PLACES OF INTEREST
University of Ghana at Legon
Ghana’s premier center of higher education, it was founded in 1948. Set in
beautiful gardens, including a striking botanical garden, it also houses the
School of Performing Arts and the Balme Library.
The Markets of Accra Amongst the most famous markets of Accra are Makola
market located on Kojo Thompson Road, and the Osu Night Market, where market
stalls are illuminated by hundreds of lanterns and
candles.
Makola Shopping Mall
Located at the
Accra Central. Has adequate car parking space. The market was recently
constructed to replace the old one with the same name. One can obtain beautiful
African Textiles, Foodstuffs, Traditional Cloths and clothes, shoes, cosmetics,
etc. It also houses a bank, restaurants, offices, etc. Because of its central
location it enjoys a lot of patronage from residents in Accra and tourists
alike.
Agbogbloshie Market
Located near the
Timber Market on the Fadama Road. This is another newly constructed market. It
enjoys all the facilities as the Makola Shopping Mall.
Other local
markets found in Accra are the Kaneshie Market Complex located on the
Mallam-Odorkor Road, Kaneshie, and the Kantamanto Market also located in central
Accra is the capital's local and largest flea market. Items sold here are mostly
imported second hand cloths, shoes and household items.
The Crafts of Ashanti
The Crafts of the Asante
The
crafts villages surrounding Kumasi include:
Bonwire - 18km NE of Kumasi –
Kente weaving
Pankronu – 3km N of Kumasi – pottery
Ahwiaa – 6km N of
Kumasi – woodcarvings
Ntonsu – Adinkra clothe making
Asuofia/Asamang –
Barakese Road – bead making
Ampabame Krofrom – 10km from Ahodwo – brass
smiths
Goldsmiths and Silversmiths can be seen in
Kumasi.
Traditional Cloth Making at Boama
Traditional cloth making at Boama
20km from Techiman, the
village of Nsuta is famous for the production of Kyenkyen, a local folk weave
cloth.
The Centre of Ghana:
The geographical center of Ghana is
a tourist spot pinpointed close by in kintampo town.
Traditional Fishing Villages
Along the Coast of the
Central Region are a succession of busy fishing villages and traditional market
towns that reflect the distinct cultures of the district. Visitors to all the
villages will be welcomed with traditional Ghanaian hospitality. Of particular
interest are:
1. Winneba – famous for its fishing fleet, Masquerade
festival and local ceramics
2. Mankessim – well known for its Posuban
shrine busy market
3. Kromantse / Abandze – twin fishing villages, one of
the important trading centers to which the late Louis Armstrong, the great jazz
player, traced his ancestry.
Craft Villages
The villagers of the Central Region are
famed for their traditional crafts that are still worked as their forefathers
have worked for generations. They all make great Souvenirs of your visit to the
Central Region.
Particularly important villages are:
· Winneba-
famous for its beautiful and unusual ceramics
· Gomoa-Otsew-Jukwa- a village
of pottery makers
Grottos and Caves
Etched out of limestone, the grottos
and caves of Volta Region are dramatic. Not to be missed are:
1. The
ancestral caves of Likpe – 14km
from Hohoe
2. The grottos of Kpando –
Agbehoe and
Aziavi
3. The caves of Nyagbo and logba
4. Caves
and ironmine workings – Alepafu
The Village on Stilts of Nzulezu
An amazing Village
where life goes on in the centre of Lake Tadane, just 90km west of Takoradi. The
houses are built on stilts, and traditional village life adapts to the watery
conditions. The excursion from Beyin involves a walk through the reeds at the
lake’s edge, and a trip in a dugout canoe to the village. The village welcomes
visitors every day except Thursday, which is a sacred day.
The mines of Western Region
The Western Region has
several mines that may be visited, by prior arrangement.
The main sites
are:
1. Nsuta Manganese Mine – 20km southeast of Tarkwa
2. Prestea
Goldmines – founded in the 1800s just 92km northwest of Takoradi.
Ashanti Goldfields
The Gold mine is
locted in Obuasi, it is one of the richest gold mine in the world. For details
of visits to the Ashanti Gold Mine – available on Tuesdays and Thursdays –
contact the P.R. Manager on (0582-40494).
