Ghana, formerly known as the Gold Coast has a whole lot to offer for prospective visitors. Aside being a political and economic heavyweight in the continent, Ghana has a reputation for her captivating and developed tourist centers which serve as holiday destinations for people from around the world. From the monumental castles and forts to the beautiful National Parks, spending your holiday in Ghana can be a great deal.
As a way of guiding you through your subsequent visits to Ghana, we list out some of the best holiday destinations this beautiful nation has to offer:
Cape Coast Castle
Cape Coast Castle is one of the ‘forty slave castles’ built by various European powers during the 17th Century in Ghana. Due to its historical importance of being used in the trans-Atlantic slave trade, the Cape Coast Castle serves as one of the most fascinating old forts in Ghana. Records have it that the Castle was built by the Swedes in 1637, which makes it 379 years this year. The Castle has been converted into a National Museum, where visitors can browse through readings about the history of Ghana, the trans-Atlantic slave trade and the Ghanaian culture. If you plan on visiting this monumental Castle, ensure you are taken through the dungeons and the famous “door of no return”.
Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum and Memorial Park
If you are well versed in history, the name ‘Kwame Nkrumah’ shouldn’t sound strange to you. Apart being dubbed the ‘founding father’ of Ghana for leading the country to independence, Kwame Nkrumah also served as the first president and prime minister of the former Gold Coast. As a way of paying tribute to this Great Ghanaian, a mausoleum was designed in his name in downtown Accra, the nation’s capital. Visitors to the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum and Memorial Park have a chance to get to learn about the life of Nkrumah in details and have a view of his burial ground and that of his wife.
Elmina and St George’s Castle
If you are someone who loves fishing, you should consider making a trip to Elmina. Apart from its fishing characteristics, visitors to Elmina also get to visit St George’s Castle, which was built by the Portuguese in 1482. The Castle is famous for being one of the spots where the historic slave trade were carried out. The castle harbors a small museum, where various historical artefacts can be found. Tourists can also take advantage of the available guided tours.
Kakum National Park
Kakum National Park is a forest which houses more than 40 species of large mammals that include forest elephants, forest buffalo, Mona-meerkats and civets. Tourists can also have the opportunity to see the over 250 species of birds living in the forest. A trip to the Kakum National Park is incomplete without experiencing a walk on the 30m high Canopy Walkway, which spreads through several bridges and is 350m long. A stroll on this Walkway will offer you the special chance to have a more captivating view of what the forest has to offer.
Kumasi
Kumasi is home to the famous Ashanti people who were known for their art prowess. From gold jewelries and trinkets to Kete cloth and wood-carved stools, Kumasi has a lot in stock for prospective visitors. Visitors can also tour the National Culture Center, the ever-bustling Kejetia Market as well as various craft villages on the outskirts of the city. For tourists interested in understanding how ancient Ashanti royalties lived, a visit to the Manhyia Palace Museum can be helpful.
Other notable places you can consider in your next holiday trips to Ghana include the Bojo Beach, the Aburi Botanical Gardens, the Wli Waterfalls, the Accra Mall and the Labadi Pleasure Beach.
