Ghana is a diverse country located in West Africa bordering Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, and Togo. It’s geographical diversity ranges from beaches to lush forest full of wildlife.

You could even make a safari in Ghana, but let’s be real, that’s not the only reason people come.

Ghana’s beautiful biodiversity and geographic diversity is trumped by its history, traditions, and culture. Most people vacation in Ghana to learn more about it and keep coming back because you can never learn it all. If you have decided to visit Ghana here are five cities you must see without a doubt!

Accra

It goes without saying that Ghana’s capital city Accra can stand on its own when it comes to tourism. Accra is located right on the Gulf of Guinea allowing for plenty of options for relaxation coupled with city life. It is home to Jamestown, an eccentric and ecliptic 17th century fishing village surrounded by old slave and prison forts. W.E.D DuBois once called Accra his home and left a piece of his legacy and himself there when he died. It has museums galore and holds the history of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, the first prime minister of Ghana and one of the fathers of Pan-Africanism. It also has iconic structures such as the Independence Square Arch and the Black Star Monument.  Finally, it has the renowned Makola Market with its overwhelming sounds, sites, and smells. One could find almost anything they desire there and more. Accra is also known for its nightlife and restaurants that have class and grace that could rival any world power. It’s worth a visit of at least two to three days. Learn more about the Must-See Sites of Accra  in my blog post.

Elmina

A trip to Ghana is not complete without paying pilgrimage to the millions of souls who were forcibly removed from Africa’s West Coast. It’s a sobering reminder of one of the world’s darkest periods. Elmina is home to the Elmina Castle, a 15th century Portuguese Fort that started off as a trading post and then later a slave trading post. It’s one of the oldest existing European buildings in the south of the Sahara. The door of no return can be visited here and it’s an emotional journey for all peoples from the Americas. Two to three days can be spent here to take in the full impact of Elmina on the TransAtlantic slavery trade and it’s lasting impact on the Africa diaspora.

Elmina is also a colorful and interesting city in itself. It’s surrounded by fishing boats, coasts and colorful houses line many of its streets in the historic district. UNESCO has declared the city a world heritage site. It also holds the graves of some of the Dutch early settlers. Because of its popularity as a tourist destination there’s an amply things to do and see. However there’s also an increased opportunity for scams but most people you encounter are simply trying to make a living from the increase in tourism.

Close to Elmina lies Cape Coast where additional slave forts and towns can be explored. It’s also where the Obama’s visited during their iconic visit to Ghana back in 2009. The entire Golden Coast of Ghana is totally worth a look.

Tafi Atome Monkey Sanctuary

If you are traveling from anywhere close to the Togo/Ghana boarder then you simply cannot miss the change to spend a few hours at the Tafi Atome Monkey Sanctuary. This friendly spot in a tiny village is where nature meets cheeky monkeys. The sanctuary houses a unique kind of money native to the surrounding areas. Legend has it that when the town’s ancestors were looking for a new place to settle after being driven from their homeland by war they came across a sacred forest which sheltered them. The ancestors decided to settle there and declared the forest sacred as well as all of its inhabits. The monkeys, in particular, were helpful to the villagers for their survival. This belief and reverence of the monkeys continued until the area was occupied by foreign missioners who discourage pagan worship of idols outside of the church. The status of the monkeys declined and they began to be seen as pests instead of sacred. It was not until the 1990’s, due to intervention by local conservationist, that the monkeys’ sacred place in the community was restored. Now the cheeky monkeys bring in a huge source of revenue for the villagers and there are laws against hurting them.  The money spent to enter the sanctuary and take a walk with the monkeys goes toward their conservation. You can even feed some of the friendlier ones. If you can manage a day trip here it’s sure to delight the senses and you’ll be helping the locals. Also, it’s totally great for humane Instagram pics.

Kakum National Park

CC: Christian Biesinger

Think you are brave? Then challenge yourself to the Canopy walk at the Kakum National Park. Just a short distance from the monkey sanctuary you enter another side of Ghana. Covered by lush forests full of wildlife that are home to elephants, bongo antelope, primates, and beautiful African birds and butterflies.  You can enjoy the surrounding nature while staying at lodges outside of the park or camping out in the forest. If coming on a day trip, by far, the most popular attraction is the Canopy Walk. It’s a series of five to seven bridges made of rope suspended 30 meters or almost 100 feet above the forest’s ground where you can see nature from a new and exhilarating angle. You can come on your own or with a guided group and sign up for a tour of the area. To get to the Canopy Walk requires about an hour walk in both directions up a fairly easy pathway with some stairs. Christian and I immensely enjoyed it and at no point did we feel unsafe.

Kumasi

This goes without saying. If you are spending time in Ghana you must visit Kumasi, which at one point was the capital of the rich and powerful Ashanti Kingdom, also known as the golden kingdom. The people of the region often pay homage to their history and it’s still considered a cradle of culture in Ghana.

But Kumasi is more than just gold. It has Ghana’s largest open-air market the Kejetia Market. This market sells everything from sneakers to voodoo-consultations. Most of the people at the market are often friendly (although in a rush) and happy to see foreigners. Kumasi also has the National Cultural Center which is one of the best places to find and buy the Ashanti region’s famous glass beads and of course other local goods. When Christian and I went to visit we got everyone in our family glass beads. You can also visit the various museums in the area to learn about chefs, kings, and the customs of one of Ghana’s more famous kingdoms. The Manhyia Palace Museum is a great place to see ancient Ashanti artifacts and it is located near the Kejetia market. If you are lucky you can also witness the Akwasidae festival during your time in Kumasi. But this takes careful planning as it only happens once a month on Sunday Adae. Many visitors to Kumasi also swear by Lake Bosomtwe, a small fishing town 30 kilometers away from Kumasi. Christian and I did not go but we heard great things.

Bonus: Millet Festival

CC: Jasmine Nears-Biesinger

This is truly a festival not to be missed. If you are lucky and visiting Ghana around October then you may be able to see the Krobo’s Millet Festival. We got to see the Millet Festival in 2017 and even President Nana Akufo-Addo attended. You bet I knocked down an old lady to shake his hand. The Millet festival is a seven-day affair with the first day being the most exciting when all the chiefs and king come together with their entourage.

Everyone attends the festival dressed in traditional clothing and arrives by traditional means. Depending on the Chef and Chef Mother arrival usually means being escorted in a colorful carriage that is carried by select members of the royal family. Drums beat as the procession is announced as they enter the main area for the festival. Just sit tight for the first five hours before the talking starts and you will see some wonderful scenes.

There are a few things to keep in mind when attending the festival where local customs matter most. First, never cross your legs or ankles in from of the king or queen mothers, it is a sign of upmost disrespect. It’s also important to listen for clues by the announcer and sit when asked. Definitely request permission to take a picture of the royal family before shooting away. It will make your experience better. Also, many chiefs are polygamists. I had the distinct honor of being asked to marry a chef, however, I had to decline the royal offer since Christian seemed less than pleased. It’s also usually hot so make sure to bring water. While you can usually purchase water from vendors who are hanging out around the area it may not be the best to drink unless it is in a bottle. Seats are on a first come first serve basis so if you leave you seat to get water you may come back to only the grassy seat options.

So what Do YOU think?

Do you think I got them all or are there places you would add?

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