Ghana, officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country in West Africa. Included in the Commonwealth of Nations. It borders in the west with Côte d'Ivoire, in the northwest and north with Burkina Faso, in the east with Togo. From the south it is washed by the waters of the Gulf of Guinea of the Atlantic Ocean.
Coastal Plains (Accra, Apam, Cape Coast, Elmina, Kakum National Park,
Nzulezo, Sekondi-Takoradi, Ada)
The country's coastal region,
including the capital, several forts, and the country's best-preserved
rainforests.
Ashanti-Kwahu (Koforidua, Kumasi, Obuasi, Sunyani)
Forested hills and the ancient Ashanti Kingdom.
Volta Basin (Tamale)
The huge Lake Volta, as well as the river system that feeds it and the
border with Togo.
Northern Plains (Bolgatanga, Mole National Park)
Savannah plains and the traditional trade routes for Burkina Faso.
Accra - Capital and largest city in the country.
Bolgatanga -
Largest city in the north and entry point to Burkina Faso.
Cape Coast
- The Cape Coast slave castle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Elmina
- A coastal town with a beautiful colonial fort.
Koforidua - Close to
Lake Volta and rainforest.
Kumasi - Second largest city in the
country and traditional center of the Ashanti kingdom.
Obuasi -
Mining city.
Sekondi-Takoradi - Coastal city.
Tamale - Entry point
to Mole National Park.
Sognaayilli - a holiday with the locals in a traditional village in
northern Ghana.
Kakum National Park - A tropical forest, with a net
bridge to see rare monkeys, as well as antelopes and forest elephants.
Mole National Park - A savannah park, known for wildlife including
buffalo, monkeys, antelope, lions and elephants. Walking and driving
safaris are popular, you can even camp and sleep a night in the
savannah.
Wli Falls - In the Agumatsa Fauna Sanctuary, near the
border with Togo.
Nzulezo - A village with buildings built over the
water.
Paga — a city in the north, home to "sacred crocodiles", which
are domesticated and live in several lagoons.
Shai Hills Reserve — a
good mini-trip from Accra, with baboons, parrots and antelopes; You can
visit the reserve on horseback.
It's a good idea to arrange a visa in advance. The Ghana Tourism
website has a reliable list of embassies abroad. A three-month
individual visa costs 50 dollars (around €37 or R$83); a one-year,
multiple-entry visa costs 80 dollars (around €60 or R$135). You must
present a yellow fever vaccination certificate, which will be presented
at customs upon entering the country. The malaria vaccine is, of course,
essential.
Citizens of Egypt, Kenya, Hong Kong, Singapore,
Mauritius or Zimbabwe do not need a visa to enter Ghana. Citizens of
Malawi, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia can
obtain a visa at the airport or at the border.
Travelers who wish
to stay longer than their visa allows (generally a maximum of 30 or 60
days is granted to tourists) must bring their passport to the
Immigration Service to request a visa extension - it will take some time
to get it back. Although they often say it only takes two weeks, it can
take much longer. Be careful about what is stamped in your passport.
Sometimes the Immigration Service puts a 60-day stamp on a 3-month visa
- and it's the stamps that count.
By airplane
All
international flights pass through Accra Kotoka International Airport
(IATA: ACC; ICAO: DGAA). Kotoka International Airport is very central
and there are always shuttles and taxis to connect you to other parts of
the city.
United Airlines began flying to Accra from Washington,
D.C. - Dulles in June 2010. Delta Air Lines flies from Accra to New York
(JFK) and Atlanta, with four flights per week. British Airways flies
from London - Heathrow, and Astraeus flies from London - Gatwick. Royal
Dutch Airlines (KLM) flies daily from Schiphol, Amsterdam. Lufthansa
maintains daily direct flights from Frankfurt, respectively, with a
short stop in Lagos, Nigeria. Emirates operates direct, non-stop flights
from Dubai, in the Middle East (with connections to Asia and the Far
East). Ethiopian Airlines operates four flights a week from Addis Ababa.
Egypt Air also operates direct flights to Accra. If you are coming from
Brazil or a neighboring country, flights from Rio de Janeiro to Luanda,
Angola, with Angola Airlines are the shortest option. From Luanda, you
can take a direct flight to Accra. Turkish Airlines flies from Istanbul
to Accra, with four flights per week, all stopping in Lagos.
The
cheapest flights to Ghana from outside Africa are usually those from
London, but this does not mean that British Airways is the cheapest
option (for example, you may need to change flights). Afriqiyah Airways
is one of the cheapest companies, with flights to Accra from London -
Gatwick with a stop in Tripoli. Those coming from North America may be
able to save some money by getting a cheap ticket to London from their
country.
By car
You can enter the country from Burkina Faso
through the northwest corner of Ghana, crossing the border between Tumu
and Léo or between Hamale or Lawra and Bobo-Dioulasso. The easiest way
to get to Tumu is from Bolgatanga, to Hamale from Bolgatanga or Wa, to
Lawra from Wa.
The border with Togo in Aflao is a fun scene. It
has a very disorganized appearance and human trafficking seems to flow
freely. However, it is unlikely that someone with white skin will be
able to cross without going through all the formalities. The process of
filling out forms and checking visas can take a while. Those on the
Togolese side will probably ask for a bribe, but this is not necessary
if you have your documents in order. Officials on the Ghanaian side are
much harder to bribe. A visa to enter Ghana can be purchased at the
border, but it costs twice as much as normal (because of the speed of
delivery): ₵110.
You can also cross the border into Ivory Coast
between Bole and Bouna, although this involves a chartered canoe trip
across the Black Volta River. It is faster to cross this border than the
Togo border, but officials strictly follow the rules.
By bus/bus
and shared taxis
The national bus company, the State Transport
Corporation, operates an inter-city bus service from Ghana to some major
cities in West Africa. A recent public-private partnership created the
Metro Mass Company, which has services from Accra and other regions of
Ghana.
From Burkina Faso
There is a direct bus operated by
VanefSTC from Ouagadougou to Accra (29 US$/21€, 24 hours) every day from
Monday to Saturday and one from Kumasi (21 US$/15€, 20 hours) every
Wednesday night ; Most people do the trip in parts. From Bolgatanga,
there are tro-tros (shared taxis) to the border at Paga (US$1.10/€0.80,
40 minutes), from where you can get transport to Pô and Ouagadougou.
From Ivory Coast
Between Accra and Abidjan there is a bus service
from Vanef STC (US$12/8.8€, 12 hours), passing through Elubo, every day
from Monday to Friday, leaving at dawn. The Ecowas Express, operated by
STIF, an Ivory Coast company, makes three trips a week between Accra and
Abidjan. From Takoradi, shared taxis make the journey to Abidjan.
