Ghana Tourist Attractions And Tourism News Updates

Salaga Slave Market: A historical market of iron and shackles

You probably have read a lot about the brutal 19^thCentury slave trade involving Africa, Europe and the Americas where Africans were taken from their homes and shipped to the Americas like Cargoes to work in plantations and manufacturing firms.

But even before this era, slave trade did exist in Africa in the 16^th and 17^th century, though under very humane conditions compared to the Trans-Atlantic slave trade.

One of the very few evidence of the existence of slave trade in Africa before the 19^th century can be found in Salaga, specifically at a location now known as the Salaga Slave Market.

The Salaga slave market located in Salaga, the administrative capital of the Gonja East district in the Northern Region used to be an important West African city where traders from the northern part of Africa met with West African traders to trade in commodities such as cowries, beads, textiles, animal hide and gold.

However, in the later part of the 18^th century, the nature of trade in Salaga changed to include the exchange of humans for commodities. People were sold to traders coming from the northern part of Africa in exchange for commodities like cowries, fine textile and leather.

The traders from the North who preferred to be paid with humans, mostly used them as house helps or assistants who would assist them in running their day to day trading activities, it was devoid of brutalities or violent as the sold slaves were generally treated well.

With the arrival of the Europeans in the eighteenth century and commencement of the dreaded Trans-Atlantic slave trade, the Salaga slave market shifted its focus from trading with traders from the north to trading with Europeans who offered more for their slaves.

Today, the Salaga slave market is a pale shadow of itself, lacking in vibrant commercial activities and has been turned into motor park. Aside the Slave market, Salaga also boasts of other slave monuments including a famous slave cemetery and a slave warehouse. The slave warehouse was used to house and keep the slaves captive until they were transported to the coastal areas and sold off to the Europeans living on the coasts.

For any tourist wanting to learn more about slavery and how slave markets and centres looked like, Salaga, a town once famous for its trade in slaves and its vibrancy as a West African trading centre, is a must visit.

Inside Accra: The Craze For Fanciful Coffins

Accra is a land of many things, ranging from incredible festivals, to a complex cosmopolitan lifestyle and wonderful people. New trends ranging from fashion to arts and even food spring up all the time in the city and within no time spread to the other parts of the city like wildfire.

What then is this new craze in town?

Well we can’t exactly call it a new craze as it has been in the system for a while now and had people engaged in it over the two decades. However walking through the streets of Accra one can’t help but notice it has taken centre stage in the city.

We are talking about the ever growing fanciful coffins which line up the streets of Accra these days. Decades ago, carpenters and coffin makers used to make simple and modest coffins for the departed souls to be buried in. This has however changed drastically over the course of the decades, with the art of coffin making becoming some sort of competition among carpenters.

Instead of the normal triangular-shaped coffins, carpenters now make incredible designer coffins, designed in many unique forms; some to looks like microphones, some in the form of vehicles and so forth depending on the occupation of the deceased who is going to be buried in the coffin.

For instance it is now a common sight to see a deceased driver being buried in a coffin designed in the form of a vehicle and a preacher being buried in a coffin designed to look like a bible.

Pilots and airline workers are not left out

Make no mistake these customized designer coffins come at a higher cost due to the tedious work and time that go into making them. In the early days when the craze for these coffins began, they were made upon the request of families, meaning carpenters did not make them until a request come in. This has however changed as demand for them continues to sour and families visit coffin shops to purchase while on display.

The trend is not only common to Accra these days with the craze crossing boundaries and seeing other regions getting caught in the craze. Today, you are most likely to see some of these fancy coffins when you attend funerals in other regions in Ghana.

From all indication, the new trend is not one that will go away anytime soon, and that is if it ever would. If you ever find yourself in Accra, take a tour of the city and visit some coffin shops and admire the beauty and artwork that goes into making these beautiful coffins tasked with taking the departed to their final destination.

Dodi World: Luxurious cruise on Dodi Princess II, Music, Watersports, Kiddi Playground and unending list of fun activities

Dodi Princess Island, now Dodi World, is one of the few places in Ghana every Ghanaian family must make a trip to at least once in this lifetime, to enjoy the amazing and breathtaking experience the tourist destination has to offer.

