Get Off the Traditional Path in Ghana

Tourist spots

• Osu Castle in Accra: Also referred to as Fort Christiansborg, this was built by the Danish in the mid-1600s, changed hands with other European powers and ultimately ended in British hands. The castle was a center for slave trade and later became the seat of government. Since the seat of government has been moved elsewhere, the castle is now open to the public.

• Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park and Mausoleum: Showcases the life of Ghana’s first president and his independence struggle. 

• National Museum of Ghana: A must-visit spot to learn about the rich history of not just Ghana, but also about pre-colonial west Africa.

• W.E.B. DuBois Memorial Center for Pan-African culture in Accra: Where the American-born civil rights activist and Pan-Africanist spent the last few years of his life. The house is now a museum that houses DuBois' personal library and gives an in-depth look at Pan-African history and how it led to the independence of several Sub-Saharan African countries.

And if you like something a little more unique…

Visit a coffin maker in Accra who creates so-called “fantasy coffins” that are custom-built coffins shaped like everyday objects. 

• Did your late grandpa enjoy beer in his younger days? Get a beer bottle-shaped coffin! 

• Was your late aunt a banker who dealt with currency notes? Then perhaps a coffin shaped like a wad of $100 bills may fit the bill for her!

• While they look whimsical from the outside, these coffins serve a deeper purpose, which is to celebrate the individuality of the deceased.

Shopping

• To really experience the pulse of Ghana, do not miss a visit to the Makola Market where you can get everything from produce to meat and textiles! The vibrant color of the textiles is a sight to behold and will impress even people who are not into fabrics or haute couture! 

• If you want something more like a boutique experience, Accra offers numerous such stores, where you can get clothes in traditional patterns with vibrant hues. Some notable stores are:

  • Vlisco in the Accra Mall

  • The Lotte Accra 

  • Global Mamas

Beaches

• Labadi Beach offers water sports, live music and good food options.

Day trips

Cape Coast is the site of Cape Coast Castle and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This castle was one of the principal centers of the transatlantic slave trade and offered a view of the dungeons and the “Door of No Return,” through which slaves would board boats to the Americas, never to return again.

Kakum National Park near Cape Coast offers a canopy walk that involves traversing several suspended bridges 150 feet over the forest floor.

Aburi Garden offers a respite from the hectic capital of Accra. The garden offers a diverse plant collection including many endemic to this part of the world.

Restaurants

• Kōzo Restaurant: A restaurant that blends Asian food with traditional ingredients. For the best experience, sit outside — which offers views of the pond and the bar — and enjoy a gin cocktail, perfect for the tropical weather!

• Tam Tam: A restaurant that offers a wide array of African dishes, including the traditional Joloff rice. 

• Papillon: A Mediterranean restaurant located in the fancy Kempinski Hotel.

• Heritage Indian Restaurant: Offers authentic Indian food.

Music

• +233 Jazz Bar offers live music running the gamut from jazz to reggae and the local “highlife” music. The food there — especially the chicken kebabs — makes for a wonderful way overall to spend an evening.

• Republic Bar & Grill offers live Afrobeat music, with great cocktails to boot!