Ghana Small Group Holidays

Introducing Ghana (Continued...)

a tribute to the warmth of its native people - and never fails to draw visitors into a daily rhythm that is unmistakably African. A love of festivals is at the heart of Ghanaian culture; barely a week goes past without a town or village holding one of its major annual celebrations. Everyday events, such as weddings, name-giving ceremonies and even funerals contribute to the country's eccentric and lively atmosphere.
The climate of the country ranges widely thanks to it having Amazonian wet forest zones in the south west and year round hot and dry areas in the north. The south coast, which is home to the bustling capital city Accra, experiences rainy seasons from April through June, as well as in September and October. Fortunately, these are usually experienced irregularly and just for a few days at a time. Temperature in the capital ranges from 21 to 31C, and the north boasts highs of 38C. Ghana is also home to the world’s largest artificial lake, the Volta, which is home to Ghana’s largest concentration of community based eco-tourism sites.

Athletics

Ghana is a country famed for producing many of Africa’s premier athletes. It is home to a wealth of talent proved by the country’s performance in recent Olympics, Commonwealth Games and World Championships. The sport is popular among school children and adults alike and is relatively easy to organise. Athletic training provides fun and structured entertainment in local communities. Young athletes train hard, dreaming of becoming the next World Champion sprinter or jumper and always welcome tourist involvement in nationwide coaching projects.

Cultural

Ghana’s most notable feature is the great number of festivals it hosts throughout the year. At these lively affairs, locals dress up in their finest traditional attire and tourists are invited to join in. Over 100 Ghanaian celebrations have become special tourism events in recent years. With a rich musical tradition, locals provide authentic drumming and dancing lessons on the famous beach of Cape Coast, inviting people to participate in these age-old arts. The area hosts an array of talented musicians and dancers; you can even take a class with one of the best, Ghana’s only female master drummer, or learn how villages use ‘talking drums’ to communicate with neighbouring communities – a technique that is still used today.

Football

Since football was introduced to Ghana’s coast by European merchants in the 19th century, the popularity of the sport has gone from strength to strength. Many regard the national team as the best in the continent. By far the country’s number one sport, football borders on religion for most of the population. The Ghana Football Association is based in Accra, but there are hundreds of local teams across the country. Volunteer organisations have been set up all over, organising football teams and arranging coaching with help from international workers. Get involved with one of these projects to help out during your stay, or just enjoy a kick-about on the street.

Hockey

The popularity of hockey has increased exponentially over recent years; Ghana’s typically dry and flat terrain lends itself perfectly to the sport. Accra has hosted both the Africa Hockey Club Championships and the Hockey Cup for Nations on its famous National Hockey Pitch. The $100,000 facility is a beacon for sporting individuals in the city and across the nation. Voluntary hockey coaching projects have been set up in the beautiful coastal Keea district and work with local schools in the area. These schemes are always looking for committed tourists to get involved in their mission to encourage young athletes to play as part of a structured hockey team.

Netball

Netball is one of Ghana’s up-and-coming sports. Though the country does not have a history of mass participation, there has been a significant increase in school and university involvement over the last few years. Ghana boasts a number of decent club teams who train and complete at international level. An improved national squad has emerged in recent years with a number of talented players. Training at a grass-roots level is still in the developing stages as funding is often directed to more established sports. In order to encourage interest in local communities and provide the coaching young netball hopefuls need, volunteer projects have been established across the country and are always looking for the help of dedicated and sporty tourists.

Overland Tours

Ghana invites you to get out and explore its traditional rural areas as each region boasts a distinct culture and heritage. Tourists can enjoy a range of expeditions, which often employ local people as guides. Tours range from challenging ventures from Accra to the heart of Nairobi in the north, encountering harsh terrains and extreme weather, to beautiful eco-tours through the country’s many national parks, rainforest areas and waterfalls. All overland tours aim to take you into the heart of West Africa while experiencing unforgettable virgin beaches, bustling markets, and historical sites steeped in moving history.

Rugby

The Ghanaian passion for sport spreads into rugby, though youth involvement in this sport still remains in the developing stages. Ghana is home to a national rugby union team as well as several clubs. Organisation at a local level in Ghana’s towns and villages still suffers from a lack of structure and funding, although there’s certainly no lack of love for the sport among 10-16 year olds across the country. Volunteer projects based in the Keea district are constantly hiring passionate volunteers to assist in coaching young teams and providing aspiring players with a structured environment to develop the sport.

Volleyball

Ghana’s beautiful beaches and coastline provide a perfect environment for this popular beach-sport. Volleyball has become an increasingly competitive sport in recent years and the country boasts successful male and female national teams. The sport has become an increasingly popular activity amongst women and provides a great opportunity for Ghanaian female sports-stars to compete on an international level. The sport has not lost its leisurely and fun appeal however, and is still enjoyed up and down Cape Coast and around the capital, Accra.

Classic Itineraries

Ghana is a country of many delights, both rural and urban. This beautiful country has worked hard to develop a tourist trade, and the bustling city centres of Accra and Kumasi have much to offer. Attractions include fine beaches, game reserves, casinos and castles as well as the National Culture Centre and Arts Centre. Outside the city, Ghana boasts a wealth of indigenous culture and folk traditions in its rural areas. The carnivals held weekly in the small communities across the country offer an exciting insight into pure African life and should not be missed by any curious traveller. The country is a nature lover’s delight and the exotic wildlife and spectacular rainforests are a must-see. The Volta region has emerged as a pioneer of eco-tourism and offers outdoor enthusiasts superb opportunities for hiking, rambling and mountain biking. Keep an eye out for Ada Foah on the Volta estuary, a stunning nesting place for endangered marine turtles.

Other Activities

Over recent years Ghana has emerged as a pioneer in the field of community based eco-tourism. The country’s ecological sites and reserves are well worth seeing and offer a range of activities for nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts. The Volta region is home to the sacred monkeys of Tafi Atome, the country’s highest peak on Mt. Afijado and the impressive Wli Falls, the tallest cascade in West Africa. This is also a great area for hiking, rambling and mountain biking. The Boabeng-Fiem monkey sanctuary is a national pride, and visitors can expect to see troops of sacred mona and black-and-white colobus monkeys. If you want to truly get away from it all, western beaches such as Bursa, Axim and Beyin offer idyllic surroundings, away from the more famous beaches surrounding Accra and Cape Coast.