Located in the Eastern region, the Island is situated in the middle of the second largest man-made lake, the Lake Volta, lying adjacent to the power-house of Ghana, the Akosombo Dam.

An estimated 1.3 million tourists visit the island every year by cruising on the iconic Dodi Princess II; a luxurious 150-passenger capacity cruise boat which carries tourists around the island amidst onboard entertainment, food, drinks and the “instagramable” views will not be missed by your cameras.

Dodi World provides an island adventure which includes a tour of game park and several beachfront activities. Boat riding and Jet Ski are just few of the several watersports tourists can enjoy.

At Dodi World, there is something for everyone, including children. The Kiddi Playground has been created on the island for kids to also have a good time partaking in safe sporting activities under the watchful eyes of tour guides who are well trained to keep your kids safe.

Unending list of Watersports at Dodi World

The island never runs out of music. After enjoying the live music onboard, you are met with two different sets of folk artistes on busking when you arrive on the island. They perform traditional folk musics and dances mainly from the Volta Regions.

Kwanpa Band, a VGMA award-winning band on Dodi Princess II

Adansi Travels sends tourists on cruise experience to the Dodi island every Saturday. You can reach them on 0247067375. Mention JETSANZA for a discounted rate of GHS299 (adults) and GHS235 (children).

Why is the small town of Larteh so popular and famous?

Larteh, a small town in the Eastern region of Ghana, is one of the most popular towns in in Eastern region and Ghana as a whole. In fact you will hardly meet an average Ghanaian who hasn’t heard of Larteh in his or her lifetime.

But why is Larteh popular and famous? and for what exactly?

Well the land of Larteh is one of the ancient towns in Ghana, first settled on my the Guans who are regarded as one of the first groups of people to migrate to present day Ghana.

But Larteh is not popular because it is an ancient town founded centuries ago, the town is reputed to have one of the most revered gods in Ghana in the name of Akonedi. A mere mention of Larteh reminds every one of the god, Akonedi.

Since the documentation of Ghana’s history, Larteh has been regarded as the traditional judgement grounds of Ghana where people who feel aggrieved or cheated visit to consult Akonedi in a bid to seek for justice.

The presence of this deity has single-handedly made Larteh a famous and well-known town, feared by many for the alleged mysterious power of its deity.

Tourists adventurous enough make the sacred journey to Larteh, located in the Akuapem North District of the Eastern region of Ghana, just to catch a glimpse of this feared shrine and what makes it so revered by all and sundry.

For the curious minds and daredevils who like to challenge their fears or satisfy their curiosity, a trip to the old shrine could be the ultimate test of one’s bravery and satisfaction of curiosity.

10 incredible drone photography shots of Western Region that will give you serious wanderlust

Social media users who have already seen these breathtaking photos are desiring to visit the Western Region of Ghana.

Ghanaian photographer Dextdee Livingstone of DextDee Photography took his Mavic Pro drone on a tour in the Western Region.

The photographer captured incredible photos of Cape 3 Points, Busua and the coastal village of Dixcove in the Ahanta West district.

The photos, which look unedited present the beauty of Ghana without the usual effects.

Cape 3 Points / Photo By DextDee Photography

Busua Beach / Photo By DextDee Photography

Ghanaian photographers have been promoting the country’s tourism by taking spectacular images which many couldn’t believe how beautiful Ghana is.

However, the over ten tourism ambassadors appointed by the tourism ministry to promote Ghana do not include a photographer.

Nalerigu: What the capital of the newly created North East Region has for tourists

Ghana has six more regions which add up to the existing ten to be sixteen.

The North East Region is one of the newly created ones and was created off of the Northern Region after voters voted YES in a referendum.

Ghana’s President Akufo Addo named Nalerigu as the capital of the North East Region.

Jetsanza.com takes a look at what’s in for tourists in Nalerigu.

Being the largest town in the East Mamprusi Municipal Assembly, the traditional capital of the Mamprusi people, as well as the seat of the Paramount Chief the NaYiri, there was no doubt that Nalerigu would be selected as the capital of the newly created North East region of Ghana.

Attractions in Nalerigu

Nalerigu Defence Wall

The Nalerigu Defence Wall is the remains of the Naa Jaringa Walls, which lie under a grove of trees. The wall is located in the village of Nalerigu in the East Mamprusi District, about 120 km south-east of Bolgatanga, about 156 km from Tamale and 8 km past Gambaga, in the Northern Region of Ghana.

