The
above cover is from Africa Travel
Magazine's edition for the Africa
Travel Association 31st World Congress,
which was held in Accra. Following that
exciting event our editors made a
circle tour of Ghana's most popular
attractions, including historic Kumasi,
the furniture capital of West Africa.
We are very anxious to return.
Historical
Ghana
Formerly the Gold
Coast, Ghana is a young republic which
became independent from Britain on
March 6. 1957, the first black African
colony to achieve its independence.
Ghana occupies the pinnacle spot in
Pan-African history having hit the
torch for African Emancipation and
became home for famous Pan-Africanist
such as W.E. B Du Bois and George Pad
more. Dr. Kwame Nkrumah whose mausoleum
adds to Accra's landscape was Ghana's
first President.
European power
struggle between the 15th and 19th
centuries started with the Portuguese
who built Elmina Castle in 1482. They
were followed by the Dutch, Swedes,
Danes, Prussians and the British
looking for fortunes in gold and ivory.
This intense commercial rivalry ended
with the growth of the tragic trade in
silvery - all 42 European castles and
fortifications were used as dungeons
for the millions most of whom lost
their lives or whose descendants
compose the African diaspora
today.
42 forts and
castles including Elmina and Cape Coast
Castles are recognized by UNESCO as the
World No. I Heritage
Monuments.
Sites of wars
between the British and indigenous
population especially the Ashanti
peoples. Ancient artistry in fabrics
with the colorful and popular Ashanti
Bonwire Kente Cloth now adopted as a
focus of identity by many people of
African descent the world over. An
antique collector's haven for ancient
terra-cotta work. Traditional gold
jewelry, Krobo beads, northern leather
and straw product, woodcarving of
Ahwiaa-Ashanti.
The practice of
ancient herbal and alternative medicine
side by side with orthodox medical
practice throughout the country;
herbariums preserve the ancient medical
heritage., colorful traditional
festivals full of pomp and pageantry
with Chiefs and Queen Mothers riding on
lushly gilded palanquins. Colorful
traditional open markets and lorry
parks provide the sounds and sights of
the African bazaar.
GHANA TOURIST
BOARD
The Ghana Tourist
Board was set up by Legislative
Instrument (NRC Degree) 224 in 1973. It
is the sole government agency set up to
implement government's tourism
policies. It is purely a Research,
Marketing and regulatory body under the
Ministry of Tourism and Diaspora
Relations. Contact gtb@africaonline.com.
Website:
http://www.touringghana.com/gtb.asp
