Ghana travels 2023

 Ohh Ghana, how I enjoyed thee.

I had a great group of fellow traveller's to share your energy and friendliness.

thank you Ghana.

***

First time we added the Volta Region into our itinerary and it worked very well.

A peaceful night on tranquil Lake Volta was just the right contrast to busy, bustling Accra.

I am going to let pictures lead the story, join in for a look.

As it was for everyone, world over Covid was hard. So sad to miss a few friends' faces.

Under employment is a real issue- yet the bustle as people try to find business and work is admirable.

I have been reading about how trade and the difficulty of getting Fair Prices for goods plays a big role in the economic difficulties as well as a trend to believe that imports are better than locally made. I really enjoy following the Ghana Food Movement and a Cocoa grower [grrr, I have forgotten her tag] on Instagram and find them inspiring.

Excited to come across a Tei Huagie sculpture on a roadway in Accra.

The Arts Scene in Ghana is exceptional.

Red Clay Studio at Tamale is an outstanding place- the vision of  Ibrahim Mahama, it has a magical quality, so thought provoking.

One of those places you will really appreciate experiencing.

Now for a collection of images- in the order they pop up.... I labelled them and the timeline then scrambled- haha.

I could tell you I planned it this way- places and experiences as they come to mind, just as you would recall a trip - but I had a little 'help'

lost wax bronze casting near Kumasi, the Ashanti Homeland

The leather village outside Tamale- beautiful soft leathers in the most amazing colours

Serene, stunning Lake Volta, what a place to stay

Our King and Queen in the Kente Village- Ashanti region

Crossing the Black Volta River to the indigo village

We were on fire, raiding this tailors offcuts box- such fun

Batik at my mate Esther's place always makes our guests smile- big time. 

We were privileged to visit a Fante Shrine, be introduced to the leaders and the Queen Mother of the Troupe and view their flags

Beautiful Elmina, and the view from our Hill top Hotel.

I love the way a useful resource like a road is mutli-functional- great place to dry chilli.

The weaving market, we did not have any luck meeting the weavers this time- some event the group had to attend. OH well.

Adinkra- Talking Cloth in Ashanti Region

The good thing about knowing your way around is that you have an idea of where you might find something interesting. Generally on the drive to the indigo village if I keep my eyes peeled I will spot a Chop Bar [roadside café] pounding Fufu for their menu. 

Every time they have been kind of amazed to see our bus stop and all these foreigners pile out, but we have been welcomed. 

The woman running this joint was quick to harness the labour and have our girls pounding the fufu.

Fun times

Spotted a lot more weaving sheds and women being trained to weave. A lot more people wearing traditional Smocks too

This guy was lovely and let us rummage for ages- happy to show us each and every piece of his stock as many times as we wanted to look.

The Shea Butter Co-operative.

there is so much work that goes into producing the amazing shea butter.

So many people turned out to check us out, fair enough, we were there to check them out too. Lots of hellos and smiles.

Upcycled glass beads- how many is enough?

I think the answer might be Never Enough

😜

The Door of No return- Cape Coast Castle.

This is a sad/ harrowing/ deplorable story.... it has to be told.

Thomas did a great job, pointing out the importance of the place and story is to acknowledge the slave trade and its ramifications and make sure it does not happen again.

Ghana is a wonderful place with a bright future.

They have found strength in Truth telling and work to create a future for their country.

The Chale Wate Festival used the hashtag #magenettomotherland

LOVE IT.

The 2024 tour will be same, same and Oh so different- we made a few new connections to squeeze in.... each group creates its own special feel.

The world is an evolving place.