From Togo
The coastal road between Accra and Aflao is full of
tro-tros and buses (all around US$3.30/€2.40, 3 hours). VanefSTC buses
leave from the small Tudu bus station in Accra (US$5/€3.60, four times a
day). The border post at Aflao is open from 6am to 10pm every day, but
do not cross the border between 9am and 5pm if you need to arrange a
Togolese visa at the border. Ghanaian public transport does not cross
the border, which is just 2km from the capital Lomé.
From other
countries
ABC Transport, based in Nigeria, operates a daily bus
service (air-conditioned) to Lagos for around GH₵45.
By
train/train
There are no international train lines.
By airplane
There are 10 public airports in Ghana: Kotoka (Accra),
Kumasi, Nantong, Navrongo, Sunyani, Palibelo, Takoradi, Tamale, Wa and
Yendi.
There are two domestic airlines in Ghana: Antrak Air
(21-765337; Antrak House, Danquah Circle, Osu; Kumasi 51-41296; Tamale
71-91075;) and City Link (312001;). Both have twice-daily flights
between Accra and Kumasi (US$60-US$80/44€-59€, 45 minutes), and Antrak
has flights between Accra and Tamale on Wednesdays, Fridays and
Saturdays (US$144/105€, Hour and a half).
Of boat
A passenger
boat, the Yapei Queen, travels on Lake Volta, between Akosombo and Yeji,
with a stop at the town of Kete-Krachi and a few villages along the way.
In theory, it leaves the port of Akosombo at 4pm on Monday and arrives
Yeji on Wednesday morning; In practice, schedules are more fluid. The
boat leaves Yeji at around 4pm on Wednesday and arrives in Akosombo on
Friday morning. Tickets cost US$11/8€ in 1st class and US$5.50/4€ in 2nd
class, and there is food and drink on board. If you want one of the two
1st class cabins (recommended), you must book at least two weeks in
advance; call 0251-20686 in Akosombo to make a reservation.
By
car
The condition of the roads varies. In Accra, most of it is of
good quality. Significant improvements are being made to the main road
between Accra and Kumasi. Most roads outside of Accra, except the main
ones, are unpaved. The road between Techiman and Bole is in particularly
poor condition, and should be avoided if possible. To travel on most of
the roads in the north of the country you need a jeep; A sedan fits some
of them in the dry season, but is not recommended.
Cars with
foreign registration plates cannot drive between 6pm and 6am. Only
vehicles with Ghanaian registration plates can travel on the roads at
all times.
By bus/bus
VanefSTC is the main bus company. They
have international and national long distance services. It's probably
the safest way to travel long distances, and it's also quite fast
compared to other options, although breakdowns are fairly frequent. STC
has buses between Accra, Kumasi, Takoradi, Tamale, Cape Coast and other
major cities. Express or Air-conditioned buses are faster and much more
comfortable than a normal bus and are available on the following routes:
Accra-Kumasi, Accra-Tamale, Accra-Bolgatanga . Buy your tickets at least
one day in advance, as these buses often sell out if you wait until the
day. In addition to the ticket, you have to pay for your luggage, the
price varies depending on the weight of the luggage. It rarely exceeds
1/3 of the ticket price.
Several other companies provide bus
services between major cities, including OSA, Metrobus and Kingdom
Travel. Esyes services are more reliable than tro-tros. Metrobus is by
far the best and cheapest option between Accra, Kumasi and Cape Coast,
but it is not recommended to use a Metrobus bus to or from Tamale due to
the difficulty of obtaining a ticket (there are a lot of people wanting
to go to this region).
MPlaza Tours also has services between
Accra, Kumasi, etc. One good thing about this company is that it has its
own bus terminals.
By train/train
There are railways between
Accra, Takoradi and Kumasi. The train is very slow and is not cheaper
than buses, but with the current restoration of Ghana's rail system,
there will be new stations and faster, more frequent trains.
There are daily trains, in both directions, between Accra and Kumasi
(US$4.40/€3.20 in first class or US$2.70/€2 in 2nd class, around 12
hours) and a night service between Accra and Takoradi , at about the
same price and taking at least 12 hours, but unless you're a masochist,
it's best not to use this one. However, the line between Kumasi and
Takoradi (US$4.40/€3.20 in first class or US$2.70/€2 in 2nd class) is an
option worth considering. Two trains per day follow this line, leaving
at 6:00 am and 8:30 pm. The journey, in theory, takes eight hours, but
normally it takes around 12 hours, especially if you use the night
train.
From tro-tro
Tro-tro is a term that covers almost any
type of vehicle that has been adapted to accommodate as many people,
goods, and, occasionally, livestock as possible. Tro-tros are normally
old twelve-passenger vans. Similar to shared taxis, tro-tros follow
fixed routes and have fixed prices, and rarely leave without being full
(so be prepared to wait). They are cheap (cheaper than STC buses and
shared taxis) and prices vary depending on the distance travelled;
However, their safety is questionable and breakdowns are frequent.
However, these breakdowns are usually not a big problem, as they break
down on roads where other tro-tros pass, and you can simply get another
one. There are routes within cities and inter-city routes. These are
often the only option for reaching remote villages and towns, but they
are not recommended for long trips. Tro-tros are a great way to mingle
with Ghanaians, and are always a cultural adventure. Sometimes they may
try to make you pay extra for your luggage, and occasionally they will
charge you extra (very rarely).
By taxi
Taxis are plentiful,
and as a tourist it's not difficult to find one. It is cheaper to share
a taxi than to go alone, but prices are negotiable. Negotiate the price
with the driver before getting in. A very short taxi ride should not
exceed GH₵1, if it is longer it should be between GH₵2.50-5 and GH₵7 is
enough to go anywhere within a city. Prices continue to vary with fuel
prices on the international market. Many taxi drivers will try to trick
you and charge you more if you are a foreigner. In Accra and the largest
cities, most drivers assume that they will not share a taxi and, unless
you have very little money, the easiest way is to go alone. In more
remote areas, shared taxis are very common.
Because Ghana was colonized by the British, English became the
official language, and many Ghanaians (especially in urban centers) can
speak English. The local English dialect, Pidgin English has several
terms, phrases and words that may seem strange even to an English
person. Official government documents are in English, but there are more
than 40 different languages in Ghana, including English, Twi, Ga, Ewe,
Dagbani, and so on. Obruni, the Akan word for foreigner, which literally
means "white man", is shouted several times to greet a tourist, with no
offense intended. Obruni is similar to the word Toubab, used further
west, in Mali, Guinea, Gambia and Senegal.
In the northern
regions and among Ghanaian Muslims in general, Hausa is the language
used in everyday life.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
In Ghana there are two world heritage
sites:
Traditional Buildings of the Ashanti Civilization, Kumasi - A
group of 13 buildings traditionally constructed from clay, straw and
wood. Described as the "Home of Men and Gods", they are the last
strongholds of Ashanti culture and history, which reached its peak in
the 18th century. These buildings are spread across the north and
northeast of Kumasi. Most of these buildings were destroyed in the
19th-20th centuries, in the fights between the Ashanti civilization and
the British colonizers, such as a royal mausoleum (Barem), which was
burned by Baden-Powell.
