Solid Rock Executive Travel & Tours

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS OF GREATER-ACCRA REGION

Greater Accra Region is the gateway to Ghana and home to our vibrant capital city. It is the smallest region but the most densely populated and contains the two great metropolitan areas of Accra and Tema, the country’s major industrial and commercial centres. The Kotoka International Airport is about 12km from the center of the city.

The city of Accra has been the county’s capital since 1877. It contains a wide variety of public buildings from the 19th century to modern times. Accra is spread along the Atlantic coast. It has a number of museums, numerous hotels, excellent restaurants, public monuments, extensive clean beaches, modern businesses and commercial areas as well as busy markets.

Below are some of the highlights of Accra:

1. Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum

This is the final resting place of the late Dr Kwame Nkrumah, the famous pan-African leader and first president of Ghana. He was originally buried in his home village Nkroful in the Western Region. But the remains have finally been moved to this mausoleum in Accra by ex-president of Ghana, Flight-Lieutenant Jerry John Rawlings

2. The National Museum

This museum houses the historical treasures of Ghana reflecting the heritage of Ghana from prehistoric era to modern times.

3. Independence Square

This is the venue for national celebrations. Two of the prominent features are the independence arch and the Unknown Soldier.

4. Accra International Conference Centre

This is a modern building with extraordinary architecture. It has a 1600-seater plenary hall, which has been the venue for a lot of the important national and international conferences and summits such as those of the Organization of African Unity as well as the Economic Community of West African States. It also hosts some of the international tourism fairs.

5. Du Bois Memorial Center for Pan African Culture

This is the burial place of this great African American scholar and his wife. It now houses a research library on African affairs and a gallery of manuscripts.

6. Accra Zoo

This has a fascinating collection of birds and animals indigenous to Africa. Animal lovers and bird fanciers will love it.

7. Shai Resource Reserve

It is a conservation area demonstrating Ghana’s commitment to the preservation of the environment.

8. Ada

It is a popular resort area and a favourite base for water sports and game fishing

Some of the famous festivals in the region include:

1. Homowo Festival

The Homowo (Hooting at Hunger) Festival is celebrated by the people of Ga Traditional Area. It usually takes place in August-September. It is a very colourful event. A month before the celebrations, there is a ban on noise. A climax of the festival is that from 12-noon to 6pm,any woman no matter her status should accept a hug from a man on the festival street.

2. Asafotufiam

This is celebrated by the people of Ada on the first Saturday of August. It commemorates the victory of their warriors in previous battles and those who died on the battlefields. The historic event is re-enacted. There are also purification ceremonies, a durbar of chiefs and firing of musketry

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