RLWC EnjoyGhana

03/01/2019

In a news report by the CNN, Ghana which is West Africa’s poster nation for economic success and political stability is hoping to trade up its tourism status for 2019, with a campaign targeting the African diaspora whose ancestors were victims of the brutal slave trade of centuries gone by.

01/11/2018

Traditional cloth called kente and worn by royalty and ordinary people alike.

01/11/2018

16/10/2018

Our objective is to showcase the tourism potentials of Ghana to attract both local and foreign visitors. Ghana is home to a wonderful mix of fauna, flora, landscapes, beaches, slave trade relics, colonial castles and forts, adventure sports, lakes and above all, very peaceful and friendly people. Visiting Ghana is a unforgettable experience second to none.

13/10/2018

Boabeng-Fiema Monkey Sanctuary
Boabeng-Fiema monkey sanctuary is one of such sanctuaries in Ghana. It is located in the Nkoranza North District of Brong Ahafo Region.
Two different species of monkeys are found here: the black and white Geoffroy's Colobus, and the smaller Campbell's Mona. The Colobus lives high up in the trees eating leaves. The Monas are at lower heights and come down to live among residents who consider them sacred and do not harm them. They eat a variety of food offered to them by the residents and visitors. The people even bury the dead monkeys in a graveyard together with priestesses.

06/10/2018

Paga Crocodile Pond
Located in the north-eastern part of Ghana, Paga is a sacred crocodile sanctuary. Although crocodiles are considered as wild creatures, the Paga crocodiles are friendly and coexist with humans. The friendly relationship continues to baffle the minds of many. This is in contrast to the perception that crocodiles are dangerous. It is a customary offence to harm, kill or show any sign of disrespect to the crocodile of Paga. It is not uncommon to find children and/or visitors sitting on the back of or holding the tale of a crocodile without any harm, after a sacrifice of fowl. This is normal for the people of Paga but a mystery to visitors.

31/08/2018

More Hogbetsotso pictures

31/08/2018

HOGBETSOTSO FESTIVAL
The “Anlo Ewes”, an ethnic group in the southern part of the Volta Region of Ghana, are believed to have settled in Notsie in Togo when they first migrated from Southern Sudan. Legend has it that they escaped from the tyrannical ruler of Notsie, Ago-Koli, by walking backwards. In order to commemorate the exodus and the bravery of their traditional rulers who led them on the journey, the people created this annual “Exodus Festival”. There are many ceremonies associated with the festival, including a peace-making period where all outstanding problems are supposed to be resolved. This is a purification ceremony of the traditional stool and a period of general cleaning when the villages are swept and rubbish burnt. This cleaning ceremony begins at the Volta Estuary and goes on for days until it finally reaches the Mono River in the Republic of Benin. An essential aspect of the festival is a durbar of chiefs and people. Chiefs dress in very colouful regalia and sit in state to receive homage from their subjects. Dancing, singing and general merry-making go on every single day of the month preceding the day of the durbar except market days. The main durbar always take place on the first Saturday of November in Anloga, in the Volta Region.

31/08/2018

More paragliding pictures

31/08/2018

PARAGLIDING
Ghana Paragliding Festival has become a part of the Easter celebrations in Ghana. The festival attracts both Ghanaians and foreigners alike for more than 3 days of spectacular aerial fun, ceremony and music.
Since 2005, tandem and solo paraglider pilots gather from around the world to fly local Ghanaian spectators and foreign visitors. The festival boasts consistent flying conditions that begin around mid morning and remain soarable until late in the day. The thermals are consistently large and mild and offer a fantastic opportunity for both newer pilots to gain valuable experience and airtime as well as for seasoned pilots who want to enjoy hours of "stress free" flying.
There are many reasons to attend the Annual Ghana Paragliding Festival, as either a participating tandem pilot, a solo pilot or a non-flying guest.

30/08/2018

ANCESTRAL RIVER PARK
This is the river where slaves had their last bath before being shipped to the Americas and the Caribbeans.

30/08/2018

LARABANGA MOSQUE
The Larabanga Mosque was built in 1421 and it has undergone restoration several times by the World Monument Fund. The Sudanese architectural model of the mosque is a sight to behold.
Larabanga is a small town located
about 13 miles west of Damongo
in the Northern part of Ghana. It is predominantly a Muslim community.
It is touted as one of the oldest mosques in West Africa and has been referred to as the "Mecca of West Africa". As small as it may look, the mosque is able to accommodate thousands of worshipers.
According to a legend, an Islamic trader named Ayuba had a dream while staying here, instructing him to build a mosque. Strangely, when he woke up, he found the foundations already in place and he continued the building until it was completed.
There is a belief that he left instructions that he should be buried close to the mosque. After three days, a baobab which would shoot up on his grave should be preserved for generations. The baobab tree is still next to the mosque today. The townsfolk of Larabanga supposedly depend on the leaves and stem of this baobab tree for healing of their ailments.

