Ghana Tours & Vacations

Ghana is home to over 70 ethnic groups, the largest being the Akan (who make up about 45 per cent of the population), Ewe, Mole-Dagbane, Guan, Ga-Adangbe and Gurma. While English is the official language and lingua franca, two types of Pidgin English are spoken, along with over 80 other indigenous languages, reflecting the country’s rich cultural diversity. 

Most Ghanaians identify as Christians or Muslims, with a smaller percentage practicing indigenous religions. Regardless of faith, Ghanaian society is deeply rooted in traditional values, including family, community and respect for elders.  

Families often live in intergenerational households, and it’s common for older people to be called ‘aunty’ or ‘uncle.’ An individual’s behavior reflects on their wider family, so there’s also a strong emphasis on being respectful and dignified to save face. 

Festivals, music and dance are all central to Ghanaian culture. Traditional music featuring drums, xylophones, flutes and call-and-response style singing resonates across the country, as does the world-renowned highlife genre which was born in Ghana.  

The vibrancy of Ghanaian culture is further expressed through Kente cloth which is worn on special occasions. Kente cloth originated in the Ashanti Empire and is made from handwoven silk and cotton fabric with bright colors and patterns with distinct meanings.

Ghana is located on the Gulf of Guinea in West Africa. It’s bordered by Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east and Cote d'Ivoire to the west. Situated just a few degrees north of the equator, it enjoys a year-round tropical climate with a distinct wet and dry season.

The landscape of central Ghana consists of low-lying plains and forest-studded plateaus, while the coast features palm-studded beaches and lagoons, which are important for salt harvesting and fishing.

While not a go-to safari destination compared to its East African neighbors, Ghana’s national parks – including Mole and Kakum – are home to abundant wildlife including elephants, lions, hippos and baboons. The country also has a rich supply of gold and other minerals thanks to its location atop a two-billion-year-old craton (a stable section of the Earth’s crust). 

More than 60 per cent of Ghana is dominated by a river basin that forms part of the mighty Volta River system which spans six countries in West Africa. The area is not only one of astounding natural beauty (picture: sprawling savannas, fertile farmlands, mangrove forests and waterfalls), but it’s also critical for the country’s water and food supply.

Lake Volta, created with the construction of the Akosombo Dam over its namesake river, also generates hydroelectricity for Ghana and its neighboring countries. It’s the world’s largest manmade lake covering 3283 sq miles – that’s just under the size of Puerto Rico.

Early history

Before being colonized by the British in the 19th century, Ghana was ruled by powerful kingdoms – one of the most prominent being the Ashanti Kingdom in the 1700s. The Ashanti Kingdom was known for its strong economy, military prowess and wealth from gold and other minerals. During this period, Ghana was also a major part of the transatlantic slave trade, and the Ashanti Kingdom eventually fell after several conflicts with the British. The Cape Coast Castle is a sobering legacy of the perilous conditions enslaved people faced before being transported to the Americas.

Recent history

In 1957, under Kwame Nkrumah’s leadership, Ghana was the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to gain independence from European colonial rule. The country was also renamed from Gold Coast to Ghana (meaning ‘Warrior King’ in the Soninke language) to honor the ancient Ghana Empire. Ghana's independence became a symbol of anti-colonialism and sparked other liberation movements across the continent.

Between the 60s and 80s, Ghana experienced various economic challenges and periods of political instability that led to military coups and short-lived governments. A series of reforms under Jerry Rawlings’ leadership in the early 1980s stabilized the economy, and since the 1990s, Ghana has been one of the most stable democracies in Africa. Despite corruption and infrastructure development challenges, Ghana has seen significant economic growth, largely driven by its abundant natural resources including cocoa, gold and oil.

With tropical weather and fertile farmlands, Ghana boasts a variety of fruit, legumes and vegetables. Thanks to its vast coastline, seafood is also abundant. When you join us on a Ghana trip, you'll have many opportunities to try the cuisine, whether it's sharing a home-cooked meal at a homestay or sampling popular street snacks at a market. 

Here are some dishes and drinks to try in Ghana. 

1. Fufu

This staple can be found all over Ghana and West Africa. Consisting of pounded and boiled cassava or yam, mixed with mashed plantain, fufu is rolled into a ball as a spoon to scoop up soup or stew and then eaten. A tasty multi-tasker! 

2. Jollof rice

Said to have originated in Senegal, this big pot of seasoned rice is one of Ghana's most flavorsome dishes. White rice is cooked in tomato paste, stock, onions, garlic, chili and other spices. It’s a hearty and affordable standalone dish, but it also goes great with fried plantain or a protein of your choice. 

3. Kelewele

This dish of fried plantains spiced with cayenne pepper, chili powder, nutmeg and cloves is a popular snack sold by market and street vendors. Eat it alone to curb your afternoon hunger or enjoy it as a side with stew or rice. 

4. Kenkey

This staple dish popular throughout West Africa is made by fermenting ground maize, rolling it into dumplings, then cooking it in banana leaves or foil. Kenkey can be served alongside hot sauce, gravy and fried fish. 

5. Kyinkyinga

This West African version of the kebab is a true street food favorite. Featuring seasoned meat (usually beef) with onions, capsicum, tomatoes, garlic and chili, it’s then topped with a delicious peanut sauce and served with rice, salad and bread. 

6. Sobolo

There’s a good chance sobolo will be your new favorite soft drink. It’s made from dried hibiscus petals steeped in hot water and mixed with palm sugar, ginger, cloves, selim and pineapple. Chilli and peppercorns can also be added for an extra kick. Enjoy it hot in the morning or with ice on a muggy afternoon.

7. Asaana

This refreshing corn drink is made by boiling sprouted corn kernels and mixing them with caramelized sugar syrup. It’s served cold with ice and milk.