This wall was built in the 16th century by Naa Jaringa (named after the African viper), a powerful chief of the Mamprusi ethnic group. The Defence Wall initially surrounded the entire village, but now only a few ruins remain.

The slave route, between Ouagadogou in Burkina Faso and Djenne in Mali, passed close by. The wall was erected for two reasons: firstly, to protect inhabitants from slave raiders, and secondly, to ensure that Naa Jaringa’s name would always be remembered.

According to local tradition, the wall was built with stones, mud, honey and milk.

Damba festival

The chiefs and peoples of Nalerigu celebrate the Damba festival. It is also celebrated by the people of Tamale, and Wa.

The festival is celebrated in the Dagomba lunar month of Damba which corresponds to Rabia al-Awwal, the third month of the Islamic calendar. In the past few years, the festival has been celebrated in November and December.

Damba Festival marks the birth and naming of Muhammad, but the actual content of the celebration is a glorification of the chieftaincy, not specific Islamic motifs.

NaYiri Palace

NaYiri Palace in Nalerigu is the palace of the Paramount chief of Mamprugu Traditional Area. The current Paramount chief is Nayiri Naa Bohagu Mahami Shirega.

The NaYiri, Overlord of the Traditional Mamprugu Area, sits in front of his palace in Nalerigu, Ghana during an enskinment ceremony for Mamprusi chiefs. He is surround by his traditional council of elders, subchiefs and warriors. NaBɔhaga Mahami Abdulai Sheriga, is the son of the late NaSheriga who ruled as the paramount chief of the Mamprusi in the 1950s and 60s. PHOTO: William Haun

Health Volunteers

Nalerigu is also popular among volunteers in the health sector. Medical students and professionals have volunteered at the Baptist Medical Centre in Nalerigu. The health facility provides volunteers who travel to the town the opportunity to serve the people in their respective medical fields. Volunteers take advantage of their stay to learn basic Mampruli language to socialise effectively with the locals.

IMB missionary Dr. Earl Hewitt rounds with patients in the pediatric ward at the Baptist Medical Centre in Nalerigu, Ghana. He is assisted by 4th year medical student volunteers Jessica Van Bibber (left) and Heidi Haun (right) PHOTO: Baptist Medical Center

If you are a nurse or a medical doctor, you may want to take up this volunteering opportunity.

Getting there

By Air

It’s not possible to access Nalerigu by air. However, travelers from Accra can travel by air to Tamale and continue their journey by bus. It’s 3 hours to travel by bus from Tamale to Nalerigu.

By Land

Traveling by land is highly recommended if you want to catch a glimpse of Kumasi, Techiman and other cities as part of your trip to Nalerigu. Traveling by land to Nalerigu could be tiresome if you are not using your own car which will permit you to make stops in various cities for even up to a day. It can take up to 15 hours to reach Nalerigu via Tamale.

References:
Nalerigu Defence Wall (Ghana Museums and Monuments Board)

Things Ghanaians do all because of Travel Visas

Obtaining a travel visa in West Africa is very strenuous due to the ever growing illegal immigrants from the region. Even as a Travel Blogger with travel experience to almost all the leading countries around the globe, I still have to apply many times to obtain visas to travel and promote their own countries.

In Ghana, procuring visas requires a lot and people are forced to present themselves to the embassies in a way that would please them by faking who they are or doing what they are not really ready to do.

Despite all the measures put in place, embassies issue more visas to illegal immigrants than to people with real intentions. This is due to the high level of “social and economic fabrication” by the illegal immigrants.

Visa applicants would go the extra mile to please Visa Officers and these are some of the things people are forced to do all in the name of visas.

Prayer and Fasting
As an Evangelist, I have never supported the idea of praying and fasting all because of visa applications. God has important issues to deal with. In the wake of fake prophets in the country, praying for visa applicants is a great source of revenue. Visa applicants are willing to pay prophets for special prayers to help influence the outcome of their visa application.

100% of people who seek such assistance are illegal immigrants. How would God help you in telling lies? These guys are forced to live righteous lives in order to gain favour from God during their visa interviews. Some prophets even mention visas in their commercials.

University Education
There is this myth that every university student is entitled to a visa once in the third or final year. Many people were forced to school because they want to apply for visas as students. Some who succeed either quit school or defer their courses for a while.

Saving for bank statements
Bank Statement of accounts is a major document required in a visa application. Visa applicants quit all investments so as to have the funds to operate a bank account to please a visa consular. Such people would just be wasting the bank’s resources in depositing and withdrawing funds on daily basis just to have a lengthy bank statement of accounts for visa applications.

Genuine travellers usually do not have very good bank statements due to the fact that their funds are invested in businesses.

Payslips / Registration of Businesses
Though Ghanaian laws may require, it has not been made mandatory for all businesses to be registered before obtaining a visa. When it is time to apply for a visa, a street hawker would even register his/her business in order to get evidence of a running business in the form of Business Registration Certificates.

Most employees are not given payslips by their employers. They earn fixed salaries that do not come with any explanation. When it’s time to apply for visas, employers are forced to prepare payslips for the previous months to aid the visa application.

Payment of taxes
Companies and other businesses that pay taxes in Ghana pay because they may need tax clearance certificates in the course of their business operations; either to clear goods at the port or bid for contracts.

Apart from these, people only pay taxes because of visa applications. Thanks to visas, the government is collecting so much money even from people who do not work but pretend to be working all because of visas.

Marriage
As social ties may contribute to the outcome of one’s application, people are forced to obtain marriage documents even without having a girlfriend or boyfriend. One could even name his sister as a wife.

Kids
If I have kids, definitely I would be returning after my trip to be with them. The birth registry is filled with names of kids that are yet to be born.

I know some years to come, the embassies would require that all family members appear at the embassy even if they are not travelling with the applicant.

Passport goes missing after every visa refusal
There is a myth that once an embassy denies you a visa, other embassies would also do same. As such people just throw their passports away for new ones once they are denied visas. This is one major reason why the Passport Office is always choked.

Thanksgiving at Church
Some successful applicants attribute their visas approval to God. Probably, God assisted them to blind the consular officer over the fake documents and approved the visas to enable him/her become an illegal immigrant. Very interesting how people think God plays part in such evil.

On Sundays, testimonies at churches are filled with that of successful visa applicants.

Paying huge monies
Despite most visa application fees being less than $200, people pay huge monies to ‘middlemen’ who do no good to their applications but to jeopardise the outcome. The media have reported several arrests of people duping visa applicants up to GHS 40,000 (almost $10,000) to assist them to obtain visas for various countries.

Travel Experience
This is probably the funniest thing Ghanaians do when it comes to visas. Visa applicants believe that having a travel experience would increase their chances of getting a visa. Yes, this is true but the funniest part is that one would just visit our neighboring countries without having anything to do there and record it as a travel experience.

What Really Sells Ghana Abroad?

One thing Ghanaian travelers are so good at is selling their country wherever they find themselves. Most celebrities and other public figures in their small ways also try as much as possible to leave a positive image of Ghana whenever they find themselves abroad.

Aside the Ghanaian being somewhat distinctive by simple appearance and bearing, there are quite a number of other things and brands that sells Ghana although the country hardly embarks on a coordinated international campaign to sell itself to potential overseas visitors. Here are some of them:

1. – Luis Suarez

Uruguay’s Luis Suarez, right, stops the ball with his hands to give away a penalty kick during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Uruguay and Ghana at Soccer City in Johannesburg, South Africa, Friday, July 2, 2010. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

Uruguayan professional footballer, who plays for Spanish club Barcelona and the Uruguay national team denied Ghana a place in the World Cup semi-finals by controversially blocking a goal-bound extra time header with his hands during the quarter final match against Ghana at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Though he denied our qualification to the next stage of the competition, his infamous handball has since then made Ghana popular worldwide especially where soccer is loved. Most times, I get ‘Suarez’ as a response when I ask other nationals if they have ever heard of Ghana. Could Suarez’s handball be a blessing to Ghana in disguise? Haha!

2. – Football and Ghanaian footballers

Whenever an international football club signs its first Ghanaian player, people in that country begin to acquaint themselves with Ghana. Usually, those moments are the first time most people in that country hear of the small West African country Ghana.

