There are many things to explore and participate in during your stay in Accra. These include, but are not limited to;
- Festivals and Tribes:
Accra throughout the year is known for its vibrant and joyous festivities. The people of the city and citizens throughout the country take pride in celebrations and displays of culture. With this being said, some of these festivals include those of the many different tribes in the country. Much similar to how there’s a Filipino festival, there are many sub-groups who celebrate their tribes and their festivities in Ghana. Everyone is Ghanaian, but due to this tribal divide, there are a lot of cultural differences even though we come together as a whole. Almost comparable to Christianity and its many sub-divisions of Methodic, Catholic, etc. Some of the tribes include the Ga, from which I am part of, the Akan, Fante, Ewe, Ga-Adangbe, Guam, etc. The Ga’s for example, have the Homowo festival, which is a harvest festival that takes place from late to early May signifying the start of the rainy season. During this time period much like any other festival, it is normal to see displays of cultural practices like parades throughout the city, end-of-festival dances, gatherings by the kings and queen mothers of constituencies, etc.
There are also more festivals that appeal to different audiences throughout the year. One of my favorites is the Afronation music festival which has been taking place in Ghana every December since 2019. This brings in tourists, and curates large amounts of profits for the city. Known for its incredible lineup of artists all over the African continent, with notable appearances and performances from major American and European artists, Afronation is a music festival that takes place globally. Making its first appearance in Ghana, 2019, this particular festival in addition to many others garnered the attention of international travelers. Other countries that have witnessed the amalgamation of people all over the world at this festival are Portugal and the USA.
Another well known festival is the National Festival of Arts and Culture, known as NAFAC. This is another notable festival to take into consideration, especially for the purpose of catering to foreign audiences is the National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFAC). NAFAC is a significant cultural event that showcases the country’s diverse artistic expressions, traditional practices, and creative industries. It is a biennial festival organized by the National Commission on Culture (NCC) and brings together artists, performers, craftsmen, and cultural enthusiasts from various regions of Ghana. NAFAC plays a crucial role in the context of globalization by promoting Ghanaian culture both domestically and internationally.
- Museums, National Parks, and sites.
There are many things beautiful about the city of Accra. Specifically tailored to the interests of people, there are sites available to cater to this interest. One of my favorites is the Safari Valley Resort, which doubles as a resort and a national park altogether in one. People are allowed their own personal cabins which ranges at a very suitable price from $400 a night, considering the luxurious amenities it comes with. Other national parks to consider are the Kakum and Mole national parks. There are many locations to see and appreciate the natural beauty and life in the city of Accra.
In addition to natural beauty, there are also museums that house the works of creatives throughout the country. Some of these museums include the Nubuke Foundation, Kempinski gallery, etc. These offer creatives a space to be themselves freely, and participate in moments and exhibitions where they can express themselves and their interests. In addition to these museums that display the talents ofAfrican creatives, there are also cultural, heritage, and historic sites like the Cape Coast Slave Castle. This one in particular is visited by a lot of African diaspora when they travel to the city in quest of discovering themselves and their heritage. So as much as it can be entertaining, it is educational as well.
- Restaurants
One of my favorite activities to indulge myself into while visiting Ghana is appreciating the many flavorful offerings that come with visiting. Restaurants throughout the country make sure to cater to foreign tastes and well as local palates. A few of my favorite restaurants include Vine Lounge, Buka, and Pomona. These are my top favorites because you can be sure to enjoy worldwide as well as local dishes ranging from each of the ones listed. Some foods to try include the early morning bofrot with koko porridge, an afternoon meal of Banku and shito with tilapia, or Red Red (otherwise known as plantain and beans), and for an evening meal some streetside waakye (a meal of beans, rice, pepper, eggs, spaghetti, and assorted meats). Ghana is well known for its delicacies, and I invite and implore you to participate!