13 Unique Things To Do And Experience In Ghana
Visiting Ghana should not just be about visiting tourist sites. There is so much more Ghana has to offer and many experiences you can indulge in when visiting Ghana. Here are 13 of my favorite things to do in Ghana.
1. Wine Tasting
This experience is for all wine lovers who love good food as well. Explore wine-tasting experiences with Sai Wine and Cafe and learn to appreciate different wines. Wine tasting is a delightful journey into the world of wines, offering an experience that tickles the taste buds and warms the soul. Sai Wine and Cafe also offer customized experiences like Whisky Tasting, Food & Wine Pairing, Pop-Up Kitchen, Wine & Art, Art shows, Chocolate Tasting, Tea Tasting, and Ice Cream Tasting. Some wine tasting experiences are more suitable for groups so you can always reach out to see which works for you. I advise booking in advance if possible especially if you are going for a more customized experience.
2. Sip and Paint
One of my favorite things to do in Accra is the sip and paint experience organized by Mya Art Workshop. I had the most delightful time combining two of my favorite things - sipping wine (juice in my case) and getting creative with canvas painting! With gentle guidance from a talented instructor, even beginners like me felt inspired to create masterpieces. It is such a relaxing and enjoyable experience, filled with laughter, creativity, and, of course, plenty of delicious food as well. You get to take home your artwork as a cherished souvenir of a truly memorable day. If you're looking for a fun and unique way to unwind and meet new people, this is an experience I will recommend.
3. Movie Night at Movenpick Ambassador Hotel
If you are looking for romantic date ideas to do on a Saturday night, then movie night at the Movenpick Hotel Accra could be it. Instead of settling for a typical restaurant outing, you can enjoy a cozy and intimate evening in a charming open-air cinema in a garden setting. There are lounging chairs and you even get a blanket so you can get cozy. You can indulge in a bottle of wine or non-alcoholic drinks and a basket filled with delicious food. For all the single people out there, of course, you can still go with a friend or anyone you would like to enjoy this experience with.
4. Chocolate Making Experience
I love chocolate so of course, you can count me in for any experience or activity that involves chocolate. Delfi Ventures offers an amazing and informative chocolate-making experience. You get to shape, dip, and adorn your chocolates, each a unique expression of your creativity. The experience begins with a brief introduction about what cocoa entails and how important it is to Ghana. Then you go through the process of tempering which is one of the most important steps of the chocolate-making process. After, the tempered chocolate is transferred to molds and put in a fridge to cool and your chocolates are ready to eat.
5. Cooking Class Experience
If you are a foodie like me, then you know we always love to find unique tours and experiences that involve food when we are traveling. Taking a cooking class is one of my favorites as I get not only to eat the food, but also learn to make it from scratch. Cooking classes usually last for about 3 hours. You will be taken through each step in the cooking process with the help of a chef. You will learn to make some famous Ghanaian dishes like Jollof rice, banku, fufu and many others. You can also learn to make some Ghanaian local drinks like hibiscus juice and tiger nut juice. While you cook together, you will learn about the origins of dishes and the culture that surrounds them. One thing I love about cooking classes is that you get to learn all the different ways a dish can be prepared and you get to make it yourself. There is always something for everyone whether you are a vegetarian or non-vegetarian. If you love food, then don't miss out on this experience.
6. Bead Making Experience
In a vibrant workshop buzzing with creativity, I learned the art of crafting beads from scratch, using colorful glass. At Cedi Bead Factory, you get to make some beautiful beads from glass with the help of the instructor. You also get to learn about all the various types of beads and the importance of bead-making in Ghanaian culture.
Depending on what type of beads you will be making, the whole process can take between a few hours or two days. The process involves firing the bead at a high temperature, cooling it down and polishing the bead. Of course, you get to keep the finished bead you make.
7. Naming Ceremony
Discover a very important part of Ghanaian culture by participating in a traditional naming ceremony. This activity is one of the most highly recommended things to do in Ghana, especially for African Americans who want to reconnect with their roots. This ceremony takes you through the whole naming process and sheds light on its history and importance. For most ethnic groups and communities across Ghana and beyond, the day of a naming ceremony is the seventh day after the child is born. To begin the ceremony libation is poured to offer a drink to the gods and ancestors. The priest says a prayer asking blessings for all who are gathered, especially for the individual whom the naming ceremony is being held for. At the end of the ceremony, you receive a unique soul name that reflects your day of birth. You also get a naming certificate with your new name to make it official. The ceremony is paired with some drum and dance to celebrate and congratulate participants for their new name. This activity is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and I recommend taking it when you get the opportunity to visit Ghana.
