Category: Africa

Top 3 Things I’m Looking Foward to in Zomba

June 1, 2018

Big news! I’ve recently accepted a new position that will be taking me to a new country and part of the world. I will be a working at Art and Global Health Center Africa as a Communications and Resource Mobilization Officer, as one half of a Global Health Corps fellow pair. Next month, I’ll be moving to Zomba, Malawi and per usual, I’ve done a bit of research about my soon to be new home. Here are three things I’m really looking forward to in Zomba.

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A Visit to Nzulezu; Western Ghana’s Stilt Village

April 13, 2018

The diversity of people in Ghana never ceases to amaze and inspire me. There are the proud Ashanti people whose great empire still echoes through today. Then there are the Ga who have shaped the culture around Accra. Up north, you can meet Fulani, a nomadic group of people who range across West Africa. In Western Region near the border with Ivory Coast, there is a small and unique village, Nzulezu, with its own people.

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What to Do with 18 Hours in Nairobi, Kenya

March 2, 2018

When it comes to flying between the African continent and any other there are a few major hub cities that you are likely to fly through. The two major African airlines are Ethiopian Airways, with its hub in Addis Ababa, and Kenyan Airways, with its hub in Nairobi. Should you find yourself with a long layover in Nairobi, you should know that there are a lot of really fun activities to do that are easily accessible throughout the city.

In 2016, I had an 18-hour layover in Nairobi, on my way from Ghana to Thailand, and here’s everything I did.

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Hiking in São Tomé’s Obô National Park

February 9, 2018

Of all the activities that I love to do when I’m traveling, hiking has to be near the top of the list. Getting to walk through the nature and natural beauty a destination has to offer can be a really special way to connect with a place. I try to incorporate hiking into all my travels.

When it comes to São Tomé and hiking, Obo National Park is the place to go. There are lot of different trails, all with varying degrees of difficulties and even an option for a multi-day trip.

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Facing the Slave Trade at Elmina Castle

January 12, 2018

Because of centuries of colonialism and the slave trade that came with it, Ghana has centuries of traumatic history. However, I believe that it is important to face that history and to learn about it, as a way to gain a fuller understanding of present situations and as a way to prevent atrocities in the future.

The former slave-trading castles in Ghana have all been declared UNESCO Heritage Sites. The two that are most frequented by visitors to Ghana are the Cape Coast Castle and Elmina Castle. Elmina Castle also has another interesting designation – it’s the first permanent European structure built in West Africa.

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A Safari in West Africa: Mole National Park

January 5, 2018

When people think of Africa, big animals are usually what comes to mind. Think the Lion King. Being able to see those kinds of animals are typically associated with East Africa. While West Africa has significantly lower populations of those big animals, and some are extinct in the region, there is still a great place in Ghana for a wildlife experience.

Mole National Park is the largest national park in Ghana and one of your best chances to experience wildlife in Ghana.

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Winneba’s Fancy Dress Festival Rings in New Year

January 2, 2018

On January 1 every year, Winneba hosts the Fancy Dress Festival. (In British English, costumes are commonly referred to as “Fancy Dress.”) A tradition that in a mix of Carnival and local flavor, the festival is a really fun way to kick off the new year.

In Winneba, there are different groups that compete against each other with different dance routines. At the festival, you’ll see hundreds of people dressed in masks and homemade costumes that have spent weeks working on their routines. It can be a long, exhausting day, but it’s a lot of fun to see the dancers, their costumes and the joy of the crowd.

Check out the pictures from this year’s festival!

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Buried in a Snake: Ghana’s Fantasy Coffins

December 22, 2017

Death is a part of life and every culture has its own rituals surrounding it. Some cultures dictate a quick ceremony and funeral rites while others allow for years. In Ghana, most funeral rites follow the major faiths of the country – either Christian or Islam. In the southern part of the country, most people are buried and cremation is almost unheard of. However, some people get what are called “fantasy coffins.”

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