Kwahu Scarp
Breath-taking in its beauty, this area
is home to the Kwahus (pronounced Kwa-woos). On top of the mountain there are a
number of well-planned, picturesque communities with beautiful homes. Further
north of the Kwahu Scarp is the Afram Plain, which is a transitional zone of
wooded savannah land. The Volta River is at its broadest here, and opportunities
for boating and angling abound. Trips into the vast Digya Game Reserve are also
possible from here.
Krobo Mountains - Klowen
The Mountains are believed to have been the first home of the Krobo
people when they migrated to Ghana between the 15th and d 16th centuries. These
mountains provided a natural protective barrier against marauding slave raiders
and other invaders. However, in 1852 a 100-man British army forced the Krobos to
evacuate their home. Relics, interesting architectural designs and ruins of
buildings have survived, and can be seen on the mountain today.
Beaches
The Keta District has some of the most beautiful
sandy beaches full of coconut trees in West Africa. The beaches are relatively
clean. The sea is rough and shallow up to about 1 to 2 nautical miles in some
places. The best beaches can be found at:
- The Volta Estuary Areas from Azizanu to Atiteti. Woe-Cape St. Paul and
adjoining areas
- Keta-Dzelukope Areas such as Tegbi
- Kedzi areas
- Anloga and adjoining areas.
Lighthouse at Woe
There is a lighthouse at Woe not far
from Keta, which directs ships during the night. It architecture is very unique.
It is also believed that there is a huge underwater mountain off the coast of
Woe, which necessitated the building of the lighthouse.
Amedzofe
You will enjoy the weather and the people of
Amedzofe! The climate is very invigorating with mild breezes and clear skies.
Amedzofe's bird's eye view of the lush Volta Region and friendly people leave a
lasting impression on all those who visit.
Amedzofe has played a large
role in history, from the Ashanti wars to the German possession of the area,
which culminated in the construction of Amedzofe Training College in the 1880's.
Much of this history still lives through the stories or architecture of the
area.
How to get there!
Public transport:
From Accra, board
a Ho Bus or Trotro and alight at Ho lorry station. Board Amedzofe Bus/Trotro to
the last stop where you will locate the Tourist Office.
With private
car:
From Ho drive to Matse. Continue to Dzolokpuita junction, take the
road up to Vane and continue to Amedzofe. From Hohoe, one can get to Ho and then
continue as above.
For those travelling from Accra to Hohoe with off-road
vehicles, there is a rough road from Fume through Gbadzeme to Amedzofe or
through Biakpa and Vane to Amedzofe.
Bolgatanga Market
Bargain for renowned straw hats,
baskets, leather goods, metal goods, and traditional clothing in a northern
market that is a part of the historic trans-Saharan trade routes. Enjoy the
lively atmosphere, and chat with traders from the region, Mali, and Burkina
Faso, about their wares.
Tongo Whistling Rocks
These rocks create a dramatic
presence on the landscape outside Bolgatanga. Only 10km from the city, these
rocks also make strange, ghostly whistling sounds during November and December,
when the harmattan wind blows off the Sahara through the Northern Region.
Bolgatanga Museum
Displays in this little Bolgatanga museum include music, hunting,
jewellery, weaponry, and chief's possessions. Beautiful carved darkwood stools
and a bronze ancestor vase are the highlights of the collection.
Sacred Groves
These sacred groves are traditonal nature
reserveds created around shrines The Jaagbo Shrine 30km from Tamale has 25 acres
of untouched vegetation around the Jagbo fetish, sheltering medicinal herbs,
near extinct and sometimes mysterious plants. The Malshegu Sacred Groove at
Katalga 12km from Tamale has a Guest House attached.
Wa Naa's Palace
The 19th century palace with its
distinctive architecture is the official residence of the Wa Naa, traditional
chief of the Walas. In front of the palace are graves of previous Wa Naas.
The Atiwa Rock
Formations Located in Nsuta, it offers a
beautiful view of Kumasi and the outlying countryside.
Bamboo Orchestra at Masomagor
The youth at the village
of Masomagor have revived a traditional art, by performing with bamboo
percussion instruments to music and dance. It is worth taking a look at their
performance. This village is close to the Kakum National Park.