29/08/2018

PAGA CROCODILE POND
Located in the north-eastern corner of Ghana, Paga is a sacred crocodile sanctuary. Although crocodiles are considered as wild creatures, the Paga crocodiles are friendly and coexist with humans. It is a customary offence to harm, kill or show any sign of disrespect to the crocodiles of Paga. It is not uncommon to find children and/or visitors sitting on the back of or holding the tail of a crocodile without any harm, after a sacrifice of fowl. This is normal for the people of Paga but a mystery to visitors.

13/08/2018

ELMINA CASTLE
Elmina Castle was built by Portuguese in 1482 as São Jorge da Mina (St. George of the Mine), also known simply as Mina or Feitoria da Mina in present-day Elmina, Ghana.
Elmina Castle was the first trading post and the oldest European building in existence below the Sahara.
It also became one of the most important stops on the Atlantic slave trade route. The Dutch seized the fort from the Portuguese in 1637, and took over all the Portuguese Gold Coast in 1642. It changed ownership from the Portuguese to the Dutch and the British. A museum has been set up in the castle to educate the public on its history as well as to preserve the cultural heritage of the Central Region.

13/08/2018

OSU CASTLE
Christiansborg or Osu Castle is located on the coast of the Osu township, in Ghana’s capital Accra.
It was built by the Swedes in the 17th century. Its ownership changed to the Danes, Portuguese, back to the Danes again, Akwamu Chief Assameni, who sold the fort back to the Danes without keys. The Danes expanded it such that it quadrupled its original size. After the slave trade it was sold to the British who used it for their governors' office. It has been as seat of government by colonial governors, military rulers and presidents of Ghana.

13/08/2018

CAPE COAST CASTLE
Cabo Corso, meaning ‘short cape’, was the original name given by the Portuguese to their trade lodge built in 1555. Its corruption to ‘Cape Coast’ is now the accepted name of the whole city which is the capital of the Central Region of Ghana. The Swedes, however, were the initiators of the permanent structure presently known as Cape Coast Castle in 1653. Its location and sheltered beach were all forceful ‘pull factors’ for European nations to Cape Coast.

10/08/2018

NZULEZU: THE VILLAGE ON STILTS
One of Ghana's most famous tourist spots is Nzulezu. The village rests entirely on stilts and platforms. It is over 500 years old and overlooks Lake Tadane. It has a school, church and streets. Its beach is also a nesting and hatching place for endangered sea turtles. One can watch the hatchlings making their way to the sea in the evening.

10/08/2018

UMBRELLA ROCK
The Umbrella Rock, as the name means, is a rock found at the site of the Boti Falls in Yilo Krobo District, Ghana. Its size is well okay to shelter up to 15 people at once. Even though the pivot on which the top rock lies might seem small, it is very strong. It is about 20 feet tall from its base with a narrow midsection.

04/08/2018

KWAME NKRUMAH MAUSOLEUM
The Mausoleum is the final resting place of Dr Kwame Nkrumah, the first President of Ghana. He was buried in his place of birth initially. The Mausoleum stands at a place where Dr Kwame Nkrumah declared the independence of Ghana. It was formerly called the Old Polo Ground.

01/08/2018

THE COAT OF ARMS
The Ghana Coat of Arms is composed of a shield, divided into four quarters by a green St. George’s Cross, rimmed with gold. The following are the symbols in the quarters and their meaning.

CROSSED LINGUISTS’ STAFF AND CEREMONIAL SWORD ON A BLUE BACKGROUND

Position: Top left-hand quarter. Represents Local Administration

A HERALDIC CASTLE ON A HERALDIC SEA WITH A LIGHT BACKGROUND.
Position: Top right-hand quarter. Represents National Government.

A COCOA TREE
Position: Bottom left-hand quarter.
Represents the agricultural wealth of the country

A MINE SHAFT
Position: Bottom right-hand quarter.
Represents the mineral wealth of the country

A GOLD LION
Position: In the centre of the Green St George’s Cross
Represents the continuing link between Ghana and the Commonwealth

BLACK FIVE-POINTED STAR RIMMED WITH GOLD STANDING ON THE WREATH OF RED, GOLD AND GREEN COLOURS
Position: On top of the shield.
Represents the lone star of African Freedom

TWO EAGLES, AROUND EACH OF WHOSE NECK HANGS A BLACK STAR SUSPENDED FROM A RIBBON OF GHANA’S COLOURS - RED, GOLD AND GREEN

Position: Supporting the shield on the left and right hand sides. Signifies a protector with strength, very clear and attentive eyes keeping watch over the country.

The motto FREEDOM AND JUSTICE is found under the shield. It represents national aspirations.

01/08/2018

THE FLAG
The Ghana flag was designed to replace the flag of the United Kingdom upon attainment of independence in 1957. It consists of the Pan-African colours of red, gold, and green, in horizontal stripes, with a black five-pointed star in the centre of the gold stripe.
Meaning
Red represents the blood of those who died in the country's struggle for independence
Gold represents the mineral wealth of the country
Green symbolizes the country's rich forests and natural wealth
Black Star Symbolizes African unity and emancipation.