Tourists

HISTORICAL GHANA

Formerly the Gold Coast, Ghana is a young republic which became independent from Britain on March 6. 1957, the first black African colony to achieve its independence. Ghana occupies the pinnacle spot in Pan-African history having hit the torch for African Emancipation and became home for famous Pan-Africanist such as W.E. B Du Bois and George Pad more. Dr. Kwame Nkrumah whose mausoleum adds to Accra"s landscape was Ghana"s first President.

European power struggle between the 15th and 19th centuries started with the Portuguese who built Elmina Castle in 1482. They were followed by the Dutch, Swedes, Danes, Prussians and the British looking for fortunes in gold and ivory.

This intense commercial rivalry ended with the growth of the tragic trade in silvery - all 42 European castles and fortifications were used as dungeons for the millions most of whom lost their lives or whose descendants compose the African diaspora today.

42 forts and castles including Elmina and Cape Coast Castles are recognised by UNESCO as the World No.I Heritage Monuments.
Sites of wars between the British and indigenous population especially the Ashanti peoples.

Ancient artistry in fabrics with the colourful and popular Ashanti Bonwire Kente Cloth now adopted as a focus of identity by many people of African descent the world over.

An antique collector"s haven for ancient terra cotta work. Traditional gold jewellery, Krobo beads, northern leather and straw product, woodcarving of Ahwiaa-Ashanti.

he practice of ancient herbal and alternative medicine side by side with orthodox medical practice throughout the country; herbariums preserve the ancient medical heritage.

Colourful traditional festivals full of pomp and pageantry with Chiefs and Queen Mothers riding on lushly gilded palanquins.

Colourful traditional open markets and lorry parks provide the sounds and sights of the African bazaar.

THE GHANA TOURIST BOARD

WHAT IS THE GHANA TOURIST BOARD

The Ghana Tourist Board was set up by Legislative Instrument (NRC Degree) 224 in 1973. It is the sole government agency set up to implement government’s tourism policies. It is purely a Research, Marketing and regulatory body under the Ministry of Tourism and Diaspora Relations

FUNTIONS OF THE BOARD

- The implementation of policy and co-ordination of activities on tourism.

- The regulation of tourism enterprises namely; accommodation, catering, travel, transport and charter operation through registration, inspection, classification and enforcement of decisions.

- The promotion and Marketing of tourism, both in Ghana and outside Ghana, including the publication of brochures; posters, publication and participation in fairs and exhibition

- Research and studies on trends in the tourist industry both at home and abroad to aid decision and policy making

- Promoting the development of tourism facilities.

- Carrying out any function that may be conferred or imposed on the Board by the legislative instrument setting up the Board.

MISSION OF GHANA TOURIST BOARD

The mission of the Ghana Tourist Board is to ensure sustainable Tourism development through the creation of an enabling environment for the provision of tourism and services for the traveling public with a well qualified, highly motivated workforce and thereby promoting tourism to become the leading sector of the economy.

VISION OF GHANA TOURIST BOARD

To see Ghana become the TOURISM CAPITAL of West Africa especially in culture, heritage, ecotourism as well as conference tourism in a quality non-mass manner.

DIVISIONS WITHIN GHANA TOURIST BBOARD

MARKETING

- Promoting Ghana as a tourist destination and promoting the tourism industry in overseas, regional and domestic markets.
- Promoting Awareness in Ghana of the benefits of tourism.
- Developing Marketing Initiatives within the tourism industry.
- Regulates, registers and licence Tour Operators, Chartered Flights and Car Hire Agencies under Legislative Instrument 1293 and 1050 respectively.

RESEARCH AND PLANNING

- Carrying out research in the tourism industry in order to:
• Segment the market to guide the marketing personnel in their operations.
• Provide Information on Market Trends for strategic and effective marketing.
• Maintain a tourism Database.

- Guiding investors and developers in their project documentation to ensure sustainable development of Tourism.

- Carry out studies to determine low impact tourism against mass tourism.

- Provide extension services to investors including appraisals and sourcing for funding among others.