Forts and Castles of the Greater Accra,
Volta, Central and Western Regions - A group of 11 castles/forts, mainly
Dutch, English and Portuguese, along the Gold Coast:
Elmina Castle,
Elmina - Built by Portugal in 1482, under the name Castelo de São Jorge
da Mina, and is the oldest European building in Africa below the Sahara.
It became one of the most important stops for the African slave trade.
It was taken by the Dutch in 1637, and by the English in 1871.
Fort
of Santo António, Axim - Built by the Portuguese in 1515 and expanded by
the Dutch between 1642 and 1872. Shaped like a triangle, it has two main
bastions, located at the north and south ends. Despite being a little
poorly maintained, it is in a spectacular location, facing the blue
waters of the Atlantic Ocean. The fort, currently owned by GMMB, is open
to the public.
English Fort (Fort Vrendenburg), Komenda - Fort
Vredenburg was built by the Dutch in 1688, taken by the English in 1782
and abandoned three years later. It is currently in ruins.
Metal
Cross Fort, Dixcove - Situated on an elevation on the east side of
Dixcove Bay, it is one of the best preserved forts accessible to
tourists on the Ghanaian coast. It was built by the English in the
1690s, and construction lasted 6 years, due to attacks by natives. It
was expanded in the 18th century, gaining the appearance it has today.
São Sebastião Fort, Shama - It was built by the Portuguese in around
1500, with the aim of preventing the English from interfering in trade
in the Shama area. When the Dutch took the fort it was in ruins, being
restored and expanded between 1640 and 1642. In 1664 and 1665 it passed
into English hands, being reoccupied by the Dutch in 1666. Before 1870
it was abandoned.
Fort Batenstein, Butre - Built on top of a hill, it
has now been taken over by the jungle, resembling an ancient Mayan
temple more than a 17th century castle. It was built in 1656 by the
Dutch, and since then it has passed hands between the English and Dutch.
It was eventually abandoned in 1818-1829.
St. Jago's Fort (Fort
Conraadsburg), Elmina - Looking more like a Mediterranean villa than a
fort, it was used by the Dutch to take Elmina castle, remaining under
Dutch rule for 235 years. The British attacked it in 1871 and 1872. It
was finally sold to the British along with Elmina Castle.
Amsterdam
Fort, Abandze - It was built by the Dutch West India Company in 1638. In
1661 the Royal African Company became the owner of the fort, which
became the general headquarters of the English possessions of the Gold
Coast. In 1665 it was captured by the Dutch admiral De Ruyter, and the
English headquarters were transferred to Cape Coast Castle.
Fort
Lijdzaamheid (Fort Patience), Apam - The fort began construction in
1697, but was only completed in 1700, receiving the name "Fort
Lijdzaamheid". In 1782 it was captured by the English, led by Captain
Shirley. In 1785 it returned to Dutch hands. Nowadays it is used as a
hotel.
Cape Coast Castle, Cape Coast - Located in one of the main
cities in Ghana, it was built by Sweden, originally in wood, and later
in stone. In 1663, the entire Swedish Gold Coast was integrated by the
Danes. In 1664, it was taken over by the English, and received major
renovations. In 1844 it became the English headquarters on the Gold
Coast.
Fort of Good Hope (Fort Goedehoop), Senya Beraku - Built by
the Dutch due to a request from the Agona State. The Dutch accepted the
request due to the possibility of a boom in the trade of gold, ivory and
slaves, coming from the Akyem Kingdom and due to private traders, who
were taking advantage of the absence of Dutch forts in the area.
There are many popular beaches in this small West African country.
Ghana faces the Atlantic Ocean and is blessed with magnificent beaches.
Most of these beaches are public and are great for water sports, such as
jet skiing, surfing, and kite surfing. Here are some Ghanaian beaches
that are worth a visit:
Labadi Labadi Beach. This public beach is
located in Labadi, and has a three-kilometer stretch of sand, ideal for
practicing various water sports. The beach has strong winds and
moderate/large waves, making it perfect for surfing. The vastness of the
sand is good for playing volleyball or frisbee. There are restaurants,
snack bars, showers and changing rooms nearby.
Kokrobite Kokrobite
Beach (30 km west of Accra). A beach 30 km west of Accra. Although it is
a public beach, fewer tourists go there, as it is a little far from the
capital. However, those who visit this place are greeted by the scenic
view of the hills and crystal clear water. There are few restaurants and
bathhouses, but there are also fewer visitors, so they adapt to the
needs of visitors.
Ada Beach. 100 km from Accra is Ada Beach. This
beach is located in the coastal village near the Lomé Road, and is
perfect for water skiing, fishing, and other water sports. This beach
also has a marina nearby, perfect for yachting. The village also has
restaurants and inns where tourists can spend the night for a reasonable
price.
Chocoloco Ada Foah Beach. Home to sea turtles, Chocoloco Beach
is located east of Accra, where the Volta River flows into the Atlantic
Ocean. This beach is also a sanctuary for estuarine birds. This beach is
a perfect destination not only for beachcombers but also for nature
lovers, as well. It is a great place for camping. Accommodations such as
rental bungalows and inns are located at a nearby village.
Alaska
Beach. A very popular beach among backpackers and beach lovers. An
isolated beach, unlike many in Ghana. Although it is isolated, it has
campsites, bungalows for rent, showers, bathrooms, etc. In addition, it
has several restaurants where you can try fresh seafood and other local
foods.
Ghana is an ideal destination for safaris. With its 16 national
parks, reserves and protected areas, covering a vast and varied habitat,
from marshes and salt flats along the Gold Coast, to tropical
rainforests in the south. In the center you will find forests and, as
you progress north, the Sahelian savannas.
Ghana's national parks
are home to a dizzying array of wildlife, including forest and savanna
elephants, hippos, lions, hyenas, chimpanzees, baboons, 7 species of
monkeys, 3 species of crocodiles, buffaloes, numerous antelopes and
much, much more. . Mole National Park alone has more than 93 species of
mammals. Ghana also has more than 755 species of birds.
In
addition to Mole National Park, don't forget to visit Kakum National
Park and Shai Hills Reserve.
The Ghanaian Cedi was replaced by another in July 2007. The new
"Ghanaian Cedi" (GH₵) is equivalent to 10,000 old cedis. During the
six-month transition period, the old cedi is called cedi, and the new
cedi is called Ghana Cedi.
Many Ghanaians still calculate using
the old currency. This can be very confusing (and expensive). 10,000 old
cedis are usually referred to as ten (or twenty, or thirty). This,
nowadays, would be one, two or three Ghanaian cedis. So always think
about whether the price makes sense before buying something or agreeing
on the price of a taxi. If you are in doubt, ask whether you are talking
about new or old cedis.