Woodcarving
The Krobo, Kwahu and the Aburi areas are
important woodcarving and pottery centers. Enyeresi is another woodcraft center
well known for cane production.
Kulungugu Bomb Site
This is a minor port of entry in the
Bawku District, on the far eastern corner of Ghana's border with Burkina Faso.
In August 1962, an attempt to assassinate the architect of Ghana's
independence and the first President of the Republic, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah
was made. En route to Accra from signing an accord with the President of Upper
Volta (now Burkina Faso) for the construction of the hydroelectric project on
the Volta, a bomb was planted and blasted at a village school, where he made a
short stopover. The bomb blast killed a young school child and injured others. A
memorial stands at this
site.
Regional Museum
Located in Bolga, the museum has a collection of terracotta
figurines representing the region’s cultural history.
Navrongo-Tano Irrigation Dam
The dam offers
opportunities for water sports and relaxation at the guesthouse.
Aduklu Mountain Hike
A
Tour guide right up to the topmost part of Adaklu Mountain leads this
challenging mountain Hike. It is located 12kms from Ho. You will encounter
colourful birds, butterflies, monkeys and the natural surroundings whilst
climbing. Camping is allowed on the mountaintop.
Dedukorpe Ostrich Farm
The farm is one of the
peculiarities of the region. A host of products are made from this bird at the
farm.
Kente Weaving
Agotime-Kpetoe is one of the two capitals
of Kente weaving in Ghana. In this rural village, the skill of Kente weaving has
been passed on from generation to generation
Antique Ceramics
Vume a small village near Sogakope produces large volumes of
antique ceramics known as ‘Soga Soga’. Large tracts of clay in this village have
helped the pottery industry in this area to grow.
Monkey Hill
In the heart of the twin city of
Sekondi-Takoradi is a tropical forest inhabited by monkeys. It is the city’s
tropical hideaway.
Tourist facilities are available.
Cape Three Points
This is the southernmost point of the
country and its lighthouse permits great views of the countryside.
Shairi Village
The
village of Shairi, up the hills near the Ghana-Togo ranges (16km from Nkwanta)
is unique by all standards. The climate there is invigorating.
Mountain Dzebobo
Mountain Dzebobo and others offer
beautiful scenery. The area has a cool near temperate climate. On top of the
hill, which is the second highest in Ghana, one can have a panoramic view of the
Volta Lake.
The Old Kete-Krachi Slave Route
The
old Kete-Krachi, now completely under water except for three building the German
barracks, used to be a very important nodal town as well as clave port in the
past. Now it is completely submerged by the floodwaters of the Volta Lake. The
main north-south caravan route passed through Kete-Krachi. Slave en route
southwards from Salaga, for example, were “shipped” in boats to river ports like
Akuse and Ada Foah in the south.
Dzemeni Market
Dzemeni market along the bank of the
Volta Lake is becoming one of the most important markets in the whole of
southern Ghana.
German Building at Kpando
There are two separate storey building once used as hospital by the
Germans at Kpando. Overlooking Kpando town is the old German Governor’s
Residency, a massive stone building. A few other relics can be found in it.
The Kraal Buildings
Only a few kilometres north or
east of Tamale, visitors will discover the first northern-style kraals set
amidst their surrounding millet fields. These traditional habitations are
totally different from those of southern Ghana, and also vary from those in the
rest of the country. In the Dagomba territory, all the kraal buildings - both
habitations and granaries are covered with straw roofs in the shape of conical
hats. Upon their first visit to a compound, visitors are often impressed by the
cleanliness of the courtyard, divided into separate areas containing living
quarters, livestock shelters or sanitary facilities. The ground, harder and
smoother than cement, is composed of clay blended with cow dung that serves as a
bonding agent. After application of this mixture, the surface is pounded down by
women or children singing traditional chants and wielding wooden mallets. It is
then further smoothed with a layer of liquid mortar.
The rounded openings
in the dwellings are often surrounded with multicoloured ceramic mosaics, which
on closer inspection; reveal themselves to be the skilfully salvaged fragments
of chinaware. Just in front of the threshold of the houses, a shallow ditch
connected with a system of gutters provides a means for the evacuation of rain
and waste-water from the habitation area to the surrounding fields.
