THE TOP 6 AMAZING TOURIST ATTRACTIONS TO VISIT IN CENTRAL REGION, GHANA.

The Central Region is one of the 16 regions in Ghana. The region is also known for its many elites second-cycle schools and also the hub of education in the country. Unlike other regions, the central region can boast of many tourist sites visited by both local and foreign tourists. It has 2 of Ghana’s castles, that is Elmina castle and Cape Coast Castle. Again, the region has many beaches and beach resorts for those who enjoy sitting under coconut trees and enjoying the breeze late in the night on a boat cruise on the Elmina lagoon. You can not visit this region without touring at least one famous tourist site like Kakum, Assin Manso Ancestral Slave Market, and Fort St. Jago. Join me on a visual journey as I share with you THE TOP 6 AMAZING TOURIST ATTRACTIONS TO VISIT IN CENTRAL REGION, GHANA

CAPE COAST CASTLE

The castle was built in the year 1610 by the Swedish and opened in the year 1653 but it was captured by the Danes, and the Dutch and then the English took over in the 1660s. The castle served as a home for the colonial masters, to trade in slaves and to educate children born of female slaves for the masters. The ship came every 3 months to take the slaves who survived, they would be chained and marched through the door of no return onto the ships. Some ended up working on plantations and some did hard laboured jobs. The castle stands tall as a reminder of our gloomy past. It is one of the 3 Castles in Ghana. Our tour guide was very affluent and allowed visitors to ask questions. I enjoyed it Entry fee is 5 cedi per Ghanaian Adult and 50 cedis for non-Ghanaian adults. THE TOP 6 AMAZING TOURIST ATTRACTIONS TO VISIT IN CENTRAL REGION, GHANA.

ELMINA CASTLE

Built-in the year 1482 by the Portuguese, St. George of the Mine castle mine present day Elmina Castle came to be. Its first use was as a trad settlement and the first trading post built on the Gulf of Guinea. It later became an important route stop to the Atlantic slave trade. The port was seized from the Portuguese by the Dutch in 1637. The Dutch traded in gold and slaves during the slave trade era. The Elmina castle is the oldest European building in existence in the south Sahara. The castle is an important heritage site in Ghana and a UNESCO heritage site. On the 6th of April 1872, the castle was ceded to the British and served as a police recruit training centre, a secondary school and presently a historical museum. I had goosebumps after the tour and to make it realistic, our tour guide asked us to go into the male prison cells and locked the door for 20 seconds. The entry fee is 5 cedis per Ghanaian adult and 50 cedis per non-Ghanaian adult. THE TOP 6 AMAZING TOURIST ATTRACTIONS TO VISIT IN CENTRAL REGION, GHANA.

KAKUM NATIONAL PARK

The Kakum national park was established in the year 1931 as a forest reserve in the central region ad gazette as a national park in the year 1992. It is one of 3 locations in Africa with a canopy walk in the forest. The park covers an area of 375 square kilometres. The canopy walk is 350 meters long and connects seven tree tops with ropes which provide access to the forest. The park has notable endangered species of fauna that is the giant bongo antelope etc. it is also a famous location to bird watch and it is recognized by BirdLife International. My experience on the canopy walk was scary yet fulfilling. It is an hour’s walk with different levels of difficulty. Some levels have flat walkways and fewer winds whiles some have the opposite. At the park, you can do these activities, hiking, bird watching, tree house stay and canopy walk. There is an onsite restaurant and a souvenir market. The entry fee to the park is 2 cedis and the prices for activities differ. The canopy walk is 61 cedis per person. THE TOP 6 AMAZING TOURIST ATTRACTIONS TO VISIT IN CENTRAL REGION, GHANA.

ASSIN MANSO ANCESTRAL SLAVE RIVER

The slave river park was one of the largest slave markets for gathering people to sell and buy slaves during the era of the slave trade. It was the final link in the slavery route from northern Ghana and the largest slave market for merchants supplying slaves to the castles and forts to be sent off to work on agricultural plantations in Europe. Assin Manso served as the place where slaves had their last bath on their journey and after they returned View of Cape Coast Castle. You will see the Ancestral Graveyard, Memorial wall, and The Last Bath Area at the site. It was only at this site where slaves were properly fed and rested for several days and also had their baths. The merchants did this so they can put higher prices on them if they looked healthy and well rested. It is an emotional journey for tourists who visit this place. The entry fee for Ghanaian adults is 10 cedis per person and 20 cedis for non-Ghanaian adults. THE TOP 6 AMAZING TOURIST ATTRACTIONS TO VISIT IN CENTRAL REGION, GHANA.

INTERNATIONAL STINGLESS BEE CENTER.

Many get scared when they see bees and would be reluctant in visiting a bee sanctuary. That is not the case at this bee centre in Odumase in the central region. It is a sanctuary for stingless bees and eco-tourism. It is a 10-minute drive from Kakum national park on the cape coast road. The centre also serves as a research centre. At the centre, you can taste and buy delicious honey, see rare stingless bee species, and see the tiniest bee. The entry fee for Ghanaian adults is 30 cedi and 40 cedis for non-Ghanaian adults. THE TOP 6 AMAZING TOURIST ATTRACTIONS TO VISIT IN CENTRAL REGION, GHANA.

KOTOKURABA MARKET.

The kotokuraba Market is one of the famous markets in the country located in the central region, Cape Coast. It is the largest market on the Cape coast. The central region happens to be the tourism hub of the country, the market is the economic hub of the region. The market has many stalls and shops located it. At the premises, you will get busses to any part of town thanks to the transport yard on site. Many tourists visit there to shop and to have a feel of the local people in the region, maybe they can pick a few local words up. THE TOP 6 AMAZING TOURIST ATTRACTIONS TO VISIT IN CENTRAL REGION, GHANA.

The central region has a lot to offer aside from UNESCO Heritage sites and the beach. It has many beautiful cultural troupes and festivals to offer. The Aboakyere Festival, the Fetu Afahye, The Bakatue and many more. These festivals bring out the colourful side of the region and the togetherness of its people. You can plan a trip there in December and witness the fancy dressing parade. Do not forget to leave your comment under each article