History
of Ghana : - History of Ghanaian coast dates back some 40,000
years, but it wasn't until the late 15th century, with the arrival of the
Portuguese, that a written history of the area came into being. The
Portuguese soon began construction of several forts along what came to be
known as the Gold Coast, where their plundered gold was shipped back to
Europe as ingots. The real money, however, turned out to be in the slave
trade, and the Portuguese traders' fortunes attracted the Dutch, British and
Danes in the late 16th century. During the next 250 years, all four nations
competed fiercely to control the trade, building forts and capturing those
of rivals.
In the late 1920s, a number of political parties
dedicated to regaining African independence began to emerge. Independence
finally came in 1957, making Ghana - the name chosen by Nkrumah after the
first great empire in West Africa - the first black African nation to win
freedom from its colonisers. Between 1966 and 1981, Ghana suffered through
six corrupt and incompetent governments, five of them military and each
fostering resentment among Ghanaians.
Military rule was formally
brought to an end with the inauguration of the Fourth Republic on 9 January
1993, which was preceded by the adoption of a new constitution allowing
political parties the freedom to organise.
In December 2000 a new
political era was heralded in as the conservative liberal New Patriotic Pary
(NPP) of John Agyekum Kufuour won both the parliamentary and presidential
elections, ousting President Jerry Rawlings after 20 years in power.
Full
Country Name - Republic of Ghana
Area - 238,540 sq km
(93,030 sq mi)
Population - 19.7 million
Capital City -
Accra (pop 1.3 million)
People - Akan (44%), Mole-Dagbane (16%),
Ewé (13%), Ga (8%), Guan, Gurma, Gonja, Dagomba
Languages -
English (official language), Ewé, Ga, Twi
Religion -
Christian (60%), Muslim (15%), traditional African religions (25%)
Government
- Parliamentary democracy
All
visitors are required to have a valid visa, except for citizens of countries
belonging to the Economic Community of West African States ( ECOWAS ).
Time -
Same as GMT/UTC
Climate
- There really is no 'best' time to visit Ghana, as the temperature is
always Africa-hot and if rainfall doesn't soak you, then the humid air will.
If you prefer your soaking tropical in nature, stick close to the beaches.
Whatever the season, the weather gets more arid the farther inland you go.
Village-specific festivals and events occur throughout the year.
Currency
The unit of currency is the Cedi (C).
Cities
- Accra The best introduction to the city is a good browse in one of its
main hawking grounds. Right at the heart of central Accra, the Makola Market
brims with glass bead and batik sellers, while Kaneshie Market on the
western side of the city is the one to hit for mouthwatering foods and
spices. James Town, on a short peninsula south-west of the centre, is a
handsome if dilapidated neighbourhood that's also worth a wander.
Independence
Square is to Accra what Red Square is to Moscow, minus any building of
note. The square is just east of central Accra; while you practice your
goose-stepping, notice Osu Castle - Accra's most historic structure - in the
distance.
Kumasi The ancient capital of the Ashanti kingdom, Kumasi
is still the heart of Ashanti country and the site of West Africa's largest
cultural centre, the palace of the Ashanti king. The city's major attraction
is the
National Cultural Centre, a 10 minute walk west of the
market. If you're looking to escape the heat, one option is to head next
door to the
zoological gardens, with its lovely gardens and somewhat
depressing zoo - picture caged chimps toying with broken beer bottles. Watch
your step, as crocodiles and porcupines roam freely.
Manhyia Palace,
better known as
Asantehene's Palace, is the palace of the highest
Ashanti ruler.
Aburi Botanical Gardens Just beyond the town of
Aburi, the Aburi Botanical Gardens provide a welcome getaway from the bustle
of Accra. Academy of African Music & ArtsWest of Accra in the town of
Kokrobite, the AAMAL is the place to go for free concerts on
weekends or to learn a few of those funky drum rhythms you keep grooving to.
Dixcove & Busua The colourful communities of Dixcove and Busua
have been 'in' spots for beach lovers and budget travellers for years.
Swimmers prefer Busua, with its long white-sand beach, while surfers enjoy
some of the coast's best waves on the beaches of Dixcove.
Fort Metal
Cross (1691) is another fortress-turned-slave storage barn, which -
while not as haunting as some others - has its fair share of horror stories
to pass on.
Restrictions
- Proof of yellow fever vaccination is rarely checked at the airport,
but is checked at the most borders.
