Ghana
History
Portuguese traders built Elmina Castle, the first European fort in the tropics.
The Asante empire dominated the interior from Kumasi.
Britain established the Gold Coast colony after a series of Anglo-Asante wars.
Independence came on 6 March, the first in sub-Saharan Africa, under Kwame Nkrumah.
A new constitution restored multi-party rule after military governments.
Part ofAfricaMore countries, cities and routes.Short facts
RegionWest Africa
LanguageEnglish
Time zoneGMT (UTC+0)
Drives onRight
Worth seeing
- Cape Coast and Elmina castles: Slave-trade forts on the Atlantic, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
- Kumasi: The Asante capital, with the Manhyia Palace and the Kejetia market.
- Mole National Park: Northern savannah park where elephants come to the waterholes.
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AccraPlanning questions
What is Ghana known for?Cape Coast and Elmina castles, Kumasi, Mole National Park.
What is the capital?Accra.
Which language is useful?English.
When is the national day?6 March.
How should I browse it here?Start with the facts, jump to linked cities, then check events and topics.
Upcoming events
Use Accra as the first planning anchor for Ghana, then compare the city, food and worth-seeing notes on this page.
Food & drink
Street food
CoffeeKnown for
Cape Coast and Elmina castlesKumasiMole National ParkAccraStreet foodCoffee
Music & Culture