Ghana
Taking its name from the earliest known empire in Western Sudan,
Ghana in actuality has neither direct historical connection to nor
territory in common with its namesake, the Ghana Empire, whose roots
stem from the eighth century AD. Some hold that the ancestors of the
current inhabitants migrated to present-day Ghana from the ancient
empire centuries ago, but there exists no historical document to
verify or disprove this claim. Paralleling the fortitude and
tenacity of the great ancient empire, however, modern-day Ghana went
down in the history books in 1957 by being a pioneer in the sphere
of African emancipation, when it became the first African state to
achieve independence from a colonial power. To tour the country
today is to journey into a memorable countryside, where traditional
tribal villages, colonial remnants and modern structures share
territory and w here an impoverished people are remarkably
hospitable and proud despite their many hardships.
From the fifteenth century onwards, Ghana saw no fewer than half a
dozen European peoples breach her borders- Portuguese, German,
French, Swedes, Danes and Angles- and each was successful in leaving
a permanent mark on the Ghanaian landscape. Travellers on our Ghana
tours will bear witness to some of the fascinating colonial
architecture that is littered around the countryside- 42 colonial
forts in varying states of disrepair yet stand within the borders of
Ghana as a reminder of the country's torrid past and of the age of
the ivory, gold and slave trades. As do some choice colonial sites,
some ancient indigenous architecture enjoys protection under the
UNESCO World Heritage List; the traditional buildings of the Asante
civilization, for example, whose descendants are the Akan people of
modern-day Ghana. Perhaps there is no greater indication of Ghana's
historical subjugation under a colonial power than the fact that
English is the official language of the nation, even though nine
other languages are classified as government sponsored and there
exist upwards of seventy languages and dialects spoken across the
land.
View all our Ghana Tours
As regards the natural world, Ghana rivals any territory in West
Africa. Grassy plains, thick, tropical rainforests, coastal wetlands
and glorious, palm-tree-perforated beaches make for a highly
picturesque backdrop when it comes to touring the country. If it's
wildlife you're after, then look no further than Ghana's small yet
world-famous national parks and game reserves, where you can gaze at
elephants, lions, antelope and monkeys.