Ghana ? Rich Culture With Varied Cuisines

Dogbeda and me

Image by Allison Stillwell via Flickr

Ghana is a wonderful place to visit for not just its beautiful natural attractions and friendly people but also for it is wonderful and varied cuisine. Unlike other African countries, there is a lot to choose from for both vegetarians and non vegetarians.

The cuisine in Ghana varies according to the regions. You will get fish, trout and others seafood in the Volta region because of the proximity to the river. On the other hand, you will find diverse non vegetarian cuisine when you go in to the interiors where agriculture is not sustainable. Fertile parts of Ghana where crops are grown will give your cuisine that is filled with vegetables and meat dishes. You will have our lot of fun experimenting with local cuisines as long as you are bold enough to give them a try.

It does not make sense to travel to a culturally rich country like Ghana to eat your standard western staple food. However, you need not worry if you have a sudden yearning for a hamburger. The urban centers in the Ghana play host to numerous outlets that serve proper western cuisine. You will find it difficult to get such foods as you walk into the interiors but there is no point in traveling to the interiors unless you are prepared to experiment with your food.

When in Ghana, make sure you try the various drinks available in the country. From coconut water based drinks to palm wine – there are many choices and each and every drink will leave you yearning for more.

 

 

 

 

Rest and Relaxation or Sightseeing and Culture

Pinning down what you want to do on your vacation can be tough.  Is this going to be the badly needed, sit on the beach without a phone vacation?  Or will it be the I want to see everything this place has to offer vacation?  Perhaps it will be a little bit of both.  These are very important considerations in planning your next vacation.

Not every destination has beaches, so if it is the summer fun in the sun vacation you want, you will need to go to a place that has beaches, or at least pools for you to relax and enjoy.  If it is sightseeing, culture and learning that you crave, your destination may take a completely different turn.  You will need to decide exactly where you want to go and what you want to learn about that place.  If it is a learning vacation, will you be staying close to home, or traveling far to give the kids a chance to see how people live and the rich cultures of other societies?

Maybe this economy has you a little boxed in on your choices.  If you happen to live near a resort area or a coastline, maybe you will have to choose the rest and relaxation vacation this year.  It may save you money, money that you can use to take the sightseeing and culture learning vacation next year.

That is the great thing about vacations.  You get to decide where you want to go and what you are going to do.  Everyone has worked hard all year.  We deserve a little time off to regroup and reconnect with the family.  If everyone agrees on the destination and type of vacation you are taking, it will be a fun and perhaps educational vacation for all.

Endangered Animals in Ghana

Ghana is a low land country on the African continent. As with all countries it has a diverse amount of animals that are specific to the area. Some of these native animals are endangered, others are vulnerable and others are considered critically endangered which means that they are almost extinct.

Animal experts believe that these animals are endangered because of the high amount of human disturbance that has been caused to the land. Human disturbance is defined as building, hunting and other activities that are native to the land. In an effort to protect these endangered animals the country of Ghana has devoted a large portion of the land to a nature preserve. These preserves are off limits to building, hunting and other environmental damages that can cause harm to these animals.

Here is a look at some of the animals that were considered endangered, critically endangered and vulnerable as of 2004.

Critically Endangered. The Groove Tooth Forest Mouse has been listed as critically endangered. This forest mouse is a native animal to the country of Ghana. Ghana over the years has experienced a lot of developmental growth and has been destroying a lot of the forest land that was home to these forest mice. With no home these forest mice have started to die off and have eventually found their way on the critically endangered list.

Endangered. African Elephants are endangered all over the world. These elephants also call Ghana home. Other animals that are also endangered in Ghana include the Chimpanzee, Diana Monkey, Wild Dog and Red Colobus. These endangered animals stand a chance of survival with the proper preservation and land reserves.

Vulnerable. Vulnerable status means that the animals numbers are decreasing rapidly and could put them on the endangered list. These animals include African Golden Cat, Fat Mouse Species, the African Lion and the Buettikofer’s Epauletted Fruit Bat.

The Climate of Ghana

One of the first characteristics of a country that a tourist looks at is the climate and weather of their travel destination. If you are planning a trip to Ghana then you are probably wondering what type of weather you should prepare for and what the temperatures will be like. Here is a look at the climate and weather of Ghana.

Ghana is a very tropical country. Due to its location close to the equator it has very high temperatures and fairly consistent weather. Depending upon where you are located in Ghana you could experience rainy seasons and bright sunny skies.

When it comes to temperatures the country of Ghana rarely goes below 70 degrees Fahrenheit. These low temperatures occur in the evening during the month of August. This lower temperatures are due to the rainy season as August is very rainy in the country of Ghana. The high temperatures in Ghana occur during the months of November through January and can reach above 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

Generally Ghana is a very tropic and humid country. However, if you are traveling to the country between the months of April and September you run the risk of facing the rainy season. Ghana has an average of 43 inches of rain in the southern part of the country and an average of 83 inches in the northern part. The rainy season in Ghana can range from the occasional rain shower to complete downpours. If you are looking for less rain than the southern part of Ghana is where to visit.

During the months of December to March a very warm, humid, dry wind will greet tourists to Ghana. This wind is known as the harmattan and usually comes in from the northeast. The harmattan is responsible for making the weather during these months very dry, less humid and gives the country warm days and cool nights.

A Look at the Colleges and Universities in Ghana

When someone thinks of heading overseas for colleges and universities they might think of countries like Britain or Japan. Rarely does the idea of heading to the country of Ghana come to mind when thinking about college and universities. Over the past 50 years Ghana has grown from a one college country to a country that is rich with a number of different colleges and universities. Here is a look at some of the colleges and universities that are found in the country of Ghana.

The University of Ghana. The University of Ghana is the largest college campus in Ghana. It is located on the outskirts of Accra. The University of Ghana offers a wide range of courses to study and attracts a majority of the local students for classes. The University of Ghana is also known for having a number of foreign students that take classes there.

Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. Ghana also has a college that is specifically devoted to the study of science and technology. This college is known for offering some of the highest quality science and technology courses in the world.

Valley View University. Valley View University offers students in Ghana a chance to gain a college education with a balance in a spiritual education and humanitarian efforts. Valley View University gives students a quality education but also focuses on training them for vocational studies as well as leading a spiritual lifestyle.

University for Development Studies. The University for Development Studies is the equivalent of a vocational school in the United States. Instead of focusing on education it focuses on giving students the skills and knowledge to live and work in Ghana. The University for Development Studies also teaches students how to operate and open up their own business or place of employment.

Ghana Tourist Info: Must Visit Restaurants and Bars

One of the best parts about traveling includes being able to visit the various restaurants and eateries of the area. Ghana is filled with a number of great restaurants and bars that are available for tourists to visit. Here is a look at some of the must visit restaurants and bars in Ghana.

Don’s Place. Don’s Place is a Osu Jazz bar. It offers tourists the chance to experience some great modern jazz music while enjoying some great food. Don’t Place is known for having some of the best chicken in the Accra area. It’s a great chance to listen to great entertainers while enjoying a once in a lifetime chance to try some great chicken.

Ryan’s Irish Pub. Even if you aren’t into Irish pubs or bars you have to stop by Accra’s only Irish pub. Ryan’s attracts a really great crowd that allows tourists to really get a feel for the Accra area. If you are looking for some great Irish food or grabbing a drink that reminds you of Ireland then Ryan’s Irish Pub is a must visit location.

Vibe Cafe. The Vibe Cafe is really a must visit restaurant for tourists. It has some of the most spectacular views of the Accra area. The menu offered by the Vibe Cafe is one of the most unique menus in the area. The Vibe Cafe is also home to the only radio station in the Accra area and allows the Vibe Cafe to be considered a radio cafe. Vibe Cafe is the only radio cafe on the whole African continent.

Chester’s Place. If you are looking to get a feel for what the locals do then Chester’s Place is the place to be. Chester’s Place is a favorite of the local Ghanians. One of the unique features of Chester’s Place is the local bands that play every night there. It really is a great way to get a feel for the local area.

Booking Affordable Luxury Hotels in Ghana

The luxury Cumberland Hotel in London by Guoman
Image by Guoman Hotels in London via Flickr

One of the great things about visiting Ghana is that you can stay in a luxury resort without spending a lot of money. Hotels in Ghana that might cost a couple hundred dollars would easily cost over $1000 in some parts of New York City. This gives you the opportunity to enjoy a luxurious vacation without breaking the bank on hotel accommodations.

Finding Affordable Hotels in Ghana

When searching for affordable hotels in Ghana, be sure to check the most popular vacation websites such as TripAdvisor and Expedia. These sites are useful because they tell you how much the hotel rooms cost and give you some indication of which ones offer the best services. When you browse the hotels, you will find that many of them are affordable. A lot of them cost less than apartments for rent in Atlanta and other large U.S. cities.

Finding Luxurious Hotels in Ghana

After deciding which hotels fit into your budget, you will need to determine which ones can give you the services that you want. This differs from traveler to traveler, so you will have to read the description of each hotel to choose one that appeals to you. Some people will want hotels that offer spa services. Others, however, are more interested in finding a hotel located near the attractions they want to see.

Paying for Hotels in Ghana

When you book your hotels through travel websites, you take all the guesswork out of paying for the rooms. Instead of giving your credit card information to an overseas company that you do not know, you can pay through popular websites that are based in the United States. That way you know that you are paying a legitimate company for your hotel accommodations instead of falling for a scam.

