Welcome to my page, where I’m excited to share a collection of photos and videos from my recent adventure in Accra, Ghana. If you’re curious about my journey, check out my page titled “Traveled Alone to Africa for the First Time.“
Here’s a brief overview of my time in Ghana and my memorable experiences.
The Market Life in Accra
The market was bustling with activity. We had to wake up at 5 am to arrive at a decent hour but still faced traffic on the way there. Upon our arrival at 8 am, the market was already bustling with customers. As it was more of a flea market, vendors laid out their items on stands and on the street. It was essential to keep your bags close and secure. Though there were a few buildings to shop in, most of the market’s goods were sold outdoors. The area was vast, spanning multiple blocks and resembling a downtown district.
The Arcade was an absolute blast! I had so much fun. I got to try my hand at ping pong for the first time, followed by a thrilling ride in the go-carts. Lastly, we wrapped up the Arcade with a game of team basketball.
I visited multiple beaches across various cities in Ghana, and unfortunately, I cannot recall all of their names. Nevertheless, they were all located at a reasonable distance from one another.
It’s time to explore the great outdoors.
During our outing, I enjoyed visiting a beautiful botanic garden with a thrilling rope course. It allowed us to climb to the top of the trees and appreciate the stunning view from above. Later, we went to a zoo where most animals were caught in the wild. To end our day, we played a fun round of miniature golf outdoors.
Accra at night is full of excitement and adventure. We discovered the vibrant atmosphere of Labadi Beach, which Google says is the busiest beach on Ghana’s coast. We even checked out a popular lounge bar called Garage three times, where they served food, drinks, and Hookah. The dress code was strict, but the fun and liveliness of the atmosphere made it all worth it.
We also explored downtown, enjoying the sights and trying tasty street food. Along the way, we were fortunate to meet Baron Okai, the former Ghana Airways pilot who now owns Sotto Zerro Gelateria. We encountered street performers and vendors selling various wares and discovered that Ghana has casinos. The possibilities for adventure in Accra at night are endless.
Like many other countries, states, and cities, not everyone in Ghana has the privilege of owning a vehicle. Therefore, public transportation options such as taxis, buses, and shared rides are available. We even hopped on the back of a motorbike for our outdoor adventures, as shown in the above videos. Sharing the ride and splitting the fare with others is possible when taking a taxi. While I didn’t have the chance to use public buses, I did opt for a taxi, motorbike, and the ride-sharing service Bolt, which is comparable to Uber.
The City Of Ghana
Like any other place, Ghana has its urban, suburban, and rural communities along its streets, highways, and dirt roads. However, the driving experience in Ghana differed from what I was accustomed to, as I did not see any traffic lines on the streets. More cars were on the road than I was used to seeing, and it seemed like they created their lanes. Animals such as dogs and chickens roamed freely on the streets, while goats and other creatures were also seen wandering about.
The Strength
I want to express my admiration for the remarkable strength I witnessed in Ghana. The children’s bravery in catching crabs with their bare hands was astounding, especially since I was too scared to do so. This experience highlighted the importance of teaching courage to kids at a young age. Additionally, I was inspired by the women’s incredible physical strength as they effortlessly carried and balanced heavy loads on their heads.
During my trip to Ghana, I was fortunate enough to attend two traditional weddings – one for my friend and one for her mother. We first attended her mother’s wedding, where I was given my Ghanaian name, Naa Deyde, which translates to Princess Dai Dai. I had the pleasure of meeting the elders and older aunties of the family. Another day, my friend, her family, and I visited the Accra Metropolitan Assembly, where she received her marriage certificate. A few days after that, I attended my friend’s traditional wedding, which was held at a family home. We celebrated with dancing, laughter, and delicious food, and it’s customary for gifts to be given at these events.
While in Ghana, I noticed everything was cheaper than the US dollar. So, I decided to have my hair done during my stay. The first style I chose was braids that formed a ponytail. The cost was not significantly different from what I usually pay at home. I spent 230 Ghanian Cedi, which is approximately USD 40. The second hairstyle was Locs, done by EasyGoldBeautySalon, and I was pleased with them and the price I paid. It cost 350 GHC at that time, roughly USD 60.
My last day in Accra and my experience flying back to the States.
On my last day in Accra, I spent my time at the mall looking for last-minute souvenirs for my family. Since my flight was late, I had enough time to browse around. I also continued shopping for souvenirs at the airport. While there, I purchased a small bottle of Patron to drink on the way back.
When I arrived in New York City, I had to go through another TSA check and was forced to either check in the bottle or throw it away. I chose to drink it all. After that, I ate and took a nap by the gate. Unfortunately, I woke up ten minutes after my flight had already departed. So, I had to buy a train ticket to Pennsylvania and drive to BWI to retrieve my luggage. That was the worst part of my trip. However, I’m thankful to God for providing the necessary resources to handle everything.