Listed by National Geographic as one of the world’s most thrilling hikes, Kakum National Park is truly a delight and worth a visit if you’re in Ghana.
Walking in the Trees of Kakum National Park
August 5, 2016
Category: World Wanderings
When I was young, I was bit by the travel bug. Since then, I’ve been extremely fortunate to have the ability to not only travel to numerous countries around the world, but also live in foreign countries. These posts include stories about my travels, cultural differences and travel tips.
Kantanka: Ghana’s First Car Company
July 29, 2016
The international image of Africa is often one of extremes: extreme poverty, extreme conflicts, extreme animals. But these stories overlook some of the more nuanced versions of things happening here, particularly the tech and innovations coming from Africans for Africans. With that in mind, I’d like to introduce you to the Kantanka manufacturing company.
4 Staple Starches of Ghanaian Cuisine
July 22, 2016
One thing that most cultures have is a staple food — something that is eaten with every meal. In many Asian countries, including Thailand, it’s rice. In Ghana, there are a couple of different versions of the staple, but they are all essentially a pounded starch mixed with a bit of water to make a kind of dough that is then dipped or dunked in soups and sauces or pinched with fish and meat.
All About Ghana’s Republic Day
July 1, 2016
This weekend is a three-day weekend, and not because of July 4th, America’s Independence Day. Here in Ghana, today is Republic Day, which is separate and different from Ghana’s Independence Day (March 6).
On this day, in 1960, Kwame Nkrumah was inaugurated as the first president of the first independent Black African nation. But it took some time to get to that point.
Aboakyer: the Deer Hunting Festival of Winneba
June 10, 2016
Every year, the first weekend of May, my city’s population of 70,000 swells, the restaurants get a fresh coat of paint and temporarily expand, and the tents go up for impromptu, mobile shops to sell whatever it is they have as inventory. It the weekend of the Aboakyer (pronounced uh-BAW-chay) festival in Winneba, and it is definitely a raucously good time.
Getting Married on Ghana Time: a Ghanaian Wedding
April 12, 2016
“Ten a.m. And actually at ten, not Ghana time,” Pomaa said. “Because it is at the Catholic church and they are on time.”
Pomaa’s brother was getting married in Accra and she had invited us to attend, and I was very excited to go. It was time to nail down the details, in order to arrange everything.
“It’s at the Catholic church by the post office, Martyrs of Uganda, and it will be a joint wedding with his best friend. And he is a military man, so I think that maybe it might even be early,” she continued. “The colors of the wedding are red, gold and white. Can wear whatever, but Ghanaians try to match the colors. I’m going to be wearing red and white.”
After figuring out some of the travel details with my roommate and predecessor, all that was left was for Saturday to arrive.
West Africa’s Famous Dish, Jollof Rice: a Recipe
April 8, 2016
Last weekend, two of my new co-workers came over to the house, which I currently share with the woman who I am replacing, and the four of us took part in a time-honored, cross-cultural tradition of sharing food and recipes.
We taught each other how to make a couple of dishes that we enjoyed from our respective cultures and I got to know a couple of the people that I will be working with in a more informal setting, which was really nice.
4 Lessons Learned Very Quickly for Life in Ghana
April 5, 2016
Every place has it’s own small nuances to it that pervade everyday life. People who are local to that culture are able to navigate these nuances with no thought paid to them; that is just the way things are.
But when you come as an outsider to a new place, particularly a new country, these small nuances are things that you pick up on immediately and adopt, in order to make life go just a little bit smoother. I’ve been in Ghana for less than a week, and here are the things that I have picked up.
5 Articles I’m Reading to Prepare for Ghana
March 18, 2016
In my preparations for Ghana, I’ve been reading a variety of articles about Ghana, its people and its culture, which have all been fascinating and only heighten my excitement. Here are some of the best ones that I’ve read so far.
5 Things I’m Looking Forward to in Ghana
March 11, 2016
Big news for the path that I’m on: it’s taking me to Ghana for the next year! I’m very excited for this opportunity to live and work abroad, particularly because it means learning and living a new culture and a new perspective.
I’ve been reading about and researching this West African nation and I’ve narrowed down a few things that have really piqued my interest and that I’m particularly looking forward to learning and experiencing more thoroughly.