General info about Ghana (Ghana)

Member Name: bellfountain

Product:	Ghana
Date:	13/07/08 (98 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Friendly people and lots of new experiences

Disadvantages: Dust, sweat and bargaining

In my mind Ghana is the best, friendliest and most interesting country in West Africa and I urge you all to go!!

I lived in Ghana for 3 years as a VSO volunteer and truely had the most life fufilling experience. The country is hot, dusty and can be very sweaty but all of that is more than compensated by the fabulous people who greet you and want to help you everywhere you go! White people are still a novelty - particularly the further North you go and you will quickly learn the local word for "white" - by the end of my trip I was more used to being called "Nasala" (Daagare) then my name!!

The country can be difficult to navigate - particularly if you are in a rush so I highly recommend you change your body clock to "Ghana Time". Buses that are due to leave at 6am often keep loading til 10am... then take 4 extra hours to arrive... but that is part of the charm! Take time to talk to people (you often won't be able to prevent people thrusting their 3rd child onto your knee anyway) so you might as well enjoy it!

The other major issue is always bargaining - try to keep an open mind and only really bargain if you are genuinely interested. Although no one likes to feel "ripped off" try to see the biger picture too... things are worth what you are prepared to pay and if you pay it that's your choice. Most Ghanaians (apart from possibly the tourist traps) aren't out to fleece you - they are just looking for the best price they can get to improve their own situation. And although I would never advocate Westerners randomly flinging cash at children - perhaps paying a few too many cedi's to a market stall holder won't kill you!!!

All in all I would strongly recomend opening your travel adgenda and taking a trip to Ghana. And when it all gets a bit much book in a few days at Big Millies Backyard, Kokrobite to really chill and enjoy the fabulous hospitality!!!!

Summary: A general summary about a wonderful country... go!