Akwaaba – our traditional word of welcome
Welcome to Ghana ... The best in Africa with a population of about 20 million
people. Situated right in the heart of West Africa, Ghana extends from the Gulf
of Guinea to the Sahel lands in the far north.
Land of smiles
Few countries in Africa have an appeal that can compare with the attractions
of Ghana. Ghana dazzles you with its historic past and charms you with its natural
beauty. Join in our spectacular festivals, and discover the friendliness of
our people. Revel in our ‘highlife’ music and dance, and excite
your taste buds with our delicious Ghanaian food. Enjoy our beaches and our
national parks, our bustling village markets and our vibrant towns and cities.
We are known for our smiles and our hospitality. In a land of many people with
different languages and tribes, we are all drawn together, proud to be Ghanaians.
All our people, from whichever tribe, honour their chiefs and royal families,
and cherish their traditional rites and celebrations. All this makes Ghana a
special Africa, a different Africa.
A rich blend of old and new
Our history stretches back almost 2000 years to the riches of the ancient Ghana
Empire, where trade in gold, ivory, salt and kola nuts created one of the most
opulent nations in Africa, and attracted kinsmen from all over the continent.
Europeans, drawn by the abundance of our land, came to trade and left behind
their legacy including 32 forts and castles (the most in any sub-Saharan African
country) along our shoreline.
Our capital city of Accra is a vibrant modern city of some 3 million people.
The commercial and political heart of Ghana, Accra is a modern gateway to one
of Africa’s ancient lands. A rich blend of old and new, Accra offers a
wide choice of hotels with state-of-the-art conference facilities, restaurants
that reflect the many cultures of Ghana, and a pulsating nightlife.
Links across the oceans
A darker era saw many of our people, and those of other African lands, leave
our shores for the plantations of America and the Caribbean, creating a large
diaspora. Today, citizens of many states around the world still acknowledge
and treasure their family links with Ghana, returning to explore those links
and to experience the soul of their motherland.
Today, come home to Ghana, the gateway to the African heritage and one of the
most peaceful and friendly countries.
Great sights and scenes
Ghana is the land of festivals. Our celebrations, with great durbars of chiefs
in gold regalia, full of dancing and drumming, reverberate with images of our
cultural traditions, so important in the preservation of our culture.
Surprised? Now you are beginning to experience the feel of Ghana. One delightful
surprise after another! Akwaaba…
