GHANA

Location - West Africa; Capital - Accra; Population - 24 million; Currency - Cedi MORE GHANA

A moped ride to the Togo/Ghana border brought me to the town of Wli near Hohoe, in December 2005.

The Ghanaian Cedi

Agumatsa Falls, on the outskirts of Wli, are about 40 metres high

Agumatsa Falls, also known as Wli Falls

Agumatsa Falls, a 30 minute walk from Wli

The walk to Agumatsa Falls from Wli is pretty straightforward

The backstreets of Hohoe, betwen Lake Volta and Togo

There's good views from the bridge over the Volta river at Akosombo

Akosombo stretches from the Volta river to the southern tip of Lake Volta

Aylo's Bay Leisure Spot is perfectly situated on the banks of the Volta river in Akosombo

Aylo's Bay has a floating dining area, Akosombo

The Volta river at Akosombo

The Dodi Princess takes passengers on day trips from Akosombo to the Dodi Islands on Lake Volta

Lake Volta is a huge artificial lake, measuring 400kms in length - Akosombo

The Dodi Princess cruises the calm waters of Lake Volta

A very touristy welcome greets new arrivals to Dodi Island

Lovely views of Lake Volta from Dodi Island

Independence Arch in central Accra

The memorial to the Unknown Soldier stands in Independence Square, with the Independence Arch behind, Accra

The quiet backstreets of Kokomlemle, Accra

Perched above the chaotic looking Kejetia lorry station, with Kejetia market in the distance, Kumasi

A calabash tree in the grounds of the National Cultural Centre in Kumasi

Adverts painted on the walls in Kumasi

The handle of the Okomfo Anokye Sword in Kumasi.
Kumasi is the royal capital of the Ashanti kingdom.
The sacred Golden Stool (ie. the Ashanti royal throne) was commanded down from the sky by Okomfo Anokye.
The sword is said to lie where the Golden Stool came to rest

More info on the Ashanti kingdom here

More info on the Golden Stool here

Fishing nets dry near the Lake Paradise Resort on the shores of Lake Bosumtwi

Lake Bosumtwi is a crater lake thought to have been formed by a meteorite (the crater that is, not the lake)

Lake Bosumtwi is sacred to the Ashanti people

Dug out canoes on Lake Bosumtwi are said to anger the lake spirit, so wooden planks, called padua, are used instead

A boy fishes on Lake Bosumtwi, sitting on his padua

The beautiful grounds of Ankobra Beach Resort, close to Axim

The Atlantic Ocean through palm trees at Ankobra Beach Resort, Axim

Ankobra Beach Resort website

The sun sets on the Gulf of Guinea, Ankobra Beach Resort, Axim

Ankobra Beach Resort, a few kilometres outside Axim

Palms sway below a full moon at Ankobra Beach Resort, Axim

A bird's eye view of Cape Coast

The 17th century Cape Coast Castle was originally used as a fort but then became a centre for the shipment of slaves by the British - Cape Coast

Cape Coast Castle overlooks the Atlantic Ocean - Cape Coast

Looking beyond Cape Coast Castle to the town of Cape Coast itself

Sailing past Cape Coast Castle, Cape Coast

Slave dungeons lie either side of the Door of No Return, Cape Coast Castle

Remembrance offerings in one of Cape Coast Castle's dungeons

The day's catch brings a hive of activity to Cape Coast

An alternative London Bridge - Cape Coast

There's great views of the town from Cape Coast Castle - looking west towards Fosu Lagoon, Cape Coast

The canopy walk in Kakum National Park

Kakum National Park

The rainforest that makes Kakum National Park

St George's Castle in Elmina was a fort used by the Dutch in the slave trade

The central building was a Portuguese church, converted by the Dutch to a slave auction hall - St George's Castle, Elmina

A skull marks the entrance to one of St George's Castle's cells, Elmina

St George's Castle in Elmina

St George's Castle, Elmina

St George's Castle as seen from Fort St Jago, Elmina

The fishing harbour, from St George's Castle in Elmina

Climb to the top of Fort St Jago for magnificent views of Elmina, including the Castle and fishing harbour

Zooming in on Elmina's fishing harbour

Fort St Jago also affords superb views of the Atlantic - Elmina

The posuban shrine of Asafo Company Five in Elmina.

Asafo companies and posuban shrines explained here

The grounds of Big Milly's Backyard in Kokrobite

Kokrobite's beach, only 30kms from Accra

Live music and dance takes place on a Saturday night outside Big Milly's in Kokrobite, which attracts much of the village

Website and content Copyright © 2008-2012 Mark Wilkinson. All rights reserved.

LINKS

www.touringghana.com - Ghana tourist board

www.ghanaweb.com - lots of info on Ghana, including tourism

www.encounterelmina.com

I am not responsible for the content of external websites.