect fishing villages and the attractive beaches with endless lines of coconut trees.
You can stop by the memorable Kakum National Park and soak yourself in the splendour of nature. Since you will be leaving early, you can even do some light hiking on the Kuntan Trail.
Afternoon: Cruise back to Cape Coast and enjoy some of the finest delicacies in Africa at any of the seaside eateries. When you finish your lunch, head for the Cape Coast Castle, constructed in 1652 by the Swedes and later controlled by the British. You will learn more about Ghana’s history as you enjoy a tour of the castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Evening: Retire to your hotel and have a relaxing night’s rest as you will be heading back to Accra the next morning.
Day Four – Prepare for Departure
Early Morning: Wake up to the brilliant rays of an African sunrise and head back to Accra; driving will be three hours as usual. As you will get to Accra on time, you can still check out some more places, depending on your departure flight time.
Afternoon: If you have time, do some leisure stroll at the Labadi Pleasure Beach or do some quick tour of the National Museum of Ghana. Whatever you do, never forget to take photos and videos.
Evening: If your flight out of Accra is in the evening, get to the airport at least 90 minutes before takeoff.
What to Eat in Ghana
Ghana is a land of culinary wonders, and here are some of the meals that you surely need to enjoy and relish with delight when you are in Ghana:
- Banku: It is a typical Ghanaian dish made from the starch of ground maize enjoyed with fried fish and very spicy pepper sauce. Banku is usually served with tilapia in the restaurants.
- Kenkey: It is a cornmeal-based snack.
- Waakye: This is one of the most popular meals in Ghana. It is a mix of rice and beans with a fascinating color. The meal is served with meat, grilled chicken, or fish.
- Jollof rice: Wherever you go to in Ghana, you are going to see jollof rice, a special kind of rice delicacy made with tomatoes, boiled meat, stock, and spices.
- Mpotompoto: It is a yam-based dish prepared using tomatoes, onions, peppers, and spices. You can try it with chicken or beef too.
Interesting Things You Should Do in Ghana
- Take photos at the famous Black Star monument in Accra as it will be your number one proof and source of bragging rights later on.
- Dress in the native kente cloth.
- Engage with the historians at the National Museum of Ghana.
- Learn the story of Ghana’s revered leader at the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park.