8. Drum and Dance
If you know anything about Ghana, then you would know how drum and dance if at the heart of our culture. Every tribe in Ghana has a form of dance they perform on various occasions which is usually accompanied by the rhythmic beat of the drums. This is an activity I highly recommend. Global Mamas organizes some drum and dance lessons in Cape Coast. You can also always find an instructor in Accra. I usually like to organize drum and dance lessons for my groups on the beach or at night.
9. Mango Farm Experience
If you love food and mangoes, then this is one of the best things to do in Ghana. You can visit the mango farm and learn how Hendy Farms grows quality fresh and processed fruits for both Ghanaian and international markets. Hendy Farms harvests its delicious fruits and transforms tree-ripened mango fruits and hibiscus flowers into creative jams, honey and marinades made with other local Ghanaian ingredients. Their mango products don't have artificial preservatives or additives making all products vegan and gluten-free. If you are a group, you can also have a beautiful lunch set up for you on the farm with delicious food, some made from their mango products. I love mangoes and food so this experience is one of my favorite things to do in Ghana.
10. Batik Making Experience
Explore the rich tradition of African textiles by delving into the art of Batik printing, a cherished craft deeply rooted in Ghanaian culture and also serves as a major source of income for many people. Discover the magic of creating your unique batik designs as you select intricate patterns carved onto foams. The experience begins by picking your patterns carved on foams, then dipping the foams in melted wax to stamp the fabric creating various beautiful patterns. The stamped fabric is then immersed into a dye bath and then unwaxed in hot water, rinsed, and left to dry. You can pick different patterns and dye colors for your fabric. This experience typically lasts for about a few hours so it is something you can do in a day. You can fashion your finished fabric into clothing or exquisite home decor items.
11. Pottery Making Experience
One of the things to do in Ghana that I find relaxing is the pottery-making experience. Happy Art Academy offers a unique pottery class for anyone who loves arts and doesn't mind getting their hands dirty. Mr. Happy who is the instructor is very helpful and patient as making pottery for the first time can be a little bit of a challenge in the beginning but you eventually get a hang of it. You can make various things such as mugs, vases, bowls and many other ceramic items. Because the molded clay will have to be dried and fired before you get the end product, you will not be able to take your work back home on the same day. It usually takes between one to two weeks before you get the final product so I will only recommend this activity to people who are going to be in Ghana longer than two weeks.
12. Basket Weaving Experience
Basket Weaving is mostly popular in the Northern part of Ghana. Basket weaving is not only a form of art but also serves as a major source of income for many of the women in communities where baskets are woven. Because this is a handmade product and experience, it usually requires a lot of concentration and attention to detail. Bolga is one of the towns most known for basket weaving. Some institutions and instructors offer basket weaving experiences in Accra. Again you get to take home the basket you have woven after you are done.
13. Kente Weaving Experience
Kente is an asset to Ghanaian culture and originally began in a town called Bonwire in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. If you are looking to learn more about the culture of Ghana, this is one of the unique things to do in Ghana I will recommend. You can visit the Bonwire Kente Weaving Village if you have enough time to visit that region. If not, you can go to the Accra Arts and Craft Center and ask for the kente weaving shop where you will get to meet the instructor. You will learn about the history of kente, how it is woven, and you can even try your hands on weaving it. Because Kente weaving requires a lot of attention, skill and time, it might take days before a beginner can complete one stripe of kente. If you don’t have enough time to make your own, then you can still enjoy the experience, try your hands on it and of course, get some kente souvenirs for yourself. You can also always ask the instructor to customize a kente for you.
Most of these activities can be done as a solo traveler and as a group. You can also book to join a group class as well. When you visit Ghana, don't just tour Ghana, experience Ghana through these unique experiences the country has to offer. You can reach out to me anytime if you need more information on these activities or need assistance organizing one.
Hello, fellow adventurers! I'm Rashida, your not-so-typical travel guide. Join me for laughs, mishaps, and perhaps a questionable decision or two (because let's face it, those always make for the best stories). Learn More