Despite playing against Egypt several times, Junior Agogo made Ghana more popular in Egypt with his move to Zamalek in 2008. When an Indonesian is asked about Ghana, the name Micheal Essien is mentioned. Our masterly performances in several football competitions have also earned Ghana a name on the international scene. It is for this reason the World Cup goes beyond the game itself for many nations across the world. Many people still remember Asamoah Gyan and his Azonto dance moves anytime he found the back of the net. Ghana has become a household name today internationally, thanks to football and the sterling footballers we have produced.

3. – Sarkodie, Stonebwoy and Sonnie Badu

Today, most music of Ghanaian origin do very well internationally than in Ghana. Wiyaala, Wanlov the Kubolor, Daddy Lumba are all Ghanaian musicians who do music internationally but today Sarkodie, Stonebwoy and Sonnie Badu are the few Ghanaian musician names on the lips of most people outside the shores of Ghana.

Lovers of the Christian genre of music are always quick to mention Sonnie Badu whilst the others too choose either Sarkodie or Stonebwoy. It’s no surprise they have had many international collaborations and received international awards too. Sarkodie raps mostly in the local dialect, Twi, and still he is always on the playlist of many prominent DJs across the world.

While visiting Zambia, I heard Sarkodie’s songs more than any other international artist. I think it is fair to say the Ghanaian hip hop recording artist, Sarkodie has high admiration among Zambians than many of their own popular music stars. Visit Zambia and other African countries and it will amaze you Sarkodie’s songs are played frequently on their airwaves. Good for Ghana, isn’t it? Should we be worried if music from other countries also do well in Ghana?

4. – Kwame Nkrumah

Ghana’s liberator and first President, Late Osyagyefo Kwame Nkrumah was a world acclaimed Ghanaian. He is no more but his contribution to the push for Africa’s emancipation keeps selling Ghana worldwide, especially Eastern and Southern Africa. Kwame Nkrumah’s life is today studied in schools in several parts of the globe. Ex-Presidents John Agyekum Kuffour and John Dramani Mahama have also gained popularity in East Africa for various reasons.

5. – Nollywood

Mercy Johnson & Van Vicker in the movie HAPPILY EVER AFTER

Contentious, right? When Ghanaian actors and actresses left Ghallywood to promote Nollywood, not only did they kill the Ghana movie industry and enriching their pockets but did us some good too. They sold Ghana to the world through the manifold roles they picked up in Nigerian films.

Movie lovers know that Ghanaians feature in most of the Nigerian movies they watch and as such are not able to differentiate between the Nigerian and Ghanaian actors. Many of these movies have received both widespread condemnation and admiration as they usually depict witchcraft and the urbanisation of these two countries. I have had many people ask me if those witchcraft seen in the movies are exactly things on the ground.

The kind of houses and cars used in these movies have as a matter of fact painted a positive image of Ghana and Nigeria making them a must-visit countries for most people. A South African travel blogger was so much excited when her trip to Ghana was confirmed. Kids in school in most Africa countries choose Nigeria and Ghana as their dream countries.

6. – Beauty Pageants

Some countries, mostly in Asia and the Americas have so much interest in beauty pageantry and so it’s no surprise their governments spend so much in supporting their representatives. Though Ghanaians are not so much into beauty pageants and with zero support from the government, Ghana’s participation in these contests have over the years contributed to the marketing of the West African country. Countries that are not interested in soccer usually get to know of Ghana through these contests. The beautiful cultural display by contestants leave a positive image about Ghana to lovers of the contest.

7. – Archbishop Nicholas Duncan Williams, Pastor Mensah Otabil and Prophet Victor Kusi Boateng

Archbishop Nicholas Duncan Williams and Prophet Victor Kusi Boateng at the Kumasi Airport

One of Ghana’s greatest export to the world are preachers, mostly prophets. Though many have left a bad image about themselves and Ghana as a whole, Archbishop Duncan Williams, Pastor Mensah Otabil and Prophet Victor Kusi Boateng are some of those currently held in high esteem presently. Most Christians worldwide know of Ghana because these men of God. Archbishop Duncan Williams is popular with his unique prayer delivery while Pastor Otabil Mensah is also noted out there for his great teachings. Prophet Victor Kusi Boateng is popularly referred to as the father of Prophetic Ministry in Southern Africa, with Prophet Bushiri as his ‘grandson’.

