Where to have fun

Though, several hotels and guesthouses have their own ways of entertaining travelers, there is a couple of places in town which can keep you amused.

The National Theater located near the Efua Sutherland at the Ministries area.Programmes to be held there is usually advertised in the newspapers and on banners and posters.

The National Theatre of Ghana

The Silver Bird Cinema at Accra is where movie lovers flock to for both local and internationally produced movies yet to reach the public domain.

Sports are another area that really entertains us. Football tops the list. It is possible for the traveler to get any stadium to watch local teams pit their strength. Clashes between ace-rivals Kumasi Asante Kotoko and Accra Hearts Oak, draws tens of thousands to the Accra and Kumasi Sports Stadia.

Another place to be at is TV 3-a private television station- on Saturday evenings. Invited local and international artistes perform there. Their perennial reality show (Ghana’s most beautiful) entertains and educates viewers about Ghana’s rich history and culture.

Have you ever danced to the beating of an African drum with its accompanying rhythms? If you haven’t, then, you are missing out on something. Catch one of those entertaining fevers when you are at a festival. For instance, you can be at The colorful Akwasidae festival-celebrated every six weeks.

Restaurants in Accra: where to eat delicious meals

Good meals are certainly one of the things you cannot do without if you want your stay in Accra Ghana to be enjoyable. However, due to limited information online, many travelers to Ghana do not know the best places to hang out for a great meal. That’s why this piece has been written with you in mind.

Banku with Tilapia(left) and Boiled Beans with fried plantain(right)-both local meals

The Afrikiko Gardens near the French Embassy and adjacent to TV 3 is calm place to relax and be served with great food. It is one of the best places to eat out in Accra.

Another restaurant that serves the expat community in Ghana and located in Accra is Osteria Restaurant at Osu in Accra. You can get continentals meals there.

Located within the plush Airport area is the French Restaurant Laumiere. If you want to get something French or meals from Western Europe and The Americas, then please see the chefs there and you won’t feel like leaving your seat.

Other places to eat from include the Chinese Restaurant, Imperial Peking at the Airport Area.
Frankie’s at Osu is also another great place to hang out with friends.

Others are The Turkish Café Restaurant at East Legon here in Accra.It is along the main road to the Madina Area and adjacent to the Zenith Bank.

Where to Shop in Accra(Ghana)

Most visitors on a visit to Ghana do like to know where they can shop for artifacts and other stuffs. It is for this reason that I have been compelled to help you find where to go shopping for things that will enhance your stay.
If you want to buy some local vegetables and fruits, then, The Makola Market located in  the ministries is the place to be.Items sold  there are cheap as compared to supermarkets and hyper-markets  in town.

The Makola Shopping area in Accra 

             
The Arts Center at Osu is a hot shopping spot where you can get locally made artifacts. Wooden sculptures in different shapes and sizes are available on sale. So is the evergreen kente cloth.

Located at East Legon near the British International School is the A& C Shopping Mall.Infact, you will get everything used in a home right from there. The traditional markets are places to get local foodstuffs and the cost of goods there are usually cheaper than in supermarkets.

 The recently opened Accra Mall sited near the Tetteh Quarshie Interchange is another interesting shopping centre and it attracts people from Ghana and beyond.

Want to know more about Ghana please see this link ghana travel advice

Ghana Foods and Drinks-Some delectable meals for your palate

Every Ghanaian has his own favourite meal. Though continental meals are served in restaurants, Ghanaians enjoy their local dishes. Now, let’s look at favorite foods of the various ethnic groups in Ghana and how some are prepared.

Kenkey and fried fish in the South

In the South (Accra and its environs) kenkey is the chief food.Kenkey is prepared from corn flour. The flour is mixed with water and stirred until the mixture gets even. Then they are made into balls and covered with corn leaves and put into a pot half-filled with water to boil until it is well cooked. It is served with shito (grounded black pepper) and fried fish. Some people top it up with pineapple juice (drink). Here, we call it sweet after meals. Kpoikpoi   is another food but it is often eaten during the Homowo festival (from June to August)

Mouthwatering Fufu with soup is popular among the Akans

Fufu is common among the Akan speaking areas(Kumasi,Koforidua,Sunyani) of Ghana. Peeled cassava is boiled and pounded in a mortar to form a paste and served with aponkye nkrakra ( goat meat soup), light soup, groundnut soup or palm nut soup. Other foods popular among the Akans include boiled yam with Kontomire (green spinach leaves) stew. In ancient times, a locally brewed Ghanaian drink called pito(from the palm tree) was served after one had  eaten fufu or ampesi(boiled yam). If you are on a tour to Ghana, why not give these Ghanaians foods a try-especially the delicious eto(mashed plantain and  boiled egg).