Some major hotels accept US dollars, but
this may not be the case. As in all West African countries, older dollar
bills will be rejected by banks and FOREX offices. If you intend to
carry dollar bills, make sure they are all from 2007 or newer.
The Euro is the most useful currency, and sometimes bars/restaurants can
exchange them for cedis if the banks are closed.
There are many
FOREX offices in Accra, and a few more in other major cities. It is very
difficult to cash traveller's checks and practically impossible outside
of Accra and Kumasi unless you do it at a major bank. Barclays has
branches in Accra, Kumasi, Cape Coast and Tamale where you can cash
travelers checks. Be prepared to wait in lines. Major hotels accept VISA
cards, and there are ATMs in Accra, Kumasi and Cape Coast that accept
VISA. The Cape Coast ATM is often out of money. At the main Barclays
branch in Accra, you can get money using a VISA or MasterCard card, as
long as you have your passport with you.
Haggling is a common
practice in markets. Big cities like Accra have markets open every day,
but if you want to get a feel for the true essence of the country, visit
a village market on the day of the week it is open. Most of what is for
sale are basic necessities, but fabrics, beads, musical instruments,
bags and even CDs are usually available.
You can also find kente,
fabrics and wooden sculptures, such as masks and sacred benches on
almost any street in any tourist area in the country.
Adinkrah
symbols & sacred benches
The sacred benches have traditional adinkrah
symbols that can mean several things, having to do with God, love,
strength, community, and much more. It is advisable to find a book that
shows you what each symbol means so you don't buy a bank that doesn't
mean what you think it means.
The Gye Nyame is by far the most
popular of the adinkrah symbols. It means "Thank God". Other popular
symbols are the "Knot of Wisdom" and one that represents an individual
holding many sticks together, which cannot be broken, symbolizing the
strength of the community.
Traditional food is fun to try and tasty. Fufu, the most popular
traditional dish, consists of balls of mashed plantain, cassava or yam,
served with soup and a meat or fish dish. Soups are typically made from
peanuts, okra, and other vegetables. Banku is a corn and fermented
version of the dish, typically eaten with grilled tilapia or okra soup.
Rice dishes are also traditional, but are not considered a serious
meal by Ghanaians, especially men. Jollof rice varies depending on the
cook, but generally consists of white rice cooked with vegetables,
pieces of meat and spices in a tomato-based sauce. Waakye is a mixture
of beans and cabbage, traditionally served with garri, a flour made from
cassava. Rice dishes are often served with tomatoes, cucumber and
chopped lettuce on the side and a dollop of salad cream or mayonnaise.
These meals are extremely cheap and can be purchased from any street
vendor for around GH₵1.50-2.50.
Plantains, yams, and sweet
potatoes are prepared in many ways and make a good snack. Kelewele, a
snack made from fried plantains with spices, is especially good. Fresh
fruits such as pineapple, mango, papaya, coconuts, oranges and bananas
are delicious when they are in season and cost just 10 cents.
A
good African meal in a restaurant can cost as little as GH₵3.00-7.00.
For example, a lobster and shrimp dinner can cost a mere GH₵6. There are
also several Chinese and American restaurants available, mainly in Osu a
suburb of Accra.
Tap water is generally not drinkable, so you can choose between
bottled water (e.g. Voltic, approx. 1.5l, ₵GH 1.00), boiled or filtered
tap water, and sachets of "pure water". These sachets contain filtered
water and come in 500 ml portions. Many foreigners prefer bottled water.
sachet water is generally not advisable. Although it is easily
accessible and a unique experience, studies have shown amounts of fecal
bacteria, suggesting that it is actually tap water. If you want to play
it safe, opt for bottled water and sparkling drinks.
In foreigner
bars in Accra, a beer costs between GH₵2 and GH₵3. Fruit juices cost
GH₵1.50, water is between GH₵1 and GH₵1.50. Star and Club are some of
the most popular beer brands. For a more interesting experience, visit a
"spot", a bar marked by blue and white stripes on the outside of the
building. They are cheaper and you can hang out with the locals and
listen to trendy music.
Soft drinks like Coca Cola, Fanta, 7UP
(which the locals call "minerals") are available nationwide for GH₵0.50.
The bottles in which soft drinks or beer are served belong to the
company that bottled them - if they don't return them to the seller,
they lose GH₵0.50 cedis - probably more than they paid for the drink. If
you are not going to consume the drink at the "spot" or in the bar you
are in, tell the seller so.
There are many fantastic places to spend the night in Ghana. The
options are varied, from luxury hotels to more rustic places. In the
capital there are some international hotel chains. There are hotels
throughout the country, but these are mainly concentrated in urban
centers. A decent and cheap hotel room can cost as little as GH₵20.00.
For longer stays (a few months), it is possible to rent a house.
Houses for rent are easy to find in local newspapers in places
frequented by foreigners.
Ghana has three main public universities. The largest of these is the
University of Ghana, situated in Legon, a suburb of the capital, Accra.
Other universities are Cape Coast (University of Cape Coast) and Kumasi
(Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, or "Tech"). There
are other, smaller, public universities, including the University of
Education in Winneba, the University of Development Studies, with a main
campus in Tamale and several smaller campuses to the north, and the
University of Mines and Technology in Tarkwa. There are also several
private colleges and universities, both religious and non-religious.
Teachers are usually very strict and respect is very important.
Many people volunteer with various Ghanaian and international
organizations while traveling:
Africa Calling. Teach English,
mathematics, computers, etc. in a school or orphanage while traveling.
It offers several programs starting at US$400 for two weeks.
Disaster
Volunteers of Ghana. A non-governmental organization dedicated to
improving the lives of Ghanaians through donations and volunteering. Not
only does he travel around the country, but he also contributes to many
Ghanaians having a better life. Although they also have volunteer
programs for medical and IT specialists, you do not need to have special
knowledge to be accepted as a volunteer.
Ultimate Volunteer
Organization. You can volunteer to be a teacher, football coach and/or
doctor/nurse. Located near Volta, it shows you what the real Ghana looks
like.
Global-Cultural Solution. It offers reasonably priced programs,
with guided tours, a car to pick you up at the airport, etc. You can see
all the programs here.
Ikando Volunteers. Nature conservation,
medical care, education programs, etc.
Light for Children. Centered
in the Ashanti region, you can volunteer for various positions: to work
in an orphanage, in the pediatric ward of a hospital, in a school for
the deaf, etc.
Meet Africa. Great for getting to know a new culture
and at the same time providing an extra source of income for locals in
the northern region of Ghana.
Thrive Africa UK. Works 6 to 9 hours a
day, five days a week. During the rest of the day there are many
entertainment activities.