QUALITY ASSURANCE

- Inspects, classifies, licences, regulates and registers accommodation and Catering enterprises as specified under Legislative Instrument 1205. These include Hotels, Guest Houses, Motels, Lodgings, Restaurants, fast Food Joints, Drinking Bars and Chop Bars among others.

HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT & TRAINNIG

- Promoting high standards in the tourism industry through establishment of standards, training and human resources development.

- Helping in Capacity building in both the public and private sectors of the industry.

PUBLIC RELATIONS

- Ensure the free flow of information between the Board and the general public.
- Evolve strategies and machinery for explaining and promoting public understanding of the activities of the Board.
- Print Publications on the activities of the Board / Industry for the public, specified agencies
- Monitor the print and electronic media on public opinion concerning activities of the Board / Industry.

SOME FESTIVALS IN GHANA

One of the most attractive aspects of the Ghanaian culture is the colorful traditional festivals and durbars which are held yearly in all parts of the country. These festivals reveal some common features and beliefs of our society. Through the festivals, the people remember their ancestors and ask for their protection. Festivals are also held in order to purify the whole state so that people can enter the New Year with confidence and hope. Below are some major festivals to which you are invited.

A Description of a few of the major festivals in Ghana:

DIPO (Puberty Rites)
A puberty festival to initiate young girls into womanhood with
a parade in attire close to nudity. Held in Krobo land, 50 miles east of Accra. April.

ABOAKYIR (Deer hunting)
A hunting expedition by two Asafo groups to catch live antelope. The first group to present its catch to the Chief at a colorful durbar is declared winner and is highly regarded for bravery. Winneba, 17 miles west of Accra. May.

BAKATUE (Fish Harvesting)
A royal procession of chiefs and stool holders riding in palanquins through principal streets to a sacred shrine where chiefs pour libation and sprinkle sacred food. Pouring of mashed yam and eggs into the Bake (lagoon), followed by scooping with a net, after which permission is given to fishermen to open the fishing season, after a ban. Festival culminates in a regatta. Edina/Elmina, 99 miles west of Accra. July.

FETU AFAHYE (Harvest commemorating first contact with whites)
A colorful procession of chiefs, amid drumming, dancing and firing of musketry. There is a uniqueness in the attire. Sacrifice of a cow to the seventy-seven (77) gods of Oguaa. Cape Coast (Oguaa), 90 miles west of Accra. August/September.

HOMOWO (Harvest/Thanksgiving)
Ceremonies for this festival include a procession of chiefs through principal streets with all twins in the area dressed purposely for the occasion. All this is done amidst the sprinkling of festive food kpokpoi to the gods and ancestors of the state. Accra/Ga Traditional Area. August/September.

ODWIRA (Harvest/Thanksgiving)
This festival dramatizes the tradition myths and legends of the people, and commemorates a period of remembrance and thanksgiving to the gods for their mercies in the past year, and renewal of family and societies. A durbar of chiefs crowns the celebration amidst drumming and dancing. Akropong Traditional Area, 90 miles north of Accra. September.

DAMBA
Originally linked with the birth of Mohammed, the Prophet of Allah. This festival has assumed a traditional character A two-day festival full of pageantry, showmanship and horse riding. Tamale/Yendi, 425 miles north of Accra. September/October.

HOGBETSOTSO
Symbolizes the migration of Anlos from the tyrannical ruler of Notsie in older day Togoland to their present homeland in Ghana. There is a re-enactment of this migration, which involved walking backwards, performed by women, children, the old and the young alike. Anlo Traditional Area, 88 miles east of Accra. November.

FIOK (War festival)
A war festival to re-enact ancient historic exploits of the Busa people. There is a durbar, as well as drumming, dancing, and thanksgiving to the gods. Sandema. December.

ADAE (festival of Purifying of the Ashantis’ ancestral stools)
Festival of the Asante. Celebrated every 40th day. Especially magnificent when it falls on a Sunday. Kumasi, 168 miles (272 kilometers) north of Accra.

HERITAGE SIGHTS IN GHANA

Ministry of Tourism Website
Ghana Hotels
E-Ghana
Akwaaba Tours
Land Tours
Ghana Mart Plaza
National Parks and Games
Ghana Wildlife Society

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