Kwaning Travel and Crafts

When to visit
Ghana can be visited at any time of the year, but the northern hemisphere winter – from October through to April – is most comfortable thanks to lower humidity levels and less rainfall. This is also the best time of year for birdwatching, as resident species are supplemented by migrants from Europe and Northern Asia

What to wear
Conditions are generally hot, so bring lots of light clothing. A light jumper or sweatshirt might be useful to counter heavy sea breezes and slightly chiller nocturnal temperatures in the eastern highlands. Visitors ought to be sensitive to local dress codes and women should refrain from dressing too skimpily, except in the grounds of upmarket beach hotels. A hat, sunglasses and (during the rainy season) a waterproof jacket are recommended. The weather is mostly humid so it is advisable to bring along cotton clothing.

Getting about
Unusually for a former British territory, driving is on the right side, in keeping with the francophone countries that border Ghana. Several car rental companies operate out of Accra and Tema, but visitors without experience of African roads are advised to take a vehicle with a driver rather than self-drive. The State Transport Company (STC) runs regular luxury coach services connecting Accra to Cape Coast, Takoradi, Kumasi and Tamale and also offers services between most other major towns. Non-metered taxis are ubiquitous and inexpensive, but a fare should be agreed upfront.

Tipping
Tipping is not standard practice at local hotels and restaurants, but it will always be appreciated. It is normal to tip 5-10% at tourist-oriented restaurants. Guides and drivers should always be tipped.

Public holidays
Variable-date public holidays are , Easter Monday , Eid il Fitr and Eid il Adel.
Fixed-date public holidays are January 1 (New year’s Day), Good Friday, March 6 (Independence Day), May 1 (May Day), May 25 (Africa Unity Day), July 1 (Republic Day), 1st Friday in December (Farmers Day) and December 25/6 (Christmas/Boxing Day)

Arts and Crafts
Ghana is well known for its traditional crafts, in particular the colourfully patterned Kente cloth, which has been woven by Asante and Ewe people for hundreds of years. Dye-stained Adinkra cloth is also associated strongly with the Asante, who attribute different proverbs to each of 60 different Adinkra signs, and is often worn on funerals and other important occasions. Hand-spun Fugu cloth is a specialty in Bolgatanga and the village of Daboya, while wide straw hats and baskets are popular in the far north and east, and Sirigu in the north is an important centre of pottery. Craft stalls around the country also sell a wide selection of sculptures and masks made locally and in neighboring Cote d’Ivoire.

Hotels & Conferences
Accra has several world class hotels. Accommodation of an international standard is also available at popular beach destinations such as Ada Foah, Fetter, Cape Coast, Elmina, Busua and Axim, as well as in Kumasi, Ho, Tamale and most other regional administrative capitals. Budget hotels are available in most towns, in some national parks, and at most facilities. The Accra International Conference Centre seats up to 1000 people and several smaller venues have modern interpretation services and seat up to 150 people.

Eating out

Ghana boasts a wide selection of international restaurants, particularly in Accra and Kumasi, but adventurous visitors might also want to try the dishes served in ubiquitous local ‘chop bars’. Popular staples include Fufu, a pulped gooey ball of crushed cassava or yam that’s most often served submerged in a light soup, and Kenkey and Banku, both of which are made of fermented maize meal and usually served with tomato based relish. On more familiar terrain, fried yam sticks are the local equivalent of potato chips (also widely available), spicy beef kebabs, char-grilled Chiken, guinea fowl and tilapia are all popular bar staples, while Jollof rice is a common spicy dish comprised of rice cooked in a tomato sauce with read meat, fish of chicken.

Greetings
Greeting is an important social function that marks an open heart and mind. It also expresses one's concern for the other. Refusing or failing to greet another person may indicate that you do not care for the other's welfare.

Do not forget that the smile is also a form of greeting. Please make an effort to pick up some of our simple vernacular greeting forms and win our hearts over.