Volunteering Solutions. With volunteer
programs in 17 countries starting at US$200. In Ghana, you can teach
English, volunteer at an orphanage, at a clinic, among other tasks.
Volunteer Partnerships for West Africa. An organization concerned with
improving education, health and sanitary conditions. Various volunteer
programs, from programs lasting a few months to one-year programs.
Currently, Ghana is a very safe and stable country, with a low crime
rate compared to other West African countries. Take the usual
precautions and use common sense, but the country is safe.
Although security is not a major issue in the country, it is advisable
to remain vigilant in public areas, especially in and around Accra, and
avoid walking alone at night if possible. Avoid carrying large sums of
money or valuables and be vigilant when taking money from the ATM in the
center of Accra. There have been cases of cell phone theft on the
street. Avoid using your cell phone in public unless you have to. The
theft of luggage and travel documents has already occurred at Kotoka
Airport. Also be vigilant in Tamale, Kumasi and its surrounding areas,
where there has been an increase in crime, including robberies and
attacks on foreigners. There is a possibility of violence between rival
political factions, inter-ethnic fighting and civil disorder; It's a
good idea to update yourself and stay up to date with daily events. If
you want to visit the northern region, there is a possibility of
inter-ethnic fighting, so be careful. If you want to travel along the
coast, be careful due to the storm tides that hit the coast.
Although lesbianism is already legal, male homosexuality is illegal.
Chloroquine-resistant malaria occurs throughout the country and you
must take care not to catch it: avoid mosquitoes, always have repellent
on hand, as well as prophylaxis. The yellow fever vaccine is mandatory
to enter the country. Hepatitis A & B, Cholera and Typhoid vaccines are
also recommended.
The risk of meningitis is high in the northern
part of Ghana, which is part of the so-called "meningitis belt" (an area
of high risk of meningitis). This applies especially during the dry wind
season, from December to June. For Meningitis types A, C, Y and W135,
the polysaccharide vaccine is available.
Although the occurrence
of AIDS is less frequent than in other sub-Saharan African countries,
never have unprotected sex! Receiving a blood transfusion in Ghana
substantially increases the risk of having AIDS. You should also avoid
coming into contact with still fresh water, as there is a risk of
getting schistosomiasis.
Some restaurants come close to European
health standards, but be prepared to pay for them. Smaller restaurants,
often called chop bars, have more questionable hygiene and are unlikely
to meet these standards.
Because of the tropical climate near the
coast, travelers need to stay hydrated. You can buy bottled water
anywhere. Voltic Water is a reliable brand, but make sure the bottle has
never been opened.
You should try to have a respectful attitude (don't eat or offer anything with your left hand), but in general Ghanaians are understanding towards tourists who make mistakes. Greetings are very important. Ghanaians do not forgive people who do not greet others. Sometimes the greeting is a salute, accompanied by "good morning" or "good afternoon." The expected response is the same. You can also ask the person how they are.
Telecommunications services and the Ghanaian postal service are
unreliable within Ghana, but international mail, at least to and from
Accra, is reasonable (approximately a week for a parcel to or from the
UK, for example). Vodafone Ghana (formerly Ghana Telecom) is the largest
company in the country, but it is not entirely reliable and does not
cover the entire country. There are 4 mobile communications companies,
with a fifth about to start services. Many of these companies have
3G/HSPA coverage. There has been a boom in internet access via USB
sticks (expect to pay around 60 cedis for a USB stick). Coverage is good
in urban areas, and is increasingly better in rural areas and along
major highways.
With the recent boom in I.C.T. In urban areas of
Ghana, you are never far from an internet cafe, where an hour of
internet costs ₵0.50-₵1.00. Many hotels also have broadband internet
access through hotspots.
After the independence of the British colony of the Gold Coast in 1957, the country became known as "Ghana". This toponym comes from "gana" - the title of the rulers of the Ghana Empire, which means "warlord".
The territory of the country is a plain, in some places dotted with remnant hills. To the north of the plain is a wooded plateau. At the eastern border of the country rise the mountains of Togo with the highest point of the state - Mount Afajato (885 m). To the north of Ejura above the Nampong ledge, the forest gradually thins out and is replaced by thickets of shrubs. Further north, along the Gambaga Escarpment, there are open savannahs with more fertile soils.
Ghana is located in the subequatorial belt, in which there is a constant alternation of rainy and dry seasons. Most of the year the weather is dry. The climate is subequatorial, in the southwest - transitional to equatorial. From a natural and climatic point of view, Ghana is divided into south and north. In the south, the climate is humid, dominated by rugged evergreen tropical forests, in the north, an arid region with savannahs and shrubs. In November-February, harmattan blows - a dry, dusty wind from the north, but its influence is practically not felt in coastal areas. During the rainy season, the southwest of the country is the area with the highest amount of precipitation (over 2000 mm per year). Temperatures are high all year round, and only in the north do they drop at night. Average monthly temperatures range from plus 28°C to plus 30°C in coastal and forest areas and from plus 16°C to plus 33°C in the north. During the year, an average of 750-1000 mm of precipitation falls in Accra, 1500-1800 mm in Kumasi, 1800-2100 mm in the south-west of the coastal region near Aksim, and 1100-1200 mm in the north in Tamale.
The
fauna is represented in the north and in the center, where there are
many savannahs, and in the south, where there are tropical forests. In
Ghana, the fauna is mainly filled with lions, elephants, hippos, zebras,
chimpanzees, flamingos, crocodiles and others.
Most of the
vegetation of the country was destroyed, but in the south there are
still forests in which cotton trees, redwoods, and cedar grow.
Two-thirds of the country's territory is occupied by savanna, almost
completely covered with grass and rare trees. The fauna also suffered as
a result of land development, but such mammals as the leopard, hyena,
lemur, buffalo, elephant, antelope, and monkeys have survived. The
country also has a large number of reptiles: cobra, python, horned
viper, African viper, etc.
The ancient city of Gana was in the north of what is now the Republic
of Ghana. Ghana was the Arabic spelling of the African name Gana, the
meaning of which is unknown. Archaeologists have searched the vast areas
of West Africa for its exact location in vain. Many stories tell of
their wealth, the power of their kings and the beauty of their
buildings. Other stories are about the cause of their fall. One of them
follows.
The town of New Wagadoo, now called Wa-Gana, was the
capital of 80 chiefdoms. But when the king died, leaving only one
daughter, these 80 chiefs became independent. The Princess Tu-Bari was a
woman of unsurpassable beauty and promised marriage to the man who would
subdue the 80 rebellious chiefs. Many princes, having heard of her
beauty, tried their luck, but none succeeded. Finally, the king from
Gana named Samba (Strong) appeared. He defeated the 80 rebellious
chieftains one by one and sent each of them to Queen Annalia to submit
to her. When the last chieftain surrendered, Annalia agreed to marry
Samba, who became king of Gana and Wa-Gana. A few years later, a
devastating drought broke out in the country and famine was imminent.
