Ghana
Ghana – an illustrious nation on the Atlantic coast of Africa is a spectacular display of culture in its arts, cuisine, music, dance, and hospitality at the same time, a conflation of diverse language, geographical and historical backgrounds who effectively combine indigenous governance with partisan democratic dispensation. Located in West Africa between Côte d’ Ivoire and Togo, Ghana has sixteen administrative regions and 54 language groups who speak English officially.
This diversity in Ghana provides for an amazing experience of culture and cultural heritage resources within a beautiful natural environment. During the program, we live in the small Ewe village of Wusuta, along the Volta Lake in the Volta Region, and there, we interact and support the local community as we learn about ways of living in sub-Saharan African hinterland and get to know local inhabitants who become our friends. The pounding of fufu, a food staple, is the heartbeat of Ghana. The rhythmic pounding can be heard throughout the village as the women on various compounds prepare the evening meals. You will have the opportunity to pound fufu, then enjoy it with a delectable customary soup. We spend some time with the women and youthful indigenous music and dance groups in Wusuta who have activities that prepare young women and men to be successful in the workplace and in their homes. You will certainly enjoy and be refreshed by the complex rhythms of borborbor and other exotic music that evoke community spirit, social cohesion and harmony.
A difficult, but important part of our experience in Ghana, is the visit to Cape Coast and Elmina, where we learn in detail, about the slave trading operations of West Africa. In the dark dungeons, you can almost smell the rage of being stripped of dignity and stolen from the African bush by agents of competing merchants, and the fear of the unknown future, all to support the European expansion in the “new world.”
Lighter and more enjoyable excursions include observing wildlife at Mole Game Park and a stroll through Kakum National Park, a canopy walk in the forest. We end the experience along the West African coast, relaxing along the beach as we process all we have encountered during our Ghanaian visit.
Ghana: The Gold Coast
All Soulful Traveling itineraries are exclusive and customized for you and your group. The following are examples to get your creative juices flowing. As with every Soulful Traveling experience, we support local communities by participating in programs identified by the inhabitants of the area as we immerse ourselves in Ghanaian culture. Any of the locations we visit are ideal for exceptional friend or family gatherings, fitness, relaxation, stress relief, or personal rejuvenation experiences, or growth coaching/yoga retreats. We have certified instructors and facilitators to guide your personal growth or you can bring your own to lead your group. Give us a call and we’ll work together to craft your exceptional journey!
Ghana: An Exploration of the Gold Coast (11 days)
Days 1-2 – Our Ghanaian adventure begins in Accra, the bustling capital of Ghana, where we will visit Black Square, the beautiful gathering place and parade grounds built to celebrate Ghana’s independence of 1957 under the leadership of Ghanaian politician and revolutionary leader Kwame Nkrumah. You will experience fascination and awe as we visit one of Accra’s casket carpentry shops, caskets that are built to symbolize the individual’s life. We will receive an introduction to the beautiful, traditional art of batik fabric dyeing at one of the local shops in Accra. A customary Ghanaian meal at La Tante DC-10, a grounded passenger jet, rounds out the introductory day in Accra in unique fashion.
Days 3-6 – We journey up the eastern side of Ghana to the Volta Region and the small community of Wusuta where we will spend three days learning about and participate in local farming, kente cloth weaving, and batik dyeing activities, support a women’s cooperative, visit schools, and learn about the ways of life in this rural African community. Outings may include a boat ride on Lake Volta, the largest artificial reservoir in the world, and for those with energy and stamina, a climb up Mt. Afadjato, the highest peak in Ghana. We will participate in local music celebrations, including drumming and dancing.
Days 7-9 – As our travels continue, we will move to the central part of Ghana and visit Mole Game Park to see elephants, wart hogs, hippos, buffalo, and lessor known kob, defassa waterbuck, roan, hartebeest, oribi, the bushbuck, and duiker. A trip to the Ghanaian coast completes our journey with a visit to Elmina Castle, originally a trading place for gold and other African goods, and later, one of the primary slave trading locations in West Africa. Kakum National Park holds excitement as we explore the jungles of Ghana with a birds-eye view with butterflies, African parrots, and hornbills, through a series of forest canopy suspension bridges. If we are quiet and have a bit of luck, we might see endangered species such as the forest elephant, bongo antelope and Diana monkeys.
Days 10-11 – Along the coast, we will visit Elmina Castle, a primary Portuguese trading port and eventually, the exit point for thousands of captured West Africans who entered into the brutal slave markets. Time for reflection and contemplation will complete our program as we relax on the coast for our final night of our Ghanaian experience, enjoying the waters of West Africa, the beach sands, and traditional and international cuisine before our journey back home.
Exploring Village Life in the Volta Region (6 days)
Days 1-2 – Our Ghanaian adventure begins in Accra, the bustling capital of Ghana, where we will visit Black Square, the beautiful gathering place and parade grounds built to celebrate Ghana’s independence of 1957 under the leadership of Ghanaian politician and revolutionary leader Kwame Nkrumah. You will experience fascination and awe as we visit one of Accra’s casket carpentry shops, caskets that are built to symbolize the individual’s life. We will receive an introduction to the beautiful, traditional art of batik fabric dyeing at one of the local shops in Accra. A customary Ghanaian meal at La Tante DC-10, a grounded passenger jet, rounds out the introductory day in Accra in unique fashion.
Days 3-5 – We journey up the eastern side of Ghana to the Volta Region and the small community of Wusuta where we will spend three days learning about and participate in local farming, kente cloth weaving, and batik dyeing activities, support a women’s cooperative, visit schools, and learn about the ways of life in this rural African community. Outings may include a boat ride on Lake Volta, the largest artificial reservoir in the world, and for those with energy and stamina, a climb up Mt. Afadjato, the highest peak in Ghana. We will participate in local music celebrations, including drumming and dancing.
Day 6 – Our last day finds us on our journey back to Accra as we bid farewell to Africa
The Ghanaian African Bush and a Glimpse of the Slave Trading Enterprise (7 Days)
Days 1-2 – Our Ghanaian adventure begins in Accra, the bustling capital of Ghana, where we will visit Black Square, the beautiful gathering place and parade grounds built to celebrate Ghana’s independence of 1957 under the leadership of Ghanaian politician and revolutionary leader Kwame Nkrumah. You will experience fascination and awe as we visit one of Accra’s casket carpentry shops, caskets that are built to symbolize the individual’s life. We will receive an introduction to the beautiful, traditional art of batik fabric dyeing at one of the local shops in Accra. A customary Ghanaian meal at La Tante DC-10, a grounded passenger jet, rounds out the introductory day in Accra in unique fashion.
Days 3-5 – As our travels continue, we will move to the central part of Ghana and visit Mole Game Park to see elephants, wart hogs, hippos, buffalo, and lessor known kob, defassa waterbuck, roan, hartebeest, oribi, the bushbuck, and duiker. A trip to the Ghanaian coast completes our journey with a visit to Elmina Castle, originally a trading place for gold and other African goods, and later, one of the primary slave trading locations in West Africa. Kakum National Park holds excitement as we explore the jungles of Ghana with a birds-eye view with butterflies, African parrots, and hornbills, through a series of forest canopy suspension bridges. If we are quiet and have a bit of luck, we might see endangered species such as the forest elephant, bongo antelope and Diana monkeys.
Days 6-7 – Along the coast, we will visit Elmina Castle, a primary Portuguese trading port and eventually, the exit point for thousands of captured West Africans who entered into the brutal slave markets. Time for reflection and contemplation will complete our program as we relax on the coast for our final night of our Ghanaian experience, enjoying the waters of West Africa, the beach sands, and traditional and international cuisine before our journey back home.
