"Must-see" Ghana

I have had an extensive list of "must-see" places running through my head for months, so I've decided it's time to sit down and run through it and this blog seems like an appropriate place.

In and around Accra:

Independence Arch and the memorial for the unknown soldier.

Makola Market, where I will surely embarrass myself haggling over prices. Supposedly it's one of the best places to visit on the entire continent.

The Du Bois Memorial Center for Pan-Africa Culture, the gravesite of W.E.B. DuBois, who spent his final years in Ghana.

The National Museum - known as the best collection of African art in West Africa.

The Centre for National Culture - arts and culture center, known to be a bit of a tourist-trap but is also a major hub for tourists, with a wide variety of services available there.

Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park - dedicated to the first democratic president of Ghana, this park has some beautiful architecture.

Central Ghana:

Kakum National Park - walking tours of the rainforest and environmental education sites. The famed canopy walkway is located here.

Elmina Castle & Cape Coast Castle - European-constructed "castles" built in the 1400s & 1600s, respectively.

Eastern Ghana and the Volta Region:

Aburi Botanical Gardens - over 100 years old, they offer bikes for rent and walking tours of the park and surrounding forest.

Lake Volta & Akosombo Dam - there is a "cruise" available from the south end of the lake all the way to the north end that I want to take.

Boti Falls - twin falls supposedly at their best during the time I will be there.

Atewa-Atwirebu Butterfly Sanctuary - home of some of the largest "flutter-bys" in the world

Cocoa farms - several large farms in this area of the country, most offer some kind of tour.

Mount Afadjato, Tagbo Falls, & Liati Wote - on the border with Togo, some of the most beautiful sights in Ghana sit next to the craft village of Liati Wote.

Wli Falls and the Agumatsa Wildlife Sanctuary - in addition to the nature sights, there is also an ostrich farm in the Wli area that sounds like a lot of fun.

Tafi Atome Monkey Sanctuary - monkeys! Need I say anything else!

Talking River - a river that talks? I'm in!

Ashanti Region:

Lake Bosomtwi - a meteorite-created crater lake surrounded by dozens of fishing and farming villages.

Kumasi - So much to see! The beads of Dabaa, the brass works of Krofrom, the Kente weaving village of Bonwire, the wood carving village of Ahwiaa, and the handmade-pottery of Pankronu. Not to mention Kumasi Central Market, the Cultural Center, and Museum.

Northern Ghana:

The Wechiau Hippo Sanctuary - river safari to see the hippos of the Black Volta. Crocodiles are also a common site here.

Larabanga Mosque - very unique architecture.

Bolgatonga - home to crocodiles and migrating elephants

Other:

Since I'll be so close to the border, I hope to visit Togo while in the area. Specifically, Lome the capital.