The drought was caused by a dragon named Isa Bere, who lived in the
mountains of Futa Jallon and drank the Niger River dry. King Samba had
to go and fight the dragon. His famous bard Tarafe, who had first sung
Annalia's fame, accompanied him.
King Samba fought the dragon for
eight years and broke 800 spears on its scales. Finally he struck the
dragon's heart with his long sword, whereupon the monster died and the
Niger, the holy river Jolliba, flowed again. Tarafe sang the praises of
the sword. King Samba loved the mountains and forested slopes and
decided to stay there. The old Gana fell into disrepair during his
absence.
It is assumed that the area that is now Ghana was first settled by
humans sometime between 150,000 and 20,000 years ago. These first
inhabitants were members of the Sango or Sangoan culture - named after
the first sites found in Sango Bay on the Ugandan side of Lake Victoria
- a culture that can be characterized by the transition from the older
to the younger Paleolithic. However, the onset of a period of extreme
drought, which began about 25,000 years ago and lasted until about
13,000 years ago, caused the people of the Sangoan culture to abandon
the increasingly inhospitable plains. The oldest ceramic finds in what
is now Ghana have been dated to around 5,800 years ago. In general, the
time of the appearance of ceramics is identified with the beginning of
food production through cultivation, although evidence for this from the
early period of the ceramic presence is still missing.
Around
3,800 to around 2,000 years ago, the climate in West Africa and western
Central Africa experienced an intense dry phase with strong winds.
During this time, another prehistoric cultural stage, the Kintampo
culture, existed in what is now Ghana on the northern edge of the
rainforest belt between 4000 years ago and around 2700 years ago. The
Kintampo culture had a very complex economic system, which was
characterized by a mixture of agricultural forest land management and
food-producing livestock farming in the savannah. The keeping of sheep
and goats can be proven with certainty between 3750 and 3550 years ago,
and cattle were probably also kept in the late period. The rainforest,
which became thinner due to the drought, and the sudden increase in the
appearance of oil palm, which provided food, fiber and building
materials, probably promoted the development process of agricultural
forestland management. Nevertheless, at the height of the dry phase,
people seem to have once again left the increasingly unfriendly areas.
The population class in Ghana and Togo that is now considered
autochthonous are essentially groups that, beginning in the 9th and 10th
centuries, migrated in large groups from the north or northeast to the
areas south of the savanna belt of Togo and Ghana. This migration
movement was triggered by a change in climate, which was linked to
changes in the vegetation of the savanna areas. But the strengthening of
Old Gana and the forerunner states of the Mali Empire also contributed
to triggering the migration movement, as did a certain pressure for more
segmentation within the social order, which ultimately increased the
pressure for a voluntary secession from the previous people's
association. Major movements took place in the Volta Basin between the
11th and 15th centuries. But these immigrant groups did not migrate
across large areas, but rather they penetrated more or less gradually
into neighboring areas, from which they were pushed again by the
insertion of other peoples from the north into areas further south.
The modern state of Ghana takes its name from the ancient empire of
Ghana, which was geographically located a few thousand kilometers
northwest and has no ethnic or historical connection to the current
state of Ghana. In the area of today's state there were several large
empires or federations in pre-colonial times. The first of these states,
the empires of the Dagomba, Mamprusi or the Gonja, arose in the savannah
region of northern Ghana and were culturally influenced by the Mossi
empire further north and thus by Islam. The power of their cavalry
armies ended at the rainforest belt. Akan peoples from the north settled
in the rainforest zone from around 1300 AD and founded various smaller
empires. Around 1600, the rise of the Ashanti Empire to become the
dominant power in all of modern-day Ghana began there in central Ghana.
The Ashanti Federation was one of the few African empires that was able
to take on the British colonial troops by the end of the 19th century
and defeated them in several wars. It was only at the beginning of the
20th century that it was finally conquered by the British colonial
rulers. In the south of the country, the Fanti states, which were
affiliated with the British, competed with the Ashanti Empire and merged
to form the Fanti Confederation at the end of the 19th century.
Since the 17th century, the fortified settlements of European powers
(Portuguese, English, Dutch, Brandenburgers, Swedes, Danes) have been
lined up on the Gold Coast in a density like no other area in Africa.
For example, Groß Friedrichsburg in Princes Town was a
Brandenburg-Prussian fortress in the 17th century.
Around 1820 the Colonial Office took over the British trading posts
on the Gold Coast. An agreement was made between the British and the
Fanti people to defend themselves against the Ashanti from the interior.
In 1874, the British declared the coastal strip a crown colony. The
Ashanti region in the interior of the country and the so-called
“Northern Territories” were finally annexed in 1901 and administered
directly by the governor in Accra. Some coastal towns were granted
indigenous local councils as early as the mid-19th century. In 1925
there was a constitutional reform under Governor Gordon Guggisberg.
Indirect rule was introduced in Ashantiland and the Northern
Territories. The traditional leaders there reported directly to the
governor in Accra. In the actual colony on the coast, a Legislative
Council with 29 members was introduced, in which nine Africans were
represented for the first time. Colonization wasn't all bad for Ghana,
as living standards improved significantly after cocoa cultivation began
at the beginning of the 20th century. Something similar can also be seen
after the Second World War. Overall, Ghana had higher living standards
during these times than in the post-independence period.
Over
40,000 soldiers from the Gold Coast took part in the Second World War on
the side of the British Empire. The majority of these were used in
Southeast Asia.
In 1946, through the so-called Burns Constitution, the Northern
Territories and Ashantiland were granted seats in the Legislative
Council. The position of the traditional chiefs was thereby further
strengthened.
In 1947 the United Gold Coast Convention Party
(UGCC) was formed, with Kwame Nkrumah appointed as secretary. He and
other UGCC leaders were temporarily imprisoned a year later following
riots in Accra. This year can be seen as a turning point in Ghanaian
history.
In the following two years, the national movement around
Kwame Nkrumah - who had now separated from the UGCC and founded the
Convention People's Party (CPP) - made a name for itself. She organized
boycotts and strikes and demanded the right of self-determination from
Great Britain (“Self-Government Now!”). In 1950 Nkrumah was imprisoned
by the British. Nevertheless, the CPP was able to achieve a major
victory in the upcoming elections. She also won the elections the
following year with an overwhelming majority. Nkrumah was released by
Governor Charles Noble Arden-Clarke (1949–1957) and immediately taken
into government. He had been Prime Minister since 1952.
Active
and passive women's suffrage was introduced under British administration
in 1954. In practice, complex electoral regulations hindered even after
the right of limited self-government (except in the north) was achieved
in 1951 and only Mabel Dove Danquah managed to be elected to the
colonial legislature in 1954.
On March 6, 1957, the British crown colony of Gold Coast and British
Togoland became independent under the name Ghana. In May 1956, in
British Togoland, the part of the former German colony of Togo that had
been under British administration since the end of the First World War,
a majority voted in a referendum to join the new state.
March 6th
was deliberately chosen as the day of the Declaration of Independence
because on March 6th, 1844 the Fanti Federation had agreed to a treaty
with the British through which the Federation became a British
protectorate. Ashantiland and the Northern Territories were not finally
annexed by Great Britain until 1901.
However, after regaining
independence, ties with Great Britain were not severed. Ghana was the
first black African country to become a full member of the Commonwealth
of Nations - from 1957 to 1960 as a Commonwealth Realm, since then as a
republic.
Women's suffrage was confirmed at independence in 1957.
The military staged coups in 1966, 1972, 1978 and 1979. The military governments were also unable to master the difficulties. Under the rule of the kleptocratic military junta of Ignatius Kutu Acheampong, the country fell even further into debt. Corruption and arbitrariness dominated the country's politics in the 1970s. In 1981, Air Force Captain Jerry Rawlings, after temporarily returning power to a democratically elected government, staged a coup a second time and initially ruled in a dictatorial manner. A West African Union agreed with Burkina Faso in 1985 failed in 1987. During his rule, Rawlings helped Ghana regain economic stability with the help of the World Bank and IMF, among other things.
In 1992, Jerry Rawlings gave Ghana a democratic constitution guaranteeing free elections, freedom of speech and press, the right to physical integrity and equality before the law. The one-party system was abolished. The human rights enshrined by the UN were also recognized. After the 1993 and 1996 elections, Rawlings continued to rule as elected president. After Rawlings was constitutionally barred from running a third time in the 2000 elections, John Agyekum Kufuor (NPP) won the election against former Vice President John Atta Mills (NDC). Kufuor was confirmed in office in the December 2004 elections. Free democratic elections took place again in 2008. For constitutional reasons, President Kufuor could no longer stand for election. Nana Akufo-Addo won the first round of voting on December 7th, but missed an absolute majority. In the following runoff election, NDC politician Atta-Mills prevailed with 50.23 percent of the vote, while Akufo-Addo only received 49.77 percent, according to the electoral commission at the beginning of January 2009. On July 24, 2012, John Atta Mills died unexpectedly in Accra. The previous Vice President John Dramani Mahama took the oath of office as his successor on the same day. In December 2012, Mahama was confirmed in office with 50.7 percent of the vote, while his challenger Akufo-Addo received 47.8 percent of the vote. A total of seven presidential candidates ran in the elections on December 7, 2016, including the current President John Mahama and the opposition candidate Nana Akufo-Addo. Akufo-Addo received 53.85 percent of the vote, Mahama received 44.40 percent. This was the first time in Ghana's history that a sitting president lost his office in a democratic election. On January 7, 2017, Akufo-Addo was sworn in as president. In December 2020, Akufo-Addo was re-elected as president.
Ghana has a flat relief overall, only reaching heights of 900 meters
in a few places. About half of the country lies below an altitude of 150
meters. The coast is 543 kilometers long. The country is geographically
divided into coastal plain, rainforest and savanna. In addition to the
geographical structure, Ghana can also be divided according to the
surface structure into the five natural areas: Low Plains, Ashanti
Highlands, Akwapim-Togo Range, Volta Basin and High Plains.
From
the coastal lowlands, the Low Plains, which is divided into the coastal
plain with wide sandy beaches and mangrove areas and a flatland between
the fifth and sixth degrees of latitude, the western country rises to
the Ashanti highlands, which have an average altitude of 450 meters
above sea level reached. To the east of the highlands is the Volta
Basin, which, with a total of 87,000 km², is also the largest natural
area. In the north the High Plains close off the country. The areas are
already part of the greater landscape of Sudan. The Akwapim-Togo Range
is a mountain range and natural area that begins near Accra and extends
into Togo. The highest mountains in the country are located here.
Around two thirds of Ghana's area, around 158,000 km², is drained
via the Volta, which is dammed in its lower reaches by the Akosombo Dam
to form the largest artificial body of water in the world. The Ashanti
highlands also give rise to a large number of river systems that flow
into the Atlantic.
The species-rich flora and fauna has
increasingly been placed under protection in the past. More and more of
these refuges are being opened up for tourism. The income from this
sector of the economy is also intended to make an important contribution
to the preservation of biodiversity as ecotourism. The remaining
rainforest is very rich in species and the constant temperature and high
humidity all year round promote plant growth.
Ghana is a tropical country, so it has no seasons, but rather an
alternation between the rainy and dry seasons. Days and nights of almost
equal length determine life. The climate in the humid south with its
evergreen rainforest areas can be roughly differentiated from the drier
north with its tree savannah, shrub savannah and the grass savannah in
the northernmost part. The Harmattan, a trade wind blowing from the
northeast, determines the dry season between November and February. The
rains in the rainy season are brought by the West African monsoon. Most
rainfall, over 2000 mm per year, falls in the far southwest of the
country on the coast.
The annual rainfall is around 1000 mm in
the north and up to 2200 mm in the western coastal section near the town
of Axim; at Accra it barely reaches 800 mm (for comparison: this roughly
corresponds to the long-term annual average for Germany). Only in the
hot, humid southwest does evergreen rainforest grow, which merges into
rain-green tropical forest. The forest stands are threatened by the
ongoing deforestation. Wet savannah and dry savannah follow inland.
The Akwapim-Togo Range is a hilly and slightly mountainous extension
of the Togo-Atakora Mountains in the countries of Togo and Benin. This
mountain range begins near Accra and then runs along the border with
neighboring Togo for a while until it finally crosses the border.
Waterfalls can also be found in the numerous gorges here. The mountain
slopes and hilltops are partly of volcanic origin and are entirely
covered with rainforest.
The largest elevation in the country is
Mount Afadjato, at 885 meters high, near the village of Liati Wote,
right on the border with Togo. The second highest mountain in Ghana is
Mount Dzebobo at 876 meters; it is located north of Mount Afadjato, also
directly on the border with Togo. Both mountains are part of the
Akwapim-Togo range.
Akwawa is the fourth highest mountain in
Ghana.
The huge Volta reservoir is located in the center of the country and,
with a size of 8,502 km², is about 15 times larger than Lake Constance
with 536 km² and would cover more than half of Schleswig-Holstein
(15,799 km²). It is essentially fed by the Black Volta (Mouhoun) and the
White Volta, Afram, Daka and Oti. After passing the Akosombo Dam, the
river, then known as the Volta, flows into the Atlantic Ocean in a wide
river delta. Together with the tributaries Red Volta (Nazinon), Nasia
and Kulpawn, the Volta River is the largest contiguous water system.
Lake Bosumtwi, which is around a million years old and originates
from the impact of a meteorite, has no inflows or outflows. It is of
great religious importance for the traditional population.