Tuo Zaafi is eaten by people of the North

Up north, tuo zaafi is eaten by t he natives of Tamale, Bolgatanga and Wa.Tuo Zaafi is made from corn flour and served with green soup.

Voltarians prefer Akpele

In the Volta region, akpele and okra soup with keta school boys (dried fingerlings) is the favorite food meal.Akpele is prepared from corn flour. To do this, you put water on fire to boil.Then pour the corn flour into the boiling water and stir for a while. After being paddled for sometime, it gets well cooked and it is served with okra soup.Banku is another delicious staple. Its preparation is similar to Akpele,but unlike Akpele,corn flour paste  is mixed with cassava flour and paddled until it forms a sticky paste. It tastes best with okra soup.

Fanti  Dokono is commonly eaten in the Central Region

In the Central and Western regions, kenkey is served. The kenkey prepared here is a bit different from the Ga kenkey mentioned at the outset of this article. Here plantain leaves are used to cover the corn paste instead of corn leaves.Akyeke is another Ghanaian delicacy that’s well patronized in this part of Ghana.Akyeke is made from cassava and eaten with fried fish. You could finish it with water-melon juice or coconut juice(drink)

Today, these Ghanaian foods is not confined to their origins; but eaten by almost every Ghanaian.For example, it is common to find someone from the Akan speaking community indulging in banku  or  Tuo Zaafi.An  ewe(someone from the Volta Region) too may decide to eat fufu. All this has been made possible because of inter-marriage.

These days, Ghanaians enjoy a wide variety of meals. This is shown by the numerous Chinese and European restaurants dotted across the country. So when you are on vacation, let your palette taste these delicious Ghanaian meals and drinks. You would be glad you did!

Hope you see these Ghana travel tips and planning checklist

Want to stay at this ‘hotel’ so you savor some of these delicious Ghanaian foods?

Then stay with this host family in Ghana and you will enjoy them.Tht’s not all, you will also learn how Ghanaians live and you will know much about our traditions and culture. What’s more,you will be taken to  various tourist sites you never knew existed…plus much much more.But that can happen if you write to jeandan40@gmail.com  to express your desire to join us or use the comment box to let us know you are coming(Do include your number and name so we can get in touch).Please act fast because we receive lots of visitors and the rooms be occupied soon.

Hotels(Accomodation) in Ghana-Tips on choosing a hotel that fits your budget and lifestyle

Only one traveler in history said he had no where to lay his head. In spite of his homelessness, this great man performed all his duties whilst on earth remarkably and many considered him superhuman. Whether rich or poor, everyman needs a roof over his head and the traveler on holiday to Ghana too needs a hotel that will make him or her secured.

How much are you willing to pay?

Before you come to Ghana, you have to first consider where you want to lodge. To do this, you need to choose a hotel or accommodation that fits your budget. How much you are willing to pay will determine what you get. Though I cannot give prices per night because almost every hotel has their own price tag. But like all other accommodations you have ever lodged in, most hotel are rated in this -high price,mid price, and low price. And each of these comes with its own facilities.

Websites like

stay.com, virtualtourist.com

priceline.com, hotels.com

kayak.com, sidestep.com

Travelocity.com, orbitz.com and Expedia.com give a fair idea of the prices hotels in Ghana charge per night.

Have you thought about the facilities?

Secondly, you should also consider the facilities at any accommodation you choose in Ghana. ‘How do you know which place has the amenities I am looking for’, you ask. The best way to do this is to look at their testimonials .Trolling hotel review sites might also be helpful but don’t take every comment there as the gospel. Some have written by the hotel staff posing as travelers. Others have had a problem with a staff or two there or they thought their services were not up to match and that’s the place to vent their anger. If you know a friend or member of a family who has ever been in Ghana, those people will help you choose a befitting place of rest. Facilities you might want to look at an air-condition, swimming pools, restaurant, spas, internet,etc

Most importantly, you need to find out if  they offer a Travel and Tour services and there’s a reliable source of power in case they lights go out. An Airport pick up and departure arrangement services should be your top priority.

Is the hotel near tourist location?

Depending on the purpose of your stay, you may also want to see consider the proximity of the hotel. For example, if you are a business traveler, you should choose hotels which are not too far away from where town. If you are just on vacation, then the places have to be near important tourist sites. Some travelers I know chose to live at areas that were far from their places of importance because they felt the climate was similar to their native countries or they felt the atmosphere was very serene or peaceful.

