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ATTRACTIONS
Greater Accra Region
Ghana can be divided into imaginary
quartets although it actually comprises of ten regions.
Accra
Attractions here include
the National Theatre,
an Oriental abode for musicals, plays, dances etc., the National Museum which boasts of a
huge collection of traditional art, The Centre for National Culture which
exhibits and sells crafts, kente and
other traditional cloths. The Kwame
Nkrumah Mausoleum, on the High Street, is a fitting tribute
to the first President of Ghana. Finally the Makola Market on Kojo Thompson Road
is the outlet for the wares of the neighbouring villagers who display
them in the large and busy open-air market.
Aburi: Aburi situated in the Akwapim Hills
is located 38km (24
miles) to the north of Accra. The Botanical Gardens, planted by
British during their colonial rule is a nature lover’s delight with its
admirable collection of subtropical plant life. One gets a whiff of the
refreshing climate from The
Sanatorium (now a rest
house), built there in the 19th century.
Ada
A water lover’s paradise, this popular resort is located at the mouth of the Volta.
The zone is safe for swimming and a delight for those who love fishing
for they are sure to catch some barracuda and Nile perch. Tourists can
avail of the facilities in a luxury hotel built there. For the
bridwatchers, the salt marshes of the Songow Lagoon have great scope. Shai Hills Game Reserve
You can tour this small reserve some 50km
(30 miles) by road from Accra, on horseback.
Central
and Western Region
The castles and forts that dot the central area of Ghana which flanks
the Gulf of Guinea is reminiscent of
the slave trade that flourished in the region.
Cape Coast Castle, built in the
16th-century and later reconstructed and enlarged, was the seat of
British administration in the then Gold Coast until 1877 when
administration moved to Christiansborg Castle in Accra. Yet another
castle is the Castle of Elmina translated ‘the mine’, in the
Western side. The first Portuguese settlement in Ghana was Elmina. This
huge that largely remains intact, is the location. of one of the first
Catholic churches in sub-Sahara Africa is located
in this massive 15th-century
fort, that remains mostly unspoilt.
Fort St Jago was
a vital defence landmark atop a hill its vantage point offering great
views of both Elmina and the Atlantic Ocean. Cultural shows are often
performed at the castles and guided tours are available. UNESCO has
declared
Fort
St Jago and Cape Coast Castle as World Heritage Monuments.
Kakum
National Park
One of the government
ventures to promote eco-tourism, the park located 20 km from Cape
Coast, is a protected conservation area. The 333 metre tree-top walkway
provide visitors with a view of wildlife from tree canopy level.
It has species such as
elephants, bongo antelopes, monkeys, more than 800 species of rare
birds, butterflies, amphibians and reptiles.
West
Coast
The western coast is a favourite beach destination. Busua is a tropical
beach with palms and fantastic Atlantic breakers. At Dixcove there is a fish market and
a 17th-century British fort. The zone is however not a safe swimming
zone for the danger of the undertow of waves. Swimming is safe in the
tiny rocky inlets found in the region.
Volta
and Ashanti Region
The region is named
after the largest man-made lake on earth, the Volta, which is the main
geographical feature of the area, which occupies nearly two thirds of
the country. One can opt for the one-day car ferry trip to Kete-Krachi or
the three-day trip to the northern capital of New Tamale at the head of the lake.
The points around the lake are linked by ferry services. Other
activities at the lake include sailing, water-skiing and other
watersports. In this connection, it would be ideal to mention the Akosombo, centre to the important Akosombo
irrigation dam, which is developing into a holiday resort and
watersport activity zone.
Kumasi
The place is of historical significance not
only as the capital of the Ashanti civilisation but also as the place
where ruins of the Manhyia
Palace and the Royal Mausoleum, were
burnt down by Lord Baden-Powell. The Cultural Centre is a complex that houses a museum,
library and outdoor auditorium reminiscent of the Ashanti culture. In
addition is a ‘Living Museum’,
a farm and village, where potters, goldsmiths, sculptors and other
artisans work using traditional methods. The weaving of the
multi-colored ‘kente’ or traditional ceremonial cloth
is a lovely sight.
Owabi
Wildlife Sanctuary
It is located in the West in the vicinity of Kumasi.
To the south is the pleasant gold-mining city of Obuasi. The spectacular Banfabiri Falls are located further
to the northeast in the Boufom
Wildlife Sanctuary.
Northern
Region
High plains and a
plateau in the heart, which rises from150-300 metres is the terrain of
the northern region. The Mole
National Park, one of the best-equipped nature reserves in
Ghana is located West of the region’s main town, Tamale.
Visitors can tour the park
on foot or a four-wheel vehicle but it is wise to be accompanied by a
guide. They also have the option of camping in the park in a spot of
their choice. The facilities include a motel with restaurant at the
entrace of the park. You will come across species like monkeys,
buffalo, antelope, warthog and the majestic additions of the park,
lions and elephants.
The mosque Larabanga, believed to be
‘God-built’ by the locals is situated five miles north of Mole National
Park. Its architecture is
reminiscent of the Western
Sudanese Empires and it houses a holy Koran. |