Lesser
known rivers are Pra, Bia, Ankobra and Tano, which flow directly into
the Atlantic. The Pra's tributaries are the Anum, Offin and Birim;
Together with the Pra, they form Ghana's second most important drainage
system. The Pra is only navigable by ships in its mouth area because the
upper reaches are characterized by rapids.
Other smaller rivers
are Laboni, Obosum, Sisili, Senne, Tain and Todzie.
Overview
Three different biomes predominate in Ghana. The tropical
rainforest and the wet forest are located in the southwest of the
country, the north and the central part of the country are characterized
by the wet savannah, which is divided into tree and grass savanna. In
addition, a narrow strip of the coast also exists as a coastal savannah.
The evergreen tropical rainforest contains the most lush vegetation in
the country.
The rainforest originally consisted of 85,000 km²
and is home to a diverse range of plants and animals. Due to the
different ecosystems, there is no typical flora or fauna in the country.
The individual habitats vary greatly. Nature is lush in the savannah
with its typical inhabitants, the rainforest with its biodiversity and
the Volta Delta as a refuge for a variety of migratory birds and native
species.
Due to the different forms of vegetation and the greater
human population density, the wildlife of West Africa is not comparable
to East Africa. There are no large herds of animals like in the East
African national parks.
Many plant and animal species are found in Ghana. Ghana's tropical
rainforest in particular contributes greatly to the country's
biodiversity. In the last century, the area of tropical rainforest was
85,000 km². Over the last 50 years, the area has shrunk by more than
half to 40,000 km². The country records a forest loss of 1.7 percent
every year. Clearing and the export of precious woods are the main
reasons for this very rapid decline in forest area. It is difficult to
make an exact list of the plants that live in the rainforest because
scientists suspect that there are still unknown species there.
The evergreen rainforest is covered by tall giant trees that can be up
to 50 meters high, three meters thick and 300 years old. These are also
species that play a major role in Ghana's timber export economy:
valuable hardwoods are supplied by mahogany species such as Azobé,
Sapeli and Khaya, also known as African mahogany, as well as several
species of African walnut trees. Other tree species include Odum, Wawa
(sometimes also called Samba, the trade name of the wood is Abachi),
Bombax and Afrormosia. Various fig trees such as Ficus spp. In the
rainforests of Ghana they can reach the size of a medium-sized German
beech tree. Various epiphytes such as orchid species but also lianas
show a great diversity of species. Common crops include the African cola
tree, the calabash tree (bottle gourd Crescentia cujete) and the
Brazilian rubber tree.
There are around 1,200 different species
of palm trees scattered throughout the country. The Cuban royal palm
(Roystonea regia) is used as an avenue tree in cities because it
provides shade and can reach heights of up to 25 meters. The Malagasy
traveler's tree, a popular decorative plant in Ghana in front of public
buildings or in gardens, is often confused with a palm tree.
The
originally Pacific coconut palms have considerable utility for humans
and were therefore introduced to Ghana. Many coconut products such as
coconut milk, coconut fat, but also bast and leaves for roof structures
and mats are harvested from the coconut palm. The native oil palm
(Elaeis guineensis) is very widespread as a plantation tree. Palm oil is
pressed from the red fruits of the oil palm; in West Africa, this has a
high status in the country's typical cuisine.
The most diverse
crops are produced through plantation farming. These plantations are
mostly found in the now cleared area of the former rainforest.
Pineapples, bananas, plantains, avocados, papayas, guavas, oranges and
other citrus fruits are grown here. Many spice plants, such as spice
vanilla, are also cultivated in Ghana.
In addition to the tree
species and crops, many decorative plants from all over the world can be
found in Ghana. Hibiscus, flame tree and fuchsias are just a few.
Grasses are typical savannah plants, but the character plant of
Ghana's savannahs is a tree: the solitary African baobab tree stands out
with its thick trunk and can be recognized from afar. The native shea
tree, also known as the shea butter tree, also grows in the savannah.
The shea butter obtained from the seeds is an important export product
of Ghana and is used to make cosmetics and food.
In addition to
mangrove forests, the coast is also characterized by various types of
palm trees.
Ghana's wildlife is very diverse. In addition to tropical bird
species such as parrots, hornbills, eagles, woodpeckers, guinea fowl and
pigeons that are native to the rainforest, the local birdlife is
expanded by a large number of migratory birds. Various species of water
birds occur in the Volta Delta, but also in the water landscapes of the
lagoons and along the many rivers.
Numerous mammal species are
native to Ghana. Several species of antelope such as roan antelope, kob
and bongo, leopards, civets, elephants, buffaloes, hippos, warthogs live
mainly in the savanna.
There are many different species of
monkeys. Chimpanzees live in the rainforests in the southwest, for
example in the Ankasa protected area. The Roloway monkey, which is also
rare, also occurs in Ankasa and Bia and also lives on the Monkey Hill in
Takoradi. Vervet monkeys are much more common and can be found in many
protected areas. Mona monkeys are the easiest forest species to observe
and live, among other things, in the reserves of Tafi-Atome and
Buabeng-Fiema. Geoffroy's colobus monkeys are also regularly seen in
Buabeng-Fiema. Baboons are particularly found in the Mole National Park
and the Shai Hills.
Reptiles are found in all areas of life.
Small geckos and lizards sometimes live in people's homes, iguanas,
monitor lizards, snakes and crocodiles live in the country's waters.
Ghana has an extremely large variety of insect species. Termite
mounds dominate the landscape. Some of the mosquitoes and horseflies
that occur transmit diseases, such as the mosquito Anopheles malaria.
The tsetse fly, which transmits African trypanosomiasis, sleeping
sickness, which is also dangerous for humans, is more native to the
savannah areas.
The Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Ghana
contains some of the world's richest fisheries. Important fish species
include barracuda, herring, mackerel, sharks, tuna, squid, perch, but
also marine animals such as lobsters, lobsters and crabs as well as
mussels and snails.
Some animal species that live in tropical
rainforests are classified as endangered or threatened with extinction.
An unknown number of animal species are already believed to have
disappeared, such as Miss Waldron's red colobus monkey, formerly native
to the tropical rainforests of Ivory Coast, Ghana and Sierra Leone,
which was last seen in the 1970s.
The West African Primate
Conservation Action (WAPCA) was founded as an international association
of eleven European zoological gardens to prevent the extinction of
further species. The Conservation of Species and Animal Populations
(CEPA) and the Zoological Society for Species Protection (ZGAP) are also
significantly involved in this campaign. Zoos and associations are
working to protect the highly endangered Roloway monkeys and white-naped
mangabeys. Both species are among the 25 most endangered primate species
worldwide.
The zoo in Accra has some of these animals for
breeding. On June 29, 2006, a pair of White-crowned Mangabeys had their
first offspring there.