8. – Alomo Bitters

To many, this may be seen as an endorsement for a particular product which am afraid is not. I even have no idea where the factory this drink is prepared is situated. Alomo Bitters is a Ghana-made product found in many countries. It competes with other international alcoholic beverages and unlike the others, Alomo Bitters is permitted for sale worldwide. From its distilling to beautiful packaging coupled with the MADE IN GHANA inscription, the Bitters speaks well of Ghana abroad. It’s found in almost all grocery shops and shops that deal in alcoholic beverages. Interestingly, it’s widely sold by Ethiopians.

The power of Ghanaian waist beads

A bead is a small, decorative object that is formed in a variety of shapes and sizes of a material such as stone, bone, shell, glass, plastic, wood or pearl, and that a small hole is drilled for threading or stringing. Beads range in sizes from under one millimeter to over 1 centimeter.

Ghanaian beads are often objects of great beauty and style. These sacred adornments are worn and loved by men, women and children as well. It does not matter the age, young or old there is something for everyone. Ghanaian beads speaks of values, beliefs, achievements, status, rituals and ceremonies like rites of passage, birthdays, anniversaries etc.

Most of the pieces have a spiritual, religious or cultural significance to them. They are simple reminders of the simplest aspects of life; love, peace and happiness.

Waist beads are very powerful ‘instrument’ on the woman. They are common among the Krobos in the Eastern Region of Ghana. Some ladies choose to wear them in multiples, others wear just one. They’re made from recycled broken bottles and rubber. The main idea behind wearing of waist beads was to check weight, so when the beads get tighter, you know you’re putting on weight, and when they’re loose, you know you’ve lost weight. But, beads have other powerful effects like communication other than beautification and here are a few:

SIGNALING
When women wear them in multiples, they will rattle as they walk and this will send signals to men. The sound of it could send signals to the male’s brain and then down to his penis to erect.

SIGHTSEEING
When a woman is naked with the bead around her waist, it is a good sight to behold. They are worn loosely so they can rest on the V-boot, but others wear them tight on their bikini lines and these are beholding to the sight of men.

DANGER
In the olden days, there were beads when worn, signaled men they are in their menstrual period.

FREE ZONE
There are beads to communicate that a woman is horny. Those are usually made like crystals, they glitter, so when they are sighted by men they would understand what is expect of them. Therefore, if a beautiful lady is unable to ask of a man to sleep with her they can get the beads to do the talking.

NO SEX
There’s also the type of beads that signals ‘I’m not ready for sex’; when a woman wears, it means NO SEX! Men are alerted to back off when they see their women in that type.

Finally, when a man is impotent or sexually weak, LISTEN AND TAKE NOTE, an insertion of the penis between the skin of the woman and the bead; usually from behind for about 10 minutes resurrects the penis and gives it a good erection! Usually, after the first round of sex, it’s believed if the man starts touching and ‘praying’ the beads on the woman as Catholics do to the rosary, it brings power to the penis right away for another bout.

Ladies, don’t underestimate waist beads! Get yours, they are important! They are available at all markets across the country. Discuss with the sellers the reason behind your purchase and the right beads would be served.

Hidden but alluring: Fuller Falls at Kintampo

Located at some 7km west of Kintampo is the beautiful Fuller Falls with an estimate terrain elevation above seal level is 173 metres.

It falls gently from the east over a series of cascades along the Oyoko river at Yabraso in the Kintampo municipality in the Brong Ahafo Region.

The river flows into the Black Volta at the border between Brong Ahafo and the Northern Region at Dwire Kumboe.

The beautiful, spacious entrance of the scenery is a perfect place for rendezvous and reveling on any day.

The water falls provides tourists with a wonderful, peaceful, and a refreshing, cold pool surrounded with seats made of concrete and rocks where one can relax quietly and have a fair view of the falls.

The waterfalls was discovered by a Filipino missionary, Rev. FR. Joseph Panabang, in 1988 and was developed with the help of Adamu Amidu who was then a farmer along the river.

The place was kept as a prayer grounds and named “Our Lady of Kintampo Prayer Park ” where Father Panabang and people used to come for prayer sessions until he left Kintampo in 1998.

In 2001, in quest to give the site a facelift and attract many tourists, a private developer started building summer hats and other buildings at the site which was named after one Captain Fuller, a surveyor who plied his trade in Africa.