Ghana Isn't Just For Partying – 7 Things To Experience The Rich Ghanaian Culture Without A Nightclub In Sight

It’s a trip I’ll never forget, but I left not knowing much about Ghana or its people. So, when the opportunity to revisit Ghana with Intrepid (specifically cities outside of Accra) came up, I jumped at the chance.

Traveling to Ghana during December has become increasingly popular among the Black diaspora in recent years, thanks to the "Year of Return" initiative—the year marking 400 years since the first enslaved Africans arrived in the Americas. In 2019, the Ghanaian government created The Year of Return as a way to encourage the Black diaspora to visit Ghana.

Five hours away from Accra lies the Volta region, near the border of Togo. Though the journey was long, it allowed me to see how beautiful Ghana is. Eventually, we made our way to our home for the next two days: Tagbo Falls Lodge, also labelled as  'home away from home.' 

I wouldn't describe myself as someone who loves nature, but this trip, especially my time at Tagbo Falls Lodge, made me fall in love with it. Tagbo Falls Lodge is situated in the small village of Liati Wot, which is home to approximately 600 residents. It's perfect for those who want to take a hike, visit a mountain, or see the infamous waterfall.

Hailed as one of the tallest waterfalls in West Africa, Tagbo Falls. If you're not a fan of bats, this one isn't for you because there are plenty of them here. It's a 45-minute walk to get to the waterfall, but once you're there, you'll be mesmerized by the scenery. 

With stunning views, breathtaking greenery, and the sound of water running over the rocks, it's a great way to unwind and forget about the world's worries. 

We’re all aware of the transatlantic slave trade, but how many of us actually know what happened during that time? As I mentioned, I visited Elmina Castle during my trip to Ghana in 2018. I remember it being such a heavy visit. I thought going to the castle for the second time around would be easier, but the horrors of the slave trade really sank in during this visit. 

During the tour, a tour guide will show you through the castle and provide a brief history of the transatlantic slave trade. “The door of no return” was the most chilling part of the tour for me, as it was the last thing Africans would see before they were shipped to the Americas. It is not an easy visit by any means, but it is one that everyone should make once in their lifetime.

After spending a few days in Ghana, you'll notice something: Ghanaians love funerals. I lost count of the number of signs I saw highlighting the anniversary of someone's death or funeral. It's an odd concept to wrap your head around if you live in the West. 

Part of making sure you're ready for your funeral is making sure you have the swankiest coffin you can buy. We then visited Eric Kpakpo Adotey at Fantasy Coffin, where he showcased some of the extravagant coffins he had created. 

It's refreshing to see that, although death is a sad occasion, Ghanaians make sure to go out in style. Maybe, if you're lucky enough, Eric would design a coffin for you.

Everyone has different priorities when it comes to holidays. Some people want to relax, others want to party, and I can’t go abroad without visiting an exhibition or museum. So I was excited to visit the Artists Alliance Gallery to see the art created by Ghanaians. 

The gallery showcases paintings, fine pottery, sculptures, wall hangings, Kente cloth, masks, beads, and a diverse range of textiles. We were shown around by the gallery curator, who provided the historical context of the paintings and sculptures we saw. If you’re into art, this one is for you.

As a Londoner, the concept of going to a market at night doesn’t make sense to me. However, after visiting Osu Night Market, I’m now petitioning for all markets to be open at night. Think of Osu night market as a 24/7 food hall. It’s open all day and runs until the early hours of the morning. It's so popular that that some people visit the market for food after a night out.

We tasted fresh food, visited a bar, and spoke to the locals. It’s a great way to spend your evening after a long day.

One of the highlights of my trip, hands down, was the food. Being Congolese, most sub-Saharan African foods share similarities, so I wasn't a stranger to eating fufu or tilapia. As we walked through Jamestown, we picked up ingredients to make Kenkey and were taught how to prepare it. It wasn't easy, but the outcome was delicious.