When people decide they want to visit Africa first hand, they start looking for flights that will take them to one of the continents tourist hotspots, countries like Namibia, South Africa, Kenya; countries that are well-documented. Ghana has not yet made it onto our radar yet, but soon it will, because Ghana has it all. It is rich with green landscapes and, on its southern coast, outlined by golden sand beaches and the warm Atlantic ocean. And that’s just from a bird’s eye view. On the ground it is even better; the countries variety assaults your senses in the best possible way.
Ghana has often been called ‘Africa for those not quite ready for the real Africa’, but that is no bad thing. This country is rife with gorgeous low mountains, stunning coast lines, mesmerising waterfalls, vast national parks and vibrant cities, especially its hip capital, Accra. As for activities, Ghana is up there with the best of Africa. Whatever you want to do you can do it, from walking through the jungle with elephants, to snorkelling through the shallows to learning their traditional dance at the warm sun sets across the water, the air thick with different languages and high-energy music. And all that can be done from a stay in Accra, one of the fastest growing African cities when it comes to entertainment, food and culture, especially the arts.
But you don’t have to be limited to their capital. Further along the coast is the city of Takoradi, just one of the idyllic beach spots renowned for its palm trees, fishing opportunities and perfect waves. In the middle is Kumasi, Ghana’s second city, which lies amongst a kaleidoscope of lush farmlands and hilly landscapes, whilst the mysterious city of Tamale can be found further north, a place often warmed by the desert winds.
It must be noted that, while Ghana can’t compete with some of the bigger safari spots, it is still known for its spectacular wildlife. When it comes to birds and sea life, especially sea turtles and whales, it is up there with the best of Africa. What’s more, if it is elephants you want to catch a glimpse of, you’re more than likely to if you head north toward the border of Burkina Faso.
Of course, it isn’t just a place for tourists who want to trek, visit the Mole National Park, lounge by the beach or enjoy the shopping. There are also fantastic opportunities to volunteer in Ghana and explore the country from its very remotest areas, where its heart beats. This will also give you a chance to immerse yourself in one of the best thing about Ghana; its people and its children. You may not speak any of their national languages, but the people there speak a very global language, and they speak it very well. That is of course football.
So if you are considering a visit to Africa, but you’re not sure which country you want to visit, or where to stop on your travels, quite simply put, you could do a lot worse than Ghana. This is one of those countries that seems to snatch the love of all those that experience it firsthand.
