Highlights of Ghana

West Africa

9 Days/7 Nights

Travelers to Ghana are met with jovial smiles and waves, even in the big cities. Many of its visitors are Afro-Americans keen to learn about their African history,and for some it is an emotional experience.

Day 1 – Departure

Depart this evening for Ghana.

Day 2 – Accra

Welcome to Accra, the capital. Upon arrival your Learning Through Travel representative will greet you to assist with airport formalities and transfer to your hotel. After check in at the hotel and time to freshen up, enjoy lunch and a visit to the village of Odumasi Krobo.

Day 3 – Accra/Cape Coast

This morning you drive west through Accra to Cape Coast. Ghana was the first West African nation to achieve its independence from Britain in 1957. Much of Ghana’s rich history centers on the once great Asante Empire. The area known as the Gold Coast was colonized by several European nations, among them Holland, Portugal, Denmark and Britain. Along the way stop in Jamestown to see the fishermen prepare the nets and their brightly painted boats. Pass through Winneba and the home of Dr. Alex Sackey, the first president of the United National General Assembly. Visit the historical Fante towns of Mankessim, Anombo, Saltpond and Kormantse-Abandze where the first slave revolt took place. Arrive at Cape Coast Castle, a beautiful white castle and fort with canons and ramparts facing the sea, built by the Swedes as Fort Carolusburg in 1652. In 1662 it became Danish and English. Architecturally interesting, the fortresses were originally built for the defense of European economic interests. Visit the small historical museum on the complex which houses manacles, chains, cannons and documentary pictures which gives testimony to the said trade that was conducted here and see the dungeon where slaves were kept. Cape Coast Women’s Center contains a small shop selling lovely batik clothing made by local women. After time to browse continue by bus to the old town of Elmina. Notice the influence of the Dutch and Portuguese and see St. George’s the largest and most famous castle on the coast, the oldest European structure in Sub-Saharan Africa. Believed to have been built by the Portuguese in 1482, it served the gold and ivory trade and held slaves until the ships arrived to take them to the New World.  See the Negotiation House where slave prices were determined, and down a secret passage from the Governor’s residence to the female slave yard.  This excursion is most moving and frequently emerges as a highlight of any West African tour. At the peak of the slave trade more than 50 fortifications guarded these shores. It is known that Christopher Columbus spent several days at Elmina Castle on his way to America. Many explorers used the castle as a stopover on their travels around the Cape of Good Hope. Afterwards you stop for a visit to the Wesley Girl’s High ‘School, established in 1836.

Day 4 – Cape Coast/Kumasi

Today you drive north to Kumasi passing through a land rich in gold, arrive in time for dinner. Kumasi is the center from which you will visit several outlying villages, each known for expert artisans in a particular craft. You will be introduced to the weaving village of Wonoo, where you visit the work shop of Cloths displayed by many prestigious clients in the United States including the Smithsonian Institute in Washington DC. Walk through the weaving center to see how the Cloth is produced and how this art form is passed from elder artisans to the next generation. The apprentice system of fathers pass on their craft to their sons, Kente weaving will be carried on for many generations. Continue to historic Bonwire, where the clothing for Otumfuo Opoku Ware II, the late Asantehene was woven.  Here you have leisure time to browse through the many stalls. Meet Samuel Cofi, a master weaver who was invited to UCLA to do weaving workshops in 1998, sponsored by the Fowler Museum in Berkeley California. After returning to town you have time to browse the Kumasi Market, one of the largest in West Africa, where a variety of fine crafts and souvenirs can be purchased. For those who want a dress or suit made, good tailors are available who can make an outfit in half a day.  Proceed to Ahwiaa, a village of woodcarvers, where you can observe the men with their traditional carving. The village is best known for its hand carving of the famous Asante stools, sculptured figures, chairs, fetishes and other decorative items. Continue to Ntonso where the hand stamped Adinkra cloth is produced. The dyes used for the stamping are derived from the roots of trees. This cloth is far less costly than Kente Cloth worn on specific occasions. Our guide will explain the symbols stamped on the cloth. Return back to Kumasi for dinner.

Day 5 – Kumasi/Fiema Boabeng/Kumasi

Today depart for the villages of Boabeng and Fiema in the Brong Ahafo Region, where you find    the Boabeng-Fiema Sanctuary, one of the great highlights of this tour. In this sanctuary see monkeys, usually shy and difficult to see, swing peacefully from tree to tree. They are protected by villagers who consider these primates to be sacred representatives of their deity, Abujo, who inhabits the Daworo River. You will spend the morning in the sanctuary, which is also home to several species of butterflies due to a tree indigenous to the area. Wander in the friendly village to watch the interaction between villagers and monkeys.  While returning to the hotel, a stop will be made along the way to visit the Kumasi Market.

Day 6 – Kumasi/Accra

Today you will return to Accra where you see Independence Square, at times called Black Star Square. This square with its independence Arch is to Accra what Red Square is to Moscow. After checking into the hotel and time for lunch, visit the Art Center. Here you have the opportunity to admire and purchase paintings, carvings, drums, and batiks all made by local artists. Art is the rule rather than the exception in Ghana. Nar the Art Center is the Nkrumah Memorial Park which contains the mausoleum of Ghana’s fifth president Dr. Kwame Nkruman. A monument stands here to honor and keep the dream alive of Dr. Nkruman Africa’s greatest Pan-Africanist. Visit the small museum inside the mausoleum. Continue to the William Edward Burghardt Du Bois Center, an American who shared Dr. Nkrumah’s dream of Pan-Africanism and lived in Ghana upon his retirement.

Day 7/8 – Accra

The next two days you may enjoy at your leisure.

Day 9 – Sunday – Departure

Farewell to Ghana as you transfer to the airport for your return. Arrive home, your heart and mind filled with many memories of Ghana.