Many people want to know why some foreigners, especially those from the developed world, travel to Ghana. Ghana does not receive more visitors from the developed world than a number of African countries, but it does receive a fair share. Why do they visit Ghana?
To Visit the Land of Their Ancestors
As the popular saying goes, “no matter where you find yourself, so long as you are black, you are an African”. Many people of African descent want to know what Africa is like. They want to know about their history.
For such people, Ghana is not a bad destination at all. Aside the fact that Ghana is an African country, Ghana hosts the W. E. B. Du Bois Memorial Center dedicated to the promotion of pan-Africanism. If you are wondering what pan-Africanism is, it is a worldwide movement that aims to encourage and strengthen bonds of solidarity between all indigenous and diaspora ethnic groups of African descent.
Many people in the Americas trace their ancestry to Ghana. Their ancestors, who were once kings and queens in Africa, who were captured during inter-ethnic wars, were shipped of as slaves to the Americas. Ghana has 3 major colonial castles, and more than 10 forts along its coast. Slaves were shipped from these locations. While on a visit to Ghana you can visit one of the them and learn about the history of the slave trade.
In order to learn more about Ghana, you must also make it a point to visit Okyehene (King of Akyem’s) palace at Kyebi in the Eastern Region, and also Asantehene’s (King of Ashanti) palace and museum at Manhyia in Kumasi in the Ashanti region.
To Pay Tribute to Kwame Nkrumah
Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, the first president of Ghana, was voted the greatest African of the last millennium. He inspired many through his speeches and books which called for African Unity and the end to colonial rule. Nkrumah said that above all, his greatest achievement was that he boosted the self-esteem of the African, and made the black man proud of his heritage.
Many come to Ghana to visit his grave and to learn about him. A mausoleum has been built for him. In the mausoleum you would find buried Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and his Egyptian wife Fathia Ritz Nkrumah. Like an Egyptian Pharaoh Nkrumah’s body has been preserved. You can pay to see it.
To Obtain A Degree in African Studies
Many people want to learn more about Africa. They want to learn more about African culture, African languages, African music, African choreography, African cuisine, and African history. For such people, one of the best places to study is the School of African Studies of the University of Ghana.
To Study African Herbal Medicine
It might surprise you to know that many drugs in use today were developed by studying the practices of many indigenous tribes on earth. Metformin, for example, was obtained from a lethal herb used to poison tips of arrows and spears by an Indian tribe in the Amazon forest. Researchers found that minute doses of this drug could cure diabetes.
Before Europeans came to Africa, Africans had their own way of treating diseases. Crude as it appeared, some were very effective. Although, today western medicine is preferred some still resort to these herbs. Researchers come to Ghana to study African traditional herbal medicine, hoping to discover some new drugs and active ingredients.
To Bid For Government Contracts
Ghanaians are unable to do several things; a far cry from what Nkrumah wanted Africa to be. Each year the government of Ghana awards contracts to many foreign firms such as the construction of roads and dams. Many foreigners come to Ghana hoping to secure some of the contracts.
To Attend International Conferences
Ghana is a member of the United Nations, the African Union, the Non-Aligned Movement, and is also a signatory to many international conventions. Ghana has been hosting a number of international conferences. Aside this, Ghanaians are very religious; they organize several religious conferences each year. Foreigners come to Ghana to attend these conferences.
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Credit: Yaw Boakye-Yiadom
The Ghanaian Mask 