FACTS you should know
- Ghana, which means “Warrior King” is a beautiful, tropical climate country located in West Africa. With a surface area of 238,837 sq km, it is similar in size to Great Britain or the American State of Oregon. Most of the country is relatively flat and lies below an altitude of 150m but several peaks in the east rise to above 800m. It has a tropical climate, warm to hot all year through, and can be divided into two broad geographic zones; the south and centre are moist and support a cover of a drier savannah environment.
- THE PEOPLE: Ghana’s population is estimated at 25 million (females-51%, males-49%), roughly 10% live in and around the capital city of Accra. Other major urban centers include Cape Coast, Kumasi, Tamale, Tema and Takoradi. More than 70 languages and major dialects are spoken countrywide, classified in 4 linguistic groups namely; Akan, Mole-Dagbani, Ewe and Ga. The most widespread Akan language is Twi, which is spoken by roughly half the population, including the Asante (Ashanti) people of Kumasi and the coastal Fante. Two-thirds of Ghanaians are Christian, another 15% are Islam, and the remainder adheres to traditional animist beliefs.
- CLIMATE: Bounded on the South by the Atlantic Ocean and on the West by La Cote D’ivoire, the East by Togo and the North by Burkina Faso. Ghana is a tropical country. The South Western part is located within the warm wet forest zone similar to the Amazon. Accra, the capital, is located in the dry equatorial cones. Northern Ghana has a range season from about April to October. The rest of the year is hot and dry, with temperatures up to about 38’C. In the Southern Ghana, the rains last from April to June and again from September to October. Generally, temperatures are between 21-31’C. The rains are usually restricted to specific times each day during the rainy season; they are not continuous throughout the day.
- REGIONAL CAPITAL MILEAGE FROM ACCRA:
- Greater Accra Region
- (Tema) - 29km
- Eastern Region (Koforidua) - 85km
- Volta (Ho) - 165km
- Central Region (Cape Coast) - 144km
- Western Region (Sekondi/Takoradi) - 218km
- Ashanti Region (Kumasi) - 270km
- Brong Ahafo Region (Sunyani) - 400km
- Northern Region (Tamale) - 658km
- Upper East Region (Bolgatanga) - 740km
- Upper West Region (Wa) - 740km
- POPULATION: 25,000,000 (51%-Female and 49% Male)
- LANGUAGE: Official – English Local languages include Akan, Ewe, Ga, Dagbani, Nzema and Hausa.
- RELIGION: Mostly Christians, Muslims and Traditional religions also exist.
- CAPITAL CITY: Accra
- GOVERNMENT: Constitutional Democracy
- INDEPENDENCE: 6th March 1957 from British Administration. The country was formally known as the GOLD COAST.
- LOCAL TIME: Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) NATURAL
- RESOURCES: Gold, Diamond, Bauxite, Manganese, Timber and Cocoa.
- CURRENCY: Ghana Cedis (GHC)
- POPULAR SPORTS: Football (Soccer)
- PUBLIC HOLIDAYS:
- January 1st – New Year’s Day
- January/February – Eid Ul Adha (according to Muslim calendar)
- March 6th – Independence Day
- April – Good Friday Easter Monday
- May 1st – May Day
- May 25th – African Union Day
- July 1st Republic Day
- November/December – Eid Ul- Fitr (Moslem festival)
- December 1st – Farmers Day (first Friday in December)
- December 25th – Christmas
- December 26th – Boxing day
CENTRAL REGION (CAPE COAST)
The Central Region is the former government centre of the Gold Coast. Cape Coast was the seat of the British colonial administration up until 1877. The coastline is famous for its ancient forts and castles built by early European traders, and three of them at Elmina, St.Jago and Cape Coast have been identified as World Heritage Monuments by the World heritage Foundation under UNESCO.
The Region is also famous for its palm-fringed beaches, fascinating fishing villages and historic towns, and rich natural attractions. Kakum National Park, just 30km north of Cape Coast, is the foremost nature reserve in Southern Ghana and well worth a visit. Almost untouched virgin rainforest has been preserved, as a habitat for birds, butterflies and rare local animals, and Kakum is most accessible, as it is very easy to reach from Accra.
The Region’s culture is depicted through its many exciting festivals, which are held throughout the year. Some of the best known festival are ‘Bakatue’, literally the opening up of Benya Lagoon into the sea, which symbolized the beginning of the fishing season for the people of Elmina; ‘Edina Bronya’, a native version of Christmas celebrated by the people of Elmina on the first Thursday of New Year; ‘Aboakyer’ or game hunting, one of the most famous festivals celebrated by the chiefs and people of Winneba on the first Saturday in May; and ‘Fetu Afahye’ celebrated with a durbar of chiefs by the people of Cape Coast on the first Saturday of September. Another famous festival is ‘Odambea’ celebrated on the last Saturday in August in Saltpond Traditional Area, and reflecting a migration of the local people centuries ago.
The historic towns in the region that deserve a visit include Winneba, traditionally known as ‘Simpa’ Winneba; Kromantse Abandze, the site of Fort Amsterdam; Duakwa and Mensah Krom, homeof some of the Region’s best woodcarvers; Ajumako aware where the carvers specialize in royal regalia, linguistic staffs and clan totems.
Throughout the Central Region, there are welcoming hotels and restaurants, all an easy drive from Accra. If you are seeking to discover the historical links between Africa and the Americas and Europe, or just wanting to explore a culture that has its roots in another era, or just wanting to relax on a sun-dappled beach, then the Central Region- Cape Coast must not be missed.
BRIEF HISTORY OF CAPE COAST (CULTURE, FOOD, & FESTIVAL)
INTRODUCTION
Cape Coast, or Cabo Corso, is the capital of the Central Region of Ghana. It is also the capital city of the Fante (Fanti) people, or (Mfantsefo). It is situated 165 km west of Accra on the Gulf of Guinea. It has a population of 217,032 (2012 census). From the 16th century the city has changed hands between the British, the Portuguese, the Swedish, the Danish and the Dutch. The city's Fante name is Oguaa.
HISTORY
Founded by the Portuguese in the 15th century, Cape Coast grew around Cape Coast Castle, now a World Heritage Site. It was converted to a castle by the Dutch in 1650, then expanded by the Swedes in 1652 and captured by the British in 1664. The British based their Gold Coast operations in the town until they were expelled because of severe opposition to the "window tax" in 1877. Accra became their state. Cape Coast was also where most of the slaves were held before their journey on the Middle Passage
ATTRACTIONS
The crab is the town's mascot and a statue of one lies in the city center. Fort William, built in 1820, was an active lighthouse from 1835 to the 1970s, while Fort Victoria was built in 1702. Other attractions include a series of Asafo Shrines, Cape Coast Centre for National Culture, the Oguaa Fetu Afahye harvest festival, and since 1992, the biennial Panafest theater festival.
DISHES
The main dishes of the people of Cape Coast includes ‘fante dorkunu’ or ‘kenkey with fish and gravy, fufu and palmnut soup, jollof rice, ‘fante fante’ (palm oil stew with small fresh fish) and tatale, ampesi and oto (mashed yam). Beverages include tea/coffee or cocoa drinks and bread, cheese and butter, palmwine, coconut juice, ‘akpeteshie’…and many more.
THE TRADITIONAL CAPE COAST FETU AFAHYE (Carnival) FESTIVAL
The most attractive aspects of Ghanaian cultural life are that of the colorful traditional festivals and durbars which are frequently held in all parts of the country. Festivals reveal some common features, during these festivals; the people remember their past leaders and pray for help and protection. Festivals are also held In order to purify the hole state so that the people can enter the New Year with confidence and hope.
Fetu Afahye is being celebrated by the people of Oguaa or Cape Coast Traditional Area in the central Region is named after the 17th Century Fetu or Effutu kingdom which is located 19km inland of Cape Coast. This festival starts on the 1st of September every year, features of the festival is the state purification rites which includes the paramount Chief’s Yam festival and is observed in the form of offering mashed yams to the gods.
The festival is very colorful and it’s like a grand festival there is a processing of chiefs, drumming, dancing and firing of musketry but this is uniqueness in the traditional attire of the various warrior groups and the slaughtering of a cow in public for the 77 gods of Oguaa (Cape Coast) There is also a display of traditional priests and priestesses on Monday night, which attracts large crowd mainly the youth and thousands of people including foreigners from all over the country travel to witness the festival.
This festival has effect of creating in the people a feeling of pride in their cultural heritage and spiritual affinity. During this occasion, it also gives people the opportunity to meet old friends and relatives they’ve missed for a long time. But there’s another significant feature ceremony “Bakatue” involves cutting through the sand bar separating the Fosu lagoon and the sea to allow the lagoon access into the sea presumably to bring more fish into the lagoon.
The Omanhene (Paramount Chief) as part of the event, pours libation to the deity, Nana Fosu, Omanhene’s net is cast three times into the lagoon to signify the lifting of the ban on lagoon fishing. Various fishermen’s groups in the municipality organize a regatta or board race on the lagoon. A grand Durbar climaxes the festival.
TOURIST SITES TO VISIT IN CAPE COAST
KAKUM NATIONAL PARK:
A 357km! national park comprising undisturbed virgin rainforest. Excellent walking tours (and a canopy walkway) through the forest provide the opportunity to see much of Ghana’s indigenous plant life, as well as rare butterflies, birds and game (that could include the extraordinary Bongo and forest elephant). Highlights includes: Forest walks, Bird watching Medicinal plants, and Treetop canopy walkway.
CANOPY WALKWAY
The Kakum Canopy Walkway is Africa's first and only rainforest walkway. It is composed of 350 meters of suspended bridge and six tree platforms that reach the height of 30 meters above the forest floor. From the treetops, visitors experience a unique and spectacular view of the rainforest ecosystem and have the opportunity to see flora and fauna, which could never be viewed from the ground. Hundreds of species of butterflies and birds can be viewed from the Walkway early in the morning and if visitors are lucky, they may catch a glimpse of the Spot-nose, Campbell's and Columbus monkeys.
OSTRICH FARM
Not far from the Kakum National Park is the beautiful Ostrich farm which has live ostriches. They are amazing and strong birds who live for over hundred years. You get to pick up an ostrich egg upfront before the entrance Into the farm; which is an amazing life experience. You also get to feed these birds and as well play with them.
CASTLES
The castles along the coast of the Central Region are amongst the best preserved in Ghana. Not to be missed are Cape Coast Castle & Elmina Castle Local highlights includes: Castle tours including the slave dungeons, walking tours of Elmina and the fishermen’s market, and the Cape Coast Castle Museum.
HANS COTTAGE MOTEL
Live Crocodiles(harmless), boating on a crocodile lake, scenery of some rare species of birds, etc..