By Chigozie Chukwuemeka
The warm sun hit my face as I stepped out of Accra City Hotel, into the double decker bus provided by Ghana Tourism Authority, to join other delegates from The Gambia, Senegal, Nigeria on the tour of Accra. I could already feel the electric mix of tradition, innovation, and unshakable African pride in the air.
This year’s Famtrip was more than a journey. It was a narrative. A journey through the corridors of Ghana’s past, present, and promising future in tourism. Curated by the team behind Accra Weizo and supported by Ghana Tourism Authority, the trip brought together travel professionals, media, tour operators, and bloggers from across West Africa and beyond.
Our adventure began by visiting the famous Jamestown Lighthouse. Rising stoically above the rugged coastline of Ghana’s capital, the Jamestown Lighthouse stands not only as a beacon for ships but as a symbol of Accra’s layered past — a past where colonial history, indigenous resilience, and modern urban culture intersect. Located in Jamestown, one of the oldest districts of Accra, the lighthouse overlooks the Gulf of Guinea and offers panoramic views of the bustling fishing harbor, colonial-era buildings, and the tightly woven fabric of a community steeped in tradition.
According to the tour guide, the current lighthouse standing 28 meters tall, was constructed in the 1930s by the British to replace an earlier version built in 1871. It was part of the colonial efforts to aid maritime navigation along the West African coast. With its red-and-white painted tower and spiral staircase of 99 steps.
Next stop was the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park. In the heart of Accra, where the hum of modern Ghana meets echoes of its revolutionary past, stands the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park — a serene, symbolic tribute to the man who led Ghana to independence and inspired a generation of Pan-African thinkers and freedom fighters. This national monument is more than a park; it is a sacred space of memory and pride, dedicated to Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first president and a towering figure in Africa’s post-colonial liberation movement. Originally inaugurated in 1992 on the site where Nkrumah declared Ghana’s independence on March 6, 1957, the park was extensively refurbished and reopened in July 2023, giving it a modern, immersive facelift while preserving its historical significance.
As we walked through walk the gates, we were met by bronze statues, tranquil fountains, and tree-lined walkways that guide you toward the iconic mausoleum. The sleek, marble structure — shaped like an upside-down sword, a symbol of peace in Akan culture — stands tall and dignified, guarding the final resting place of Nkrumah and his wife, Fathia Nkrumah. Adjacent to the mausoleum is the Kwame Nkrumah Museum, redesigned with interactive exhibits, archival footage, personal belongings, and historical photographs. Visitors gain insight into Nkrumah’s early life, political rise, and the challenges he faced in building a unified and sovereign Ghana.
With its lush lawns, modern water features, and improved facilities, the new memorial park is now among Ghana’s most visited landmarks, drawing thousands each year to engage with the legacy of a man who once proclaimed, “The independence of Ghana is meaningless unless it is linked up with the total liberation of Africa.” Did you know that Dr. Kwame Nkrumah was buried thrice?
After exploring the museum, our next port of call was the Independence Arch. It was built by the first president of Ghana, Kwame Nkrumah in 1961 for Queen Elizabeth II’s visit to Accra. The Arch represents Ghana’s struggle for Independence from imperial British rule. It also honors the fallen soldiers who died fighting for Ghana’s freedom. Beside the Independence Arch was the Black Star Square. The ‘Black Star’ represents freedom of all black people. It was inspired by Marcus Garvey’s shipping company, Black Star Line in 1919. Dr. Nkrumah added the black star to Ghana’s flag to honor Marcus Garvey and celebrate black people across the diaspora.
From there, we made a brief stop at the famous Mokola Market. Makola Market is the largest and most renowned market place and shopping district in the center of the city of Accra. A wide array of products is sold in the markets and its surrounding streets, from car parts to land snails. Dominated by women traders, the market sells fresh produce, manufactured and imported foods, clothes, shoes, tools, medicines and pots and pans. Its quite similar to Nigeria’s Balogun market.
Following all that adventure, our stomachs started to grumble. The final stop was the Sandbox Beach Club for have lunch. Located at South Labadi Estates, this beach club is a must for anyone wanting to experience a great day out or an evening. With a breath-taking view of the Atlantic Ocean, we were treated to different cuisine, from cocktails to jollof rice, to sauteed potatoes, grilled chicken, salad.
By the way, Nigerian jollof rice is still the best. I know some Gambians, Senegalese and Sierra Leoneans would disagree. Well, there is Akwaaba African Market coming up in September and there will be a jollof rice war, so let us settle it there.
