The Western Region of Ghana, adjoining the border with Cote d’Ivoire, presents a striking contrast between ancient and modern. Although one of the first areas to welcome early European traders and so now distinguished by the large number of castles and forts, the Region also boasts some of the oldest mines in the Country and our modern harbour and commercial centre at Takoradi. The Region includes also some of the most fertile land in Ghana, and the roads are lined with rubber and cocoa plantations and farms.
For the tourist, the forts and castles are a magnet, as they reflect the diversity of building styles that were employed by colonial traders. Of particular interest must be Fort Appolonia at Beyin, and Fort Metal Cross at Dixcove. Many of the castles overlook some of the best beaches in Ghana.
The Festival of ‘Kundum’ is celebrated from August of November by the Region’s coastal people, and moves from town to town every week. Traditional drumming and dancing feature prominently.
Because the Region is so fertile, farming is a major part of the people’s life. The larger farms are happy to welcome visitors (usually by prior arrangement), and on some, such as some of the cocoa farms, you can see the full operation from the growing of the crop to the harvesting and processing of the crop for market.
The Region was one of the earliest to mien for gold and other minerals, and several of the mines welcome visitors (by prior arrangement). Tarkwa is the centre of the Region’s mining industry.
The Western Region is the gateway to Ghana from Cote d’Ivoire, but is also a gateway into some of the most unspoilt attractions of West Africa. To discover the Western Region is to discover an area that reveals many of the diverse attractions of Ghana.
|
|