The
women's huts are filled with piles of brightly coloured traditional pottery or
modern decorated enamel utensils, while inside the men's quarters, hunting arms
are fastened onto the straw rooftops and various ritual objects are ensconced in
niches in the walls.
Old Basel Missionary Building
The Akwapim Ridge has a long history of missionary work, especially
in the field of education. Residence of the area warmly welcomed the advent of
Christianity in the country, and that Christian heritage is still strongly
evident.
Ashantemanso Forest
Ashantemanso the ancestral origin of the Ashantes is 35km on the
Kumasi – Kuntanase Bekai Road, near Essumeja. Other attractions of a special
nature include the Kumasi Zoological Gardens, the Suame magazine and the kwame
Nkrumah university of Science and Technology.
Tamale
The Central market in Tamale sells everything
from groceries to motorbikes. Visitors will find this colourful market full of
hustle and bustle and the bargaining process between sellers and buyers
captivating. A visit to the leather tanners will provide a look at the
traditional process of tanning, which produces the beautiful leather products
including bags, purses, necklaces and boots. Other sites include the National
Cultural Center, a small zoo, and a botanical garden herbarium of the University
of Development Studies. Tamale is largely Islamic so you’ll find grand mosques
and very interesting traditional rustic mosques in which the faithful gather to
pray five times each day.
Salaga
One hundred and twenty kilometres to the
southwest of Tamale is Salaga, the capital of the Gonja East District which used
to be the biggest slave-trading center in Northern Ghana.
The original
slave market was moved south from Salaga to a settlement called Kafaba.
Unfortunately, much of Kafaba is now under the Volta Lake. The present road from
Tamale to Salaga is rough terrain. Salaga has a pond called “Wonkan bawa” (a
Huasa word meaning “the bathing place of slave”) and a young Baobab tree in what
used to be the Slave Market.
This existing Baobab is a replacement for an
original tree to which slaves were chained and displayed as wares for sale.
Merchants from farther north and the forest regions of the south would come and
barter salt, cola nuts, cowries, gold, and Europeans drinks for slaves. This
historical market presently doubles as a public transportation terminal.
Salaga was an international trade centre and had seven other markets.
Wells, which served as water supply sources for the township, and the large
migrant trader population and relics such as slave chains can also be found in
Salaga. Slave dormitories and other transit housing have been demolished and
replaced with new residential dwellings. The chains and other related artefacts
are in private possession of some residents and there are few sites of the slave
market available to visitors.
Daboya
Northwest of Tamale are the salt mines of Daboya.
Salt was an important and major item of exchange and used in the barter for
slave. Salt mining still goes on today, but more than salt, the town is noted
for its hand woven and unique textiles, which sell in the market of the Northern
Region. The White Volta also runs nearby and offers potential for boating,
canoeing and fishing.
Yendi
Yendi is the seat of the “Yaa Naa’s”, King of the
Dagbon State and is 98km southeast of Tamale and connected by an excellent paved
road. Babatu, the notorious slave raider is buried in this District capital.
Slave relics such as chains and Babatu’s armour are held in private possessions.
Until the First World War, Yendi and other parts of the Northern region were
part of Trans Volta Togoland and German colony.
The cemetery, which
includes the grave of German soldiers who fell in the war of resistance of the
Dagomba against German colonization, can also be found in Yendi.
Bolga
Bolga is the shortened version of Bolgatanga,
which is both a Regional and District Capital. It is north Tamale and takes an
hour drive on newly constructed asphalt road. Bolga used to be a terminus on the
ancient Tans-Saharan trade route. The eastern route from Northern Nigeria came
through Bawku and converged at Bolga with the Sahelian route from Mali via
Burkina Faso. “Dawadawa”, a traditional spice, and hand-woven cotton fabrics
were exchanged for kola nuts and salt from the handicrafts, especially straw
baskets, hats and fans leather goods, metal jewellery and indigenous attires
called “Fugu”. It has a small but interesting regional museum.
