Accra, Ghana, June 25, 2018//-Ghana is one of the hospitable destinations for businesspeople, tourists and everybody as the West African country has a lot to offer.
Here are the eight things to see and do while in the country:
Peace and security: The issue of terrorism which is rearing its ugly head on other parts of West Africa, is absent in Ghana.
Though, Ghana is a multi-ethnic country, Ghanaians know how best to handle their internal issues. Ghanaians loved their peace and security that is why Ghana was the first country in the sub-Saharan Africa to gain independence in 1957 from the British.
So, feel free to book to your business flights to Ghana. Your safety and investment is guaranteed.
Greetings/Akwaaba: Another important virtuous of Ghanaians is greetings. The people in that West Africa country value it too much. That why at Ghana’s only international airport- Kotoka International Airport and other airports such as Kumasi, Tamale, and Takoradi, you could see huge billboards with the inscriptions Akwaaba which means ‘You Are Welcome’. Akwaaba is an Akan word which is an ethnic group Ghana and other parts of West Africa. Apart from the Akwaaba, they are a number of greetings in the various languages in the country.
Fortunately, English being the official language of Ghana, greetings such Good morning, Good afternoon, and Good evening are all accepted. Always remember that anytime you are in Ghana, exchange of greetings is a must.
In the Ghanaian cultural etiquette, hand-shakes are used in greetings for both sexes from right to left. Never ever greet a Ghanaian with a left-hand. It is considered as an insult.
When greeting Ghanaians your palms should be properly aligned or fixed with the hands that you are shaking. Remember to follow this order always regardless of the age, gender, and social status of the people that you are greeting.
When you enter a room or meet people or a person, you have to greet first. If you do not greet them, you will be considered as a total stranger or somebody who is uncultured or uncivilised.
Always remember to greet traditional chiefs by removing your sandals, shoes, hats, and hats and lower your height or you should squat down when greeting them. If you go contrary to this you will regret it.
The power of the right hand: Unlike the Western world where the left hand is used in exchanging items including business cards and money, it is an offence to use the left hand in that same acts in Ghana.
Even eating with the left hand is considered as demonic. Generally speaking, the left hand is considered as bad and only use sorry to say for toilet. So, be careful when you are exchanging business cards, cheques, money, and gifts with your Ghanaian business partner(s).
Always remember to share: People in Ghana do not live the independent lifestyles as Westerners. So, sharing of food and sharing of items are the two that help join the culture of interdependence. In some cases, elders give their old clothes and shoes to the young ones. It is that therefore not surprised that foreign nationals say that Ghanaians loved and cared for the under-privileged.
Anytime you in Ghana do not hesitate to share your knowledge, ideas, and gifts with Ghanaians. However, Ghanaians are not beggars unless begging is their last resort.
Accra: For a visitor to explore Ghana, he or she should begin with the historical capital of Ghana, Accra. It was recently tipped by the New World Wealth report to be the fastest-growing African city for millionaires.
The Ghanaian capital with an estimated population of 4.5 million inhabitants is one of the safest and most traversable of African cities, and brimming with interest.
The atmospheric older quarters of Accra namely Usshertown, and Jamestown characterized by an architectural cocktail spanning several centuries, spiced with striking landmarks such as the 17th century Osu Castle which used to be the seat of government and Jamestown Lighthouse, the more modern Independence Arch and Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum, and the booming fishing market.
To add up, modern Accra where majority of business executives, senior government, and the politicians live comprises Cantonments Road, popularly known as Oxford District, the city’s hip downtown with bustling shops, handicrafts, fabrics, hotels, restaurants, among others.
Kwame Nkrumah Circle: It is named after Ghana’s first President, and a great Pan-Africanist Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah. By far, it is the most central point in Accra and life never stops there.
It has interchanges which was commissioned by the previous John Mahama-led government. This circle is also a home to large pedestrian shopping market as well as a transport hub for travelers within Accra and outside Accra.
Additionally, the circle is place where people especially foreigners purchase and register their SIM cards before they can access mobile phone services.
The place is always booming with business activities. Because of its lively nature people jokily say Ghana is being run by Kwame Nkrumah Circle.
The magnificent Accra Mall: From Kwame Nkrumah Circle or the streets, you can pick a commercial van popularly known in Ghana as trotro or taxi cab to the magnificent Accra Mall. This shopping mall which is located on the Spintex Road adjacent the Tema Motorway is the second finest and largest shopping in Ghana, after West Hills Mall.
The Accra Mall enclosed, fully air-conditioned shopping centre accommodates 65 line-shops which is owned by foreign Ghanaian retailers. It houses a clinic, banks, among others.
The mall also has a food court being run by international franchise such as Barcelos, Ocean Sting, and Rhraspody.
Three South African retail giants: Shoprite, Game Stores, and Price a South African are being anchored by the mall to sell their products to the masses.
To entertain the people, Silverbird operates a huge five-screen cinema theatre complex. YFM, a private radio station, a night club, and bars are all located at the mall.
The eateries, retail, banking activities, among others, make the mall the best state-of-the-art retail and tourist destination in Ghana.
From the above, Accra Mall is place where the movers and shakers of the Ghanaian economy meet to make, plan, analyse business decisions, and to dine and win.
The Arts Centre: The government owned Centre for National Culture widely known as “The Arts Centre” is located in Accra. It is a five minutes walking distance from Independence Square that hosts national events including yearly Independence Day Parade which occurs 6th March every year to celebrate Ghana’s Independence Day anniversaries.
The centre is situated right next to the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park that hosts the Kwame Nkrumah Museum. At this centre, whatever the time and the nature of the weather you will find tourists purchasing or looking at traditional handicrafts in various forms from all over Ghana, West Africa, and the African continent. The Arts Centre has art galleries, offices, and conferences.
This never-sleep tourist centre also has in displace woven Kente cloth, earrings, bracelets, and other traditional ornaments from Ghana, and other parts of Africa.
Travelers to Ghana, is informed that there is an arts and crafts bazaar and a traditional textile market with souvenirs that have been crafted in clay, wood, leather and metal. The major of these craftsmen are Ghanaian Rastafarians, while the handicrafts are mainly purchased by foreign tourists and few Ghanaians.
So make it a point to visit there anytime you are Ghana.
By Masahudu Ankiilu Kunateh, African Eye Report
