Ever since their independence from the Commonwealth in 1957, the small but proud African country has set its visions on the world as they make stronger alliances with countries in the continent, as well as bringing back those displaced by local tribe wars and slave trades.

Now, with their vision to make Ghana a leading tourist destination in the continent, the government had been working on several government projects and hosting world-renowned events that should bring out the beauty that is Africa, and the unity of everyone regardless of race and skin color.

The 2018 Year of Return

With the efforts of the Ghanaian government to welcome home those Ghanaians and Africans displaced in the slave trade and diaspora, President Akufo-Addo had announced in September that 2018 is the Year of Return. This had been celebrated through countrywide celebrations showcasing the beauty of Ghana, as a nation, and the culture it brings that should make anyone of Ghanaian descent feel home in this beautiful country.

The Full Circle Festival has been one of the highlights of the year. This had been treated with celebrity attendance, musical festivals, conferences, and even the offers to Africans around the world to go back home to Ghana through the Right of Return Initiative. Celebrities like Naomi Campbell, Boris Kodjoe, and Bozoma Saint John had been seen on the festival and on tours sponsored by the government for their visitors to know more about their origin, history, and culture.

The celebration had been anticipated as a yearly celebration and Ghanaians want to keep it that way. This would bring a lot of tourists in the country, as it was aimed by the government’s vision to bring Ghana as a world-class African country through their unity in diversity.

Ghana as a Tourist Destination

Aside from their world-renowned safaris that spread throughout the country, Ghana also boasts its historical monuments and cultural centers, dating back from their pre-colonial years, their tribal costumes and traditions, and their Victorian and Elizabethan structures that were continually visible until today.

As one of the countries that are near the equator, the country has warm and humid weathers, longer sunshine, and astonishing bodies of water like Lake Volta, and the Volta Dam. Being a country that lines along the Atlantic Ocean, the cool waters from the Antarctic can also bring a refreshing breeze along the shores of Accra, Ghana’s capital and major industrial city, and her neighboring cities and towns.

If you’re thinking that Ghana is entirely filled with desert, then visiting this magnificent country would truly surprise you. This country is also rich in flora and fauna that were originated from the forested hills and mountains on the rural side. Agriculture is not near thriving but not so abundant as well. They are one of the main producers of palm nuts, timber, and root crops like yams and beets, and were also suppliers of natural oil. This country also supplies cocoa beans and Ghanaian chocolate is something you should try when visiting this country.

Going to Ghana is not a problem, especially with up-and-coming sophisticated airports rising in the country. Kotoka International Airport in Accra is the main airbus terminal of the country.  Bus and taxis are available in the urban areas, though limited for travels in the rural and savannahs of the country. There are other airports in the country as well that could bring you closer to your destination around Ghana. Though this is not a huge country, most tourists prefer local flights over land trips because of the warm weather, especially during the summer seasons that would start later in the year.

If nature is not your adventure, Accra and Kumasi are the major urban cities in Ghana where you can experience shopping the Ghanaian way. From wide shopping malls to local market stalls, there are a lot of treasures worth buying in Ghana that should serve as a souvenir for your trip to this beautiful country.

Culture, Theatre, and Sports

Ghana is not just simply about culture and heritage. There are a lot of reasons why Ghana has been one of the countries in Africa with a rising economy. Ghana has been relying on its industry for its economic growth but culture, sports, and casino had been a major player in the country’s economy as well.

The Year of Return had been one of the most significant cultural event of the year that focused on the African heritage of those who have an African origin. This has been a worldwide celebration of a united global African community that embodies the essence of being African and his interaction to the rest of the world. Through sharing its cultures and traditions, especially with music and arts, Ghana has been leading the revolution of putting Africa into the world’s spotlight.

Other cultural traditions include Ghana’s Independence Day. This is significant for Ghana and Africa because this country had been one of the first to gain independence from colonial rule. Everyone remembers the heroic act of the first president of the nation, Kwame Nkrumah, in liberating Ghana from the English Commonwealth, and had inspired other African countries to do the same.

Theatre and film productions have also been significant cultural activity in Ghana. Local and international films were also shot in this beautiful country and were highly promoted not just on the continent but also in the whole world.

Sports had been one of the most celebrated and anticipated activities in any Ghanaian community. From local sports to nationwide tournaments, Ghana had been very generous to its athletes and had been gracious in bringing sports activities to the locals and tourists through hosting major sports events across the country. Basketball and football had been one of the most favorite sports in Ghana. These sporting events will surely bring everyone seated on their TV screens and fill all courts and domes to witness the spectacular play of Ghanaian sportsmen. Anyone who participates in such sports was considered celebrities in Ghana. Other sports they play and watch include boxing, tennis, cricket, and martial arts. Ghana has even hosted the Winter Olympics for the very first time in 2010.

Betting has also been common among Ghanaians and everyone visiting the country. Online betting bookmakers were also offering everyone with internet access the opportunity to bet on a winning team, especially with football. Top 10 football bookmakers in Ghana you can sign up for right now include Bet365, Unibet, BetFair, TLCBet, SportsPesa, Novibet, PaddyPower, ComeOn, Ladbrokes, and EnergyBet. A lot more bookmakers were also made available in Ghana’s internet services this year.

Choose Ghana as your next destination

With a lot of surprises that awaits you on your visit to Ghana, you would surely find yourself fascinated with this country and would love to stay here. For those with African descent who wished to live in this country, the government has been offering applications through their Right to Abode legislation in 2000 and the Joseph Project in 2007 for diasporic Ghanaians. Their Atlantic seashores, forested hills, and sub-Saharan sand dunes, Ghana is a country that would continually offer the beauty of Africa to those who wishes to experience it first-hand, and would continually accept every one of all race to visit and stay in their humbly beautiful home.