Ghana boasts an expansive history that dates back millennia. The castles and forts found throughout Ghana serve as reminders of Europe’s contact with Africa through gold trading and slave trafficking.
Asante culture can still be found today in traditional buildings northeast of Kumasi. These structures are known for their intricate mural decorations featuring geometric motifs interlaced into intricate murals.
Cape Coast Castle
Cape Coast castles and forts provided, for over four centuries, an idyllic shopping street for traders from Europe’s major maritime nations to buy and sell goods – acting as an emotional symbol of European-African contact as well as being at the core of African Diaspora history.
Cape Coast Castle now serves as a historical museum that educates the public on the cruelty of slavery, while it was featured prominently in 1993 film Sankofa. However, during its 18th-century usage as part of Britain’s slave trade network – thousands of Africans brought here were sold off onto ships bound for Americas from here.
Paga Nania Slave Camp
Pikworo Slave Camp, established three kilometers west of Paga in Kassena Nankana District’s Upper East Region in 1704 and operating as a slave transit camp until 1826 was an unforgettable reminder of our dark history. Acted as both stopover and auction market for slaves captured from Mossi lands around Paga for sale at Salaga slave market located further north, such as in Ghana.
Haunting remnants of the past are everywhere in this area, including oval-shaped shallow holes in rocks that served as bowls for slaves to use when eating and crevices in rocks that provided access to water sources for slaves.
Wa Naa’s Palace
Located in Wa, this palace serves as the official residence of the Wala people and holds great political, religious and cultural significance for local residents. It serves as the venue for traditional important ceremonies including Dumba and Jinbenti festivals as well as for welcoming a new Wa Naa.
Built in the 19th century, this palace masterfully combines Sudanese and Moorish architecture. Its frontage features buttresses with pinnacles that rise above its parapet, earning recognition by World Monuments Fund as one of the finest ancient architecturally beautiful structures requiring preservation.
Holy Trinity Cathedral
Built to commemorate Georgian unity, this church designed by architect Archil Mindiashvili and completed in 2004 features an eclectic European-like aesthetic.
The Cathedral boasts breathtaking stained glass windows depicting Old and New Testament scenes, as well as two magnificent imperial thrones crafted of white ebony, ivory and marble – an unparalleled sight!
The church, located in a bustling area, attracts visitors from all backgrounds. Additionally, cultural events and lectures are often held here, while it also boasts an air-con library stocked with English newspapers and magazines. Tourists looking for some peace and serenity often flock to it; making it one of the top visited spots in Addis Ababa.
Lake Bosomtwe
Lake Bosomtwe is Ghana’s only natural lake and one of only a handful of meteorite cratere lakes worldwide. Situated in Ashanti region approximately an hour and a half drive south east from Kumasi.
Local legend suggests that in 1648, Akora Bompe was hunting an injured antelope when it abruptly vanished into what appeared to be a small pond. Believing the water gods were trying to save its life, the hunter began hunting again.
The Abrodwum Stone serves as the spiritual heart of Lake Victoria. When fishing is insufficient, this is considered bad omen and sacrificed cows are sacrificed at its base in front of Asantehene (Ashanti King).
Salaga Market
Salaga was one of the key market centres during West Africa’s transatlantic slave trade. Here merchants from northern markets and forest regions would come together, exchanging salt, kola nuts, cowries, African drinks and gold to trade.
Relics from this town’s past include wells where slaves washed their clothing and bodies as well as a young baobab tree used as a bathing spot; there’s also a famous slave cemetery and warehouse on site.
Tourists visiting this historic site can explore it by hiring taxis or sharing minibusses known as tro-tros. Petty theft can be an issue in such locations; therefore, tourists must remain mindful of this risk and safeguard their belongings when visiting.
