Their design and construction, consisting of a timber framework filled up with clay and thatched with sheaves of leaves, is rare nowadays. All designated sites are shrines, but there have been many other buildings in the past in the same architectural style. They have been best preserved in the villages, away from modern construction and warfare.

The WHS consists of a number of buildings (10, 12 or 13?) around Kumasi in central Ghana. Kumasi was once the capital of the great Ashanti Empire. The buildings consist of four rooms around a quadrangular courtyard. Three of the rooms (those for drumming, singing and cooking) are open, while the fourth (the actual shrine) is closed to all but the priest and his assistants. The inner courtyards are usually littered with fetishes. The shrine is home to Obosomfie, the spiritual abode of a deity, who manifests itself through a fetish priest. Some of the enlisted buildings still have priests, some don’t.

The buildings traditionally have steep thatched roofs. Their lower walls are painted orange/red, and the upper walls are whitewashed. The walls hold symbolic murals, like those on the adinkra cloth.

The Asante culture is an ancient culture, containing many mysterious elements whose origins remain obscure. One of such elements is the Asante Traditional Buildings, whose intricate designs and decorations caught the attention of visitors – especially Europeans – to the Asante Kingdom from the late eighteen century to the early part of the twentieth century. They were particularly impressed by the comfortable and clean houses and the extensive decoration of the walls.

These buildings served mainly as palaces, shrines houses for the powerful deities who protected the Kingdom, homes for the affluent, and finally, as mausoleums. And like all buildings of value, the structures were the result of the Asantes’ desire to achieve harmony on earth with their creator, the Supreme Being, through the mediation of the lesser deities.

The typical house, whether designed for human habitation or for the deities, normally consists of four separate rectangular single-room buildings set around an open courtyard; the inner corners of adjacent buildings are linked by means of splayed screen walls, whose sides and angles could be adapted to allow for any inaccuracy in the initial layout. Typically, three of the buildings are completely open to the courtyard, while the fourth is partially enclosed, either by a door and windows, or by open-work screens flanking an opening.

The most striking feature of the buildings is their elaborate mural decorations. The upper walls are covered with interlacing geometrical designs, while the lower parts are boldly modelled bas-relief with a large variety of designs in red clay polished to a dull shine. The designs are frequently abstract or arabesque. Images of reptiles and other creatures like crocodiles, fish and birds also abound, amidst a profusion of plants.

It should be noted that these images were not merely ornamental. They had symbolic meanings, and the people who lived among them knew how to read and understand them perfectly. Like the Akan Adinkra symbols, wood carvings and sculptures, these pictures generally refer to Akan proverbial sayings that reflect the moral and social values of society. One of the unique cultural traits of the Asantes (who belong to the Akan ethnic linguistic group) is their widespread use of non-verbal communication. Indeed, almost every Asante activity can be expressed by means of symbols. One of the most common decorations on the Asante traditional buildings is the Sankofa bird standing with its head turned backward. It is a reminder that one needs to refer to the past, as a guide to the future.

Unfortunately, most of the masterpieces of the Asante indigenous architecture have been lost to the world, some due to warfare, especially during the 19th century, when the British destroyed most of the buildings with canons. But what really spelled the doom of the treasures of Asante heritage, was the irresistible socio-cultural and economic change of the 20th century, such as the phenomenal prosperity resulting from cocoa and gold trade and its attendant ‘modern life’. In the wake of this, ‘mud’ houses were replaced by houses made with ‘sandcrete’ blocks and corrugated aluminium. Added to this was the influx of Christian and Islamic religion, much to the neglect of these buildings, some of which were shrines of traditional religion. Lastly, the humid tropical rainforest, which has always represented a threat to earthen and wattle-daub wall and palm-thatched roofs, also took its toll on the Asante Traditional Buildings.

Source: Ghana Museums and Monuments Board (click to read more)

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The Aboakyer festival is celebrated on the 1st Saturday in May by the Effutu’s of Winneba Traditional Area in the Central Region of Ghana.

Origin

Winneba Aboakyer is an ancient rite of animal sacrifice to the god Otu to celebrate their safe migration from the ancient western Sudan Empire to their present home, Winneba and also to remove evil and predict a good harvest. Their priest instructed them on behalf or their god, Otu to offer a young member of the Royal Family every year as a sacrifice.

Due to the harsh nature of the sacrifice, the people pleaded to the god, Otu for an animal sacrifice rather than human sacrifice, then the substitution of a wild cat was accepted as a sacrificial offering instead of a human, provided it was caught alive and beheaded before the god. However, most people lost their lives in an attempt to capture the wild cat. They appealed a second time to Penkyi Otu, named after the place the people settled, and the god accepted the offering of a bushbuck.

Scenes from 2024 Aboakyer Festival

Activities

Aboakyer literally means, “Catching a live animal” in the Fante language. The two Asafo companies using only sticks and clubs move to their respective hunting grounds on the morning of the first Saturday in May climaxing the festival. The first Asafo Company to bring the live deer for the Omanhene to step three times is declared the winner of the year.

On the eve of the climax of the festival, the “Asafo” companies perform rituals and outdoor their gods. This ceremony is a crowd puller.

In the morning of Aboakyer day, the paramount Chiefs, sub-chiefs, dignitaries and the public assemble at the durbar grounds to wait for the catch amidst drumming and dancing. There is jubilation through the streets until the deer is deposited at the shrine to await slaughter the next day.

In the afternoon, the public admires the works of the gods in the traditional area. This festival is reminiscent of the Jewish Passover festival because family houses or stools receive smear of sheep blood and a sprinkling of the dough mix meal on the first three days before merrymaking begins. A significant event is the display of colorful flags by the various “Asafo” companies in the traditional area.

Nearby attractions

• cape coast castle
• Elmina castle
• Kakum national park
• Fort William
• The Little Fort
• Fort Amsterdam
• Fort Patience
• Fort Good Hope

Nearby accommodation

Elmina bay resort

Coconut groove hotel

Windy lodge

FacultyGH apartments

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Batenstein literally translates to “profit fort”. Post in 1650-52. Dutch fort built in 1656. Taken by the English, in 1665, abandoned in 1818-27, rebuilt by the Dutch, in 1828, relinquished by treaty and remained a Dutch possession until 1872, when it was transferred to the British.

History

Situated on the high hill behind Butre village in the Western Region of Ghana, the view of the Atlantic coastline from the bastions of Fort Batenstein is quite sensational. However, it was the promise of gold in the hinterland, and not simply the beauty of this ecological paradise, that prompted the Dutch to construct this small trading fort in 1656.

The sheer steepness of the hill was the fort’s greatest defence against imminent attack, but its constitution was so weak that the building literally shook on the occasions when its guns were fired in welcoming salutes. William Bosman described it as ‘a tiny, ