Africa's best kept seaside secret

omotolani

August 23, 2017 7:32 PM

I decided to try their local meal of Banku (fermented corn and cassava dough), let's just say Banku is not for me.

Kokrobite, Ghana

White shimmery dots of electricity as far as the eyes could see, Ghana looked breathtaking at night.

I arrived Weija, the hilly state of Ghana, at night and it totally swept me off my feet. I was a child all over again as we passed in between the hills.

Excitement written all over my face, I have never seen anything like it in my life. The state of Weija, where we stayed, reminds you of bliss. It wasn't the poshest part of Ghana, but it felt like a balm for a wounded soul.

Getting to Weija involved a much longer drive than our trip from Lagos to Togo, but the journey was completely worth it for the beauty of the destination.

Arriving at our destination you could tell Nigerians had touched it! Loud music was booming from a restaurant called 'Nigerians delight'.

That night I slept like a baby after eating Ghanaian 'Cabbage soup' and rice.

Next morning I hit the streets of Ghana. How we got to West Hills Mall, I have no idea. Our host Gabriel , Wilson and Daniel couldn't stop boasting about how that mall was the biggest in West Africa (didn't look that big to me though).

Monday I decided to try their local meal of Banku (fermented corn and cassava dough), let's just say Banku is not for me.

Tuesday, we went sightseeing at Jamestown.

Jamestown is like Nigeria's Ebute-Metta and Tarkwa Bay. Historical relics and monuments, fishermen and children who don't want to go to school.

My guide, Humphrey Ayee tells me Jamestown is a fishing community inhabited primarily by the Ga. It is a popular tourist destination for those seeking to see the remnants of Accra's colonial past.

The original Jamestown Light, built by the British at James Fort in 1871, was replaced in the 1930s by the current Accra Light, which is 28 m (92 ft) tall.

We take a stroll through the Jamesfort prison which contains the cell that KwameNkrumah was kept in (Founding Father of Ghana).

It is a bit run down but bits have been kept (wall charts containing prisoner details and chains).

The prison is almost 400 years old and was originally built for 200 slaves. It housed over 740 male and female prisoners till the year 2007.

We decided to take some days off and head to the beach. Part of our "Ghana rendezvous". Unlike Nigeria where you have to pay for everything, there was no gate fee for the beach.

One thing that struck me was the raving madness of the beach. It behaved like someone had snatched its child and cut off his head.

One thing is certain the ocean ain't friendly in Ghana (nothing peaceful and calm).

Before leaving Ghana we decided to pay a visit to Ghana's hot spot, Purple Bar. Words alone cannot describe this place full of American exchange students from the University of Ghana, Nigerians, Cameroonians, Liberians and even folks from Zimbabwe!

It was like a street carnival in Jamaica.

I felt so sad leaving Ghana, it was really a beautiful place and warm people. Goodbye Ghana, expect me soon!

omotolani