Yipkabongo
Yipkabongo is north of Tamale in the Builsa
traditional area, with access via Walewale, the District capital for West
Mamprusi. Yikpabongo and three other towns, Tantala, Yeziesi and Kubore are
noted for terra cottas, which have their roots in the famous ninth Century Koma
civilization that flourished in the area from Sandema, through the Fambisi
Valley to Kubore.
The area is a rich archaeological site where the
University of Ghana has done pilot excavations. Also of interest are the
traditional architectural styles, culture and customs of the people.
Paga Town
Paga is the
major port of entry on the Ghana-Burkina Faso border. It is 40 km and a
45-minute drive from Bolga. The heritage and vestiges of the Trans Atlantic
Slave Trade can be found across towns and villages in Northern Ghana. Slaves
were marched on foot and in chains along these routes to market centres where
they were sold to merchants. The merchants marched the captives to markets in
the south where they were sold to both European and local merchants from the
coast. The merchants from the south marched them on to the coast, where they
were held in dungeons until slave ships arrived and exported them to the
Americas.
Paga offers perhaps the most vivid insight into the lives of
captives on the 400-mile march to the South. A slave camp near the sacred
crocodile pond provides evidence of the harsh realities of the captives. Holes
dug in rocks which served as drinking troughs and eating bowls are very visible,
as are slabs of rocks that served as auction blocks and
graves.
The National Theatre
The distinctive
architectural of this modern building encompasses an important national centre
for the performing of art.
Accra Zoo
The Zoo is located when
travelling north on the Independence Avenue, past Sankara Interchange and look
for Afrikiko Restaurant; turn left and follow the signs leading to the zoo.
Their phone number is 021-772553 and it is open daily between the hours of
9:30am – 5pm. This is a small, but fascinating, collective of many birds and
animals indigenous to Africa. Some of these animals that are worth a visit
include the monkeys, snakes, lions, leopards, crocodiles, duikers among others.
Interestingly, the zoo was once part of Kwame Nkrumah’s estate. His original
house (in its original condition) is still located adjacent to the zoo.
Takoradi Port
Takoradi
Port was established in 1928 as the first port of Ghana, handling both imports
and exports. For several decades Takoradi port served as an important Port for
passenger vessels plying the West Africa – Europe route.
In 1986, the
Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority with the support of the Ghana Government
embarked on major rehabilitation of the Port, which included: - the repair and
rehabilitation of existing infrastructure and facilities – institutional
strengthening involving technical strengthening of management and training
supply of equipment including floating crafts, cargo handling equipment and
vehicles.
As a result of the rehabilitation, Takoradi Port now has modern
equipment and facilities to handle all types of cargo and vessels. The
institutional changes made have also produced a highly skilled and productive
staff and an excellent security network. The rehabilitation has contributed
immensely to the major improvement recorded by the port in the past decade. The
port now on the average turns vessels around under 1.6 days. Cargo output has
also risen from 1.3 million tonnes in 1987 to 3.0 million tonnes in the year
2000. The port handles over 65% of Ghana’s exports and considerable volume of
import annually.
The port now offer the fastest, convenient and cheapest
route to importers and exporters in the Western, Ashanti, Brong-Ahafo Regions
and the northern parts of Ghana. This is due to the Port has good road and rail
connections to the hinterland; it does not have problems with congestion and has
a system which ensures quicker and easier evacuation of goods from the
Port.
Bonwire
Located 18km on
Mampong Road. A settlement hundreds of Kente weavers. A wide variety of hand –
woven Kente fabric are obtainable I many of the local
shops.
Kumasi Zoo
The Kumasi Zoo
was established in 1957 by Dr. A.A.Y. Kyeremanteng who also founded the Kumasi
Cultural Centre. The Cultural Centre was set up to create a venue for the
reinforcement of Akan culture among the youth. One popular activity at the
Centre was the telling of Ananse stories. The zoo was a natural extension of the
activities of the Centre because young people could go to the zoo to see the
very animals they were hearing about in the Ananse stories.
The first
animals in the zoo included buffalo and chimpanzee but this has grown to include
a modest selection of Ghana's wildlife. The zoo is centrally located in one of
the most enviable locations in the city. One of the zoo's claims to fame has
been the successful breeding of Sooty Mangabey Cercocebus atys lunulatus in
captivity.
