TRAVEL 7 Things You Must Do in Accra,Ghana 80
TAKE A TOUR AROUND THE CITY Visit the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum <strong>and</strong> memorial park located in downtown Accra, the capital of Ghana. Dedicated to Ghanaian President Kwame Nkrumah, the memorial complex was dedicated in 1992 <strong>and</strong> sits on the site of the former British colonial polo grounds in Accra. Designed by Don Arthur, the Mausoleum houses the bodies of Kwame Nkrumah <strong>and</strong> his wife Fathia Nkrumah. The building represents an upsidedown sword, the Akan culture symbol of peace <strong>and</strong> a black star to symbolise unity. The Independence Arch in Accra, Ghana, is part of the Independence Square which contains monuments to Ghana’s independence struggle, including the Independence Arch, Black Star Gate, <strong>and</strong> the Liberation Day Monument. Independence Square is a must-see attraction as it is one of the largest city squares in the world. Heavily guarded by several soldiers, you’re prohibited from taking pictures up close of the arch without permission. However, you are free to take pictures in the general area around the arch. VISIT CAPE COAST AND ELMINA CASTLE Once one of the world’s most important slave-holding sites, neighbouring castles Cape Coast <strong>and</strong> Elmina provide sobering insight into the workings of the African Slave trade. Go on a local guided tour, where you will visit the dark, damp dungeons which housed slaves that waited for two to 12 weeks to be shipped off in the East-Atlantic Slave Trade. Although these castles represent a horrific past, they st<strong>and</strong> as a reminder of an unforgettable history that must never be repeated. I went to Afrochella in Accra, the capital of the West African country Ghana. Afrochella is a yearly one-day festival, celebrating Africa’s diverse culture. The festival features cuisine, contemporary art, music <strong>and</strong> creative entrepreneurs from all over Africa. During this amazing celebration, I was able to deeply connect with the Ghanaian people, culture, music, traditions <strong>and</strong> food. Throughout my week-long stay, I learned the ins <strong>and</strong> outs of the city <strong>and</strong> found the best things to do as a tourist in Accra, Ghana. Here is my list of things you must do in Accra, Ghana: VISIT MAKOLA MARKET Makola Market is Accra’s largest open-air market. Upon arriving at the market, you will immediately be taken over by the sights <strong>and</strong> sounds of the hustle <strong>and</strong> bustle of locals buying foods, textiles <strong>and</strong> goods. Overwhelming at first, Makola market is the best place to really take in the ambience of a West African market. There is a wide array of products sold in the market <strong>and</strong> the surrounding streets like jewellery made from locally h<strong>and</strong>crafted beads <strong>and</strong> Ghanaian kente cloth. Dominated by women traders, the market is your one-stop-shop for fresh produce, manufactured <strong>and</strong> imported food, clothing, shoes, tools, pots <strong>and</strong> pans <strong>and</strong> more. As you enter the market, it is best to have an idea of what you want to purchase <strong>and</strong> the price range you’re willing to pay for those items, haggling with the local merchants is your best bet to get unbeatable prices! TRY JOLLOF RICE AND RED RED STEW There’s no way you can go to Ghana, let alone West Africa <strong>and</strong> not try Jollof rice! Jollof rice is one of West Africa’s most popular dishes. Originally from Senegal region, this staple food is a one-pot rice dish. Jollof rice 81