Be mindful of your personal security

Finally, your safety should be your topmost concern in any place (hotel) you are accommodated in Ghana. Though security guards are at most places, you need to be vigilant. Some areas are not conducive for your stay and you should know right before you decide to reserve a place.How?For instance areas like Nima,Mamobi, central Accra have lots of miscreants.Whenever you choose to dwell you are not exempted and common sense should dictate to you what to do and what not to do.

Looking for place you can stay without compromising your comfort and safety?

Then here’s a chance for you to live with a caring Ghanaian family who have hosted travelers from all over the world. When you join us, you are not only ushered into an atmosphere of friendliness but you also have the opportunity to savor how Ghanaians live. What’s more, you will discover the rich culture of Ghana and be taken round to visit breathtaking tourist sites which many travelers are not aware of. Get me right here. I am not saying hotels, chalets; resorts are not suitable for you. But what I want you to get  is that living in a hotel room is very boring(you have no one to talk to except the air) compared to living with a host family where everyone smiles . To ensure your stay becomes memorable, please shoot us an email at jeandan40@gmail.com to get on board or let’s know it in the comment box below or ask any question which bothers you and we will get back to you in less than 24 hours. If you delay the rooms will fill up.(ADD TESTIMONIALS  AND PICTURES)

On A Trip To Ghana?Safety tips for the savvy traveller

Though Ghana is one of the most peaceful countries on the planet, it makes sense to take care of your body and luggage since the 9/11 attacks has shown us all that we shouldn’t take our personal security for granted. When you are on a trip to Ghana, you should observe the following the following personal tips

Security at The Airport

If you are not expecting anyone to pick you up then you should pick up a taxi at the Airport and ask the taxi driver to take you to your hotel. (Make sure you ask for airport registered taxi cabs)

Know where you are staying

No matter where you live you should seek information about the community. Believe me or not, some communities are not safe to live in and you need to know where you are so you can watch out for any threats of attack. (Having lived in Ghana for close to 50 years, I can assure you that most places are safe at even nighttime but let the wise heed this old maxim ''to be forewarned is to be for armed’’

Ask for directions if you are lost

When you are not so sure of where you are going, please ask for directions.Again,you should say a big no if the taxi driver tells you he wants others (people standing by the street) to join wherever you are going. Just negotiate with him over the price and ask him to get right there.

 Don’t stroll along very lonely beaches

Not all beaches are conducive for swimming. And so you shouldn’t go to beaches like the one at OSU and other undeveloped ones: such areas are very lonely, bushy and filled with miscreants. Make sure your backpack is with you at all times and never expose your money-especially foreign currency in public. Get the right amount of money you need before you leave for any place.

Ignore anyone who accosts you in town asking for help in cash or kind when you are on a trip to Ghana. Don’t party deep into the night. It is wrong to visit the brothels since a trap might be set for you-HIV AIDS or whatever

Never divulge your credit card details

The medium of exchange is in cedis and pesewas.Cash is used at all points but you know some hotels and other facilities may ask that you use your credit card or travelers cheque.PLEASE NEVER EVER GIVE ANYONE YOUR PERSONAL DETAILS BECAUSE MANY PEOPLE HAVE FALLEN PREY TO FRAUD AND HAVE LOST THEIR HARD-EARNED CASH EVEN AT SOME PRESTIGIOUS HOTELS. Please use cash at all times.

Beware of  Identity theft                                  

Please sign out and close all browsers when you have finished browsing even in your hotel room and in Internet Cafes. It is best to come along with a laptop. There is wireless connection in some hotels. 

If not, you can get a modem for less than $40.You can come along with a universal modem. Some travelers have got into hot waters as a result of negligence. 

Never fall prey to identity thieves.

So any time you are on a trip to Ghana, do observe these personal safety tips and you will return to your homeland with sweet memorable memories.

A HOME AWAY FROM HOME

Traveling to Ghana? And do you want to enjoy the convenience of staying with a host family? When you stay with us, you will get to more about how you can enjoy a happy stay without being ripped off. That’s not all, you will learn more about our country’s rich history and culture and be accompanied to see wonderful tourists site around the country. Don’t lodge in a lonely hotel room when you can stay with us and learn more about Ghana. Please call 233242378027 or write to  jeandan40@gmail.com  with your cell phone or home number or leave  your details in the comment box below so we can talk. Hope to hear from you and God bless.