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science
and Technology
A Brief history of the
University
The University of Science and Technology succeeded
the Kumasi College of Technology which was established by a Government Ordinance
on 6th October, 1961. It, however, opened officially on 22nd January, 1952 with
200 Teacher Training students transferred from Achimota, to form the nucleus of
the new College.
In October, 1952, the School of Engineering and the
Department of Commerce were established and the first students were admitted.
From 1952 to 1955, the School of Engineering prepared students for professional
qualifications only. In 1955, the School embarked on courses leading to the
University of London Bachelor of Engineering External Degree Examinations.
A Pharmacy Department was established in January, 1953, with the
transfer of the former School of Pharmacy from Korle-Bu Hospital, Accra, to the
College. The Department ran a two-year comprehensive course in Pharmacy leading
to the award of the Pharmacy Board Certificate.
Once established, the
College began to grow and in 1957, the School of Architecture, Town Planning and
Building was inaugurated and its first students were admitted in January, 1958,
for professional courses in Architecture, Town Planning and
Building.
General Information
The University is
situated approximately on a sixteen square kilometre campus of undulating land
and pleasant surroundings, about seven kilometres away from the city of Kumasi.
The campus presents a panorama of beautiful and modern buildings interspersed
with verdant lawns and tropical flora which provide a cool and refreshing
atmosphere congenial to academic studies. It has within the short period of its
existence become an important centre for training of scientists and
technologists not only for Ghana, but also for other African countries as well
as from other parts of the world.
The University has six Halls of
Residence at the Kumasi campus. Three are mixed, namely Queen Elizabeth Hall,
Republic Hall and Independence Hall. Two are for men only, these are Unity Hall
and University Hall. Sixth Hall, Africa Hall is for women only. There is one
Hall at the Tarkwa campus Chamber of Mines Hall (mixed).
The Halls are
self-contained, each with its kitchen, dining hall and separate junior and
senior common rooms for students and senior members of the hall. The Halls of
Residence, the Administration Block, the Library and the Great Hall occupy the
central portion of the grounds.
The University started awarding its degrees
in June, 1964. All degree examinations are reviewed by external examiners and
moderators to ensure that the high academic standards are maintained.
There
are five Faculties, two Schools, two Institutes and one College all of a
comparable status headed by Deans or Directors or Principal. They are the
Faculties of Agriculture, Environmental and Development Studies, Pharmacy,
Science and Social Sciences, the Institutes of Renewable Natural Resources, Land
Management and Development and the College of Art. In addition, there is a
School of Postgraduate Studies.
International Conference Centre:
A 1600- seated plenary
hall. It hosts international conferences, arts, drama musical and fashion shows.
It is located opposite the Parliament House.
Oxford Street
As the name suggests this
not a shopping centre but a street where you would find a cluster of very fine
and unique shops, restaurants, hotels, a hospital, banks, forex bureaux, toy
shops, handicraft shops, state-of- the-art electronic shops, card and gift
shops, a casino, night clubs, ice cream parlours, fast food restaurants, grocery
shops, etc.
Oxford Street got its name from London's Oxford Street. It
also has a night market, retailing local food and what have you. You will only
hear about in the grapevine some fly-by-night places.
Academy of African Music and Art
The Kokrobite Academy of African Music and Art, Accra is located on
the beautiful Southern coast of Ghana, 30 kilometres away from Accra. This
authentic African holiday paradise offers a unique combination of beach and
music, dance and art. The houses are built in the style of African architecture,
surrounded by coconut palms and tropical flowers. In their own bay at the beach
of the Atlantic, the vacationists and those who are interested in culture have
the chance to rest and mediate. The Academy offers classes taught by
highly-skilled teachers who are all members of the world-famous Obonu-Royal-Drum
of Ghana group which have international experience. Every Saturday and Sunday
the Academy is a meeting point where you can experience African music and the
local dancing culture first hand.
A concert hall (up to 200 people) for
performances and classes with ballroom are erected in the African style of the
rotundas and caused by the unique architectural construction which gives optimal
ventilation and a wooden dance floor.
Tema Port
Tema city
and port lies in southeastern Ghana along the Gulf of Guinea (Atlantic Ocean),
18 miles (29 km) east of Accra. Tema Port is the biggest of two sea ports in
Ghana. It has water-enclosed area of 1.7 million square metres and a total land
area of 3.9 million square metres.
The Port of Tema is more than a mere
loading or unloading place for goods. It is also a traffic junction, where goods
are transhipped and transit cargo destined for the hinterlands/landlocked
countries of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger are handled.
It is equally a port
with a wide range of industrial and commercial companies, producing or handling
among others petroleum products, cement, food items, iron and steel, aluminium
products and textiles.
Opened formally in 1962, Tema's harbour encloses 410
acres (166 hectares) of sea and is Africa's largest man-made harbour. There are
3 miles (5 km) of breakwaters, 12 deepwater berths, an oil-tanker berth, and a
dockyard, warehouses, and transit sheds.
The port's container yard is capable
of holding over 8,000 TEU's at any given time. There are 290 reefer points
available. A separate fishing harbour with cold-storage and marketing facilities
is east of the lee breakwater.
The government acquired 64 square miles (166
square km) of land north of the harbour and entrusted it to the Tema Development
Corporation (1952). The “New Town” that was subsequently built on the site was
planned as an industrial-residential complex. There was a large influx of
population beginning in the 1960s owing to the new employment opportunities, but
the corporation was unable to construct housing and provide other services to
meet the needs of this migration. The result was the creation near Tema in an
area called Ashiaman.
Tema port was commissioned in 1962. The harbour which
was a monumental legacy of the late Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, President of the
First Republic, who was anxious to see rapid industrialization of the
country.
Most of the country’s chief export, cacao, is shipped from Tema.
Manufactures include aluminum, steel, refined petroleum, soap, processed fish,
chocolate, textiles, cement, and chemicals.
Tema port handled 6.3 million
tones of cargo in 2000, nearly three quarters of total sea-borne trade for
Ghana, whilst the export was little over half of sea-borne exports. For 2001
this figure dropped slightly to 6.14 million tonnes. Of this 5.07 million tonne
was imports and 783,000 tonne exports and 283,000 tonne was transit cargo.
Sekondi-Takoradi Port
Sekondi-Takoradi port is situated on the Gulf of Guinea (Atlantic
Ocean) in southern Ghana. Both the Dutch and British built forts at Sekondi in
the 17th century that were destroyed by the Ahanta. Fort Orange, rebuilt by the
Dutch and bought by the British in 1872, still survives as a lighthouse. Sekondi
flourished in the 1900s after construction of the railroad (1903) to the mineral
and timber resources of the hinterland & the interior goldfields. A
deepwater harbour was constructed at Takoradi in 1928.
Takoradi is Ghana's
mail export port with around 500 vessel calls per year handling 65% of Ghana's
exports. Main commodities are manganese, bauxite, timber and cocoa. Takoradi
handles over 2.2 million tons of cargo per year.
Sekondi and Takoradi, a
single municipality since 1946, became one city in 1963. Takoradi is
well-planned, with two breakwaters enclosing 220 acres (90 hectares) of sea with
quay berths (5 multi-purpose and 3 dedicated berths) and lee facilities for
loading bauxite and discharging oil. The harbour is the terminus of several
Ghana railways and is served by road and air. Sekondi-Takoradi also has light
industrial, agricultural, and fishing enterprises.
Sekondi-Takoradi also
has shipbuilding, railroad repair, and cigarette industries. The two parts of
the city developed around Dutch and English forts built in the 17th century.
Takoradi port is gearing up for futher upgrades and increased private sector
participation. The Port Authority has secured land close to the harbour to be
leased to private investors for the development of fish processing and cold
storage facilities. There are also plans to extend the clinker-bauxite jetty and
the main breakwater. The old log pond will be reclaimed for use as a container
handling area and there are also plans for the construction of new offices and a
marine operation berth.
James Town
An enclave almost
entirely inhabited by fisher-folk, perhaps the most surprising aspect of James
Town is its unpresupposing, village-like aspect. In general, maritime capitals
usually have industrial installations corresponding to their importance.
Once
again, Accra astonishes by its indifference to the sea; its port is wholly
devoted to artisanal fishing, as the modest surrounding quarters – occupying the
place of honour usually given to commerce and international hotels- amply
testify.
The atmosphere is totally different – and all the more so during
Homowo in neighbouring Ussher Town. As the fever of the celebration mounts with
the thundering drums, enthusiastic crowed encircle groups of kaolin-painted
traditional dancers.
Everyone here seems to know everyone else: joking and
bantering, the onlookers alternate between following the intricate steps of the
dancers and the antics of the local youngsters. There’s no reason for timidity
here, and visitors should not hesitate asking for explanations as to the meaning
of the celebrations taking place before them, explanations which will be offered
with the greatest kindness on the part of the local population.
Outside the
circle of the festivities, the crackle of fireworks and the excited cries of
children announces the stirring arrival of the city’s chieftains, mounted upon
canopy shaded thrones borne upon the shoulders of their retainers. As firearms
of all calibres and ages are emptied in a joyous salute, the odour of gunpowder
mingles with that of the free-flowing local schnapps. The resulting scene is a
rare vision of timeless, immemorial Africa, unchanged by modern life and
contemporary influence.
Cape Coast Town
To the
west of Accra lies Cape Coast the Capital of Central Region. Cape Coast was the
Capital of Gold Coast before it became Ghana, and was moved to Accra in 1877.
Cape Coast is 144-km away from Accra. This region is very famous for its forts
and castles. For the coconut-shaded beaches you won't miss.
This is the
region that Europeans first came into contact with the tropics. It is the only
place that Columbus spent some time on his Voyage to discover the New World.
Winneba
Winneba is an old coastal town on the "Gulf of
Guinea", located 35 miles west of Accra, the capital city of Ghana. In the early
colonial history of Gold Coast, as Ghana was then called, Winneba served as a
port town. Vestiges of this colonial past are old warehouses of the Elder
Dempster Lines, still to be found on the coastline.
Many a tourist today know
Winneba for its annual "Deer Hunt Festival" held in May each year, and its
unique "Fancy Dress Contest", backed by Brass Band music, which is held on
January 1st each year. By nature, music is the heart of the Efutu people of
Winneba, and in the past every scholar of the town was expected at least to know
how to play the piano.
Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana
The Cocoa Research
Institute established in June, 1938 is located at New Tafo, 24km from Koforidua.
It has arboretums and model farms. Botanists will find the Institute of
particular interest. The institute also has recreational facilities including a
bar and golf course, which can be booked by advance reservation.
BEAD MAKING
Somanya and Odumase Krobo are recognized as
bead making centres and
there is a well known bead market in
Koforidua.
UNUSUAL ROCK FORMATIONS
Rockhouse
(Obodan), Bruku shrine, caves at Obom are all notable rock formations.
DIAMOND MINES
At Akwatia, 2 hours drive from Accra, is
the only diamond mine in the country. This open-cast mine is open to tourists.
It has recreational facilities and a guest- house.
CULTURAL CENTRE
Prempeh II Museum of Ashanti Culture and
History.
Opens Tuesdays – Sundays from 8.00 a.m.– 4.00p.m.
Mondays, from
2.00 p.m. – 5.00p.m.
Craft Shops
Observe "Kente" weavers, "Adinkra"
textile printers, wood carvers and local brass-smiths at work.
Gift Shops
Local textiles, leatherworks, carvings and other Ghanaian crafts may be
bought at affordable prices.
Cultural Lessons
Traditional dances and
drumming lessons are available for a fee on request.
CENTRAL MARKET
Largest of its kind in West Africa. Opens
daily from 6:00 am – 6:00pm. Anything from foodstuffs,
jewellery, livestock
and herbal medicine can be purchased through lively
bargaining.
OSTRICH FARM
The Ostrich Farm is located at
Efutu Mampong about 14km from Cape Coast on the KNP Road. The ostrich is the
world's largest living bird belonging to the small order of birds known as
Ratitae or running birds. The Ostrich can live up to between 30-70 years.
REFERENCE:www.modernghana.com
www.westfieldsrealestate.com