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Ghana’s Culture Celebrated Through Food, Clothing, and the Arts

Ghana, a medium sized country in West Africa, currently has a population of 24 million people. The country has a diverse and rich culture, comprising of over 60 ethic groups such as the Ashanti, Akyem, Kwahu, Ga, Ewe, Fante, Mamprusi and Dagomba. Though English is the official language of Ghana, there are 52 major languages spoken in the country, as well as hundreds of dialects. Much of Ghana’s culture is enjoyed through its cuisine, clothing, and the arts.

Ghanaian cuisine has many traditional dishes that come from specific ethnic groups. However, most cuisine in Ghana includes a starch portion and sauce or coup. Starchy dishes include cooked plain rice, Jollof rice, cassava, corn dough and tofu. Typical stews and sauces contain tomato as a main component and protein such as fish, snails or meat. Popular soups include groundnut, okra and palmnut. An alternative to a starch and soup meal is “Red Red,” a mashed bean stew served with fried plantain.

Just as the United States celebrates cotton in its basic white t-shirt or True Religion jeans, textiles in Ghana are also significant. Perhaps the most famous cloth is the Kente, an Ashanti ceremoinial textile of different colors, designs and sizes. Culturally, Kente is a visual representation of Ghanaian history and is considered as a written language through weaving.

Art in Ghana is also culturally driven. Music has a diverse sound with each ethnic group developing their own styles. Instruments typically used in Ghanaian music include drums, goje fiddle, koloko lute and log xylophones. Some of Ghana’s popular music genres are Afro-jazz, Highlife, Dancehall and Hiplife. Dance, like music in Ghana, also follows the traditions of each ethnic group. Dances are performed for various occasions like worship, storytelling, funerals and celebrations. Common Ghanaian dances include klama, adowa, agahu and bamaya.

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What Do You Need to Know Before Traveling to Ghana?

Ghana has a very rich heritage, and offers travelers many great options while visiting. As with any travel abroad, it is always a good idea to understand exactly what is expected and what needs to be done before the vacation even begins.

The weather in Ghana is always hot, so there is no best time to visit. There are two rainy seasons, one from March until July and the other for the months of September and October. Humidity is to be expected, and the best clothing to take includes lightweight materials that are designed for the tropics.

In order to enter Ghana, visas and passports provided by the visitor’s home countries are required. A certificate indicating a yellow fever and cholera vaccination is also required. Vaccinations or precautions such as mefloquine are also advised for protection from malaria. It is a good idea to organize vaccinations at least four weeks prior to leaving for Ghana.

Major credit cards including MasterCard, Visa, and American Express are accepted at most places. The currency for Ghana is Cedi, and is indicated by (“). There is no limit to the amount of money visitors can bring into Ghana, however if bringing more than $5000 U.S. cash into the country, it needs to be declared upon entry. It is possible to exchange currency at most banks as well as with licensed foreign exchange bureaus.

An airport departure tax will be applied, normally around $15. Ghana also charges a Value Added Tax (VAT) of 10% on purchases, while restaurants will charge an additional 5% service charge tax.

Traveling to another country always calls for proper research to be sure that the laws and requirements of that country are being followed. It is important to ensure that all travel requirements are met before leaving for any trip in order to avoid undue delays and problems upon entry into the country.

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Foods and Drink to Enjoy in Ghana

The great cook out! Tacco salad with beef and ...
Image by UggBoy♥UggGirl [ PHOTO : WORLD : SENSE ] via Flickr

While traveling to Ghana, visitors can experience a wide range of activities and scenery, but one of the best experiences while in Ghana is the food and drink that is available. Tourists can enjoy tasty meals that are unique to each region in the country.

Ghanaian food is very flavorful, with many spices being used to prepare stews that are a staple diet of the country. Some of the spices include allspice, ginger, onion, garlic, cayenne, curry and chilli peppers. These spices are added to make the thick stews that are most often served with rice or yams. The most popular stews are Okra; forowe, which is a fish and tomato stew; bean or other green leaf stews; and plava sauce, a spinach stew made with either fish or chicken. Another one of the country’s national dishes is groundnut or peanut stew.

Traditional foods can be enjoyed in many restaurants in Ghana. Some of the foods that visitors will want to try include Kenkey, which is made of hot peppers and fish; Fufu, a dish consisting of cassava beans that have been pounded, rice, plantain or yam; and Akyeke, which consists of cassava couscous that is served with avocado. Visitors will also want to taste Akrantee, or bushmeat; and Fante fante, a dish that is popular in the central regions of Ghana, and is a palm oil stew with small fish.

International food is also widely served in many restaurants and hotels in the country. Accra features restaurants that serve Chinese, French, Middle Eastern and other European foods. On the coast, varieties of seafood, especially prawns, are very popular.

The legal drinking age in Ghana is 18 and some of the best drinks for tourists to try include coconut juice; Zom koom, which is toasted millet flour mixed in water; Palm wine; and of course, Pito. Pito is a beer brewed from millet in the northern regions.

The flavorful foods and drink that are abundant in Ghana make for some unique tastes for the tourist’s palate, and will be remembered as some of the best meals the visitor has experienced.

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