The Central Region is the
former government centre of the Gold Coast. Cape Coast was the seat
of the British colonial administration up until 1877. The coastline
is famous for its ancient forts and castles built by early European
traders, and three of them at Elmina, St Jago and Cape Coast have
been identified as World Heritage Monuments by the World Heritage
Foundation under UNESCO.
The region is also famous for its palm-fringed beaches, fascinating
fishing villages, historic towns and rich natural attractions. Almost
untouched virgin rainforest has been preserved as a habitat for
birds, butterflies and rare local animals, and Kakum is most accessible
as it is very easy to reach from Accra.
The historic towns in the region that deserve a visit include Winneba,
traditionally known as 'Simpa' Winneba; Kromantse/Abanze, the site
of Fort Amsterdam; Duakwa and Mensa Krom, home of some of the region's
best woodcarvers: Ajumako Oware where the carvers specialise in
royal regalia, stools, linguistic staffs and clan totems.
Throughout the Central Region there are welcoming hotels and restaurants,
all an easy drive from Accra. If you are seeking to discover the
historical links between Africa and the Americans and Europe, or
just wanting to explore a culture that has its roots in another
era, or just wanting to relax on a sun- dappled beach, then the
Central Region must not be missed.
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Attractions
& Excursions in the Central Region
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The Castles of Ghana
The castles along the coast of the Central Region are amongst
the best preserved in Ghana. Not to be missed are Cape Coast Castle,
Elmina Castle and fort St Jago. Local highlights include:
- Castle tours, including slave
dungeons
- Walking tours of Elmina
- The 19th century Dutch Cemetery
- The Fisherman's market
- Posuban Shrines
- The Cape Coast Castle Museum
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Kakum National Park
A 357km2 national park comprising undisturbed virgin rainforest.
Excellent walking tours (and a canopy walkway) through the forest
provide the opportunity to see much of Ghana's indigenous plant
life, as well as rare butterflies, birds and game (that could
include the extraordinary bongo and forest elephant). Highlights
include:
- Forest walks
- Treetop canopy walkway
- Bird watching
- Medicinal plants
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The beaches of the Central
Region
Beach lovers will enjoy our plant-fringed beaches, warmed by
African sunshine, where the surf ranges from gentle rollers to
sizeable breakers. Popular spots are:
Traditional Fishing Villages
Along the coast of the Central Region are a succession of busy
fishing villages and traditional market towns that reflect the
distinct cultures of the district. Visitors to all the districts
will be welcomed with traditional Ghanaian hospitality. Of particular
interest are:
- Winneba - famous for fishing fleets,
Masquerade festival and local ceramics
- Mankessim - well known for its
Posuban shrine and busy market
- Kromantse/Abandze - twin fishing
villages, one of the important trading centres to which
the late Louis Armstrong, the great jazz player, traced
his ancestry.
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Craft Villages
The villagers of the Central Region are famed for their traditional
crafts that are still worked as their forefathers have worked
for generations. They all make great souvenirs of your visit to
the Central Region. Important villages are:
- Winneba
- famous for its beautiful and unusual ceramics
- Gomoa-Ostew-Jukwa
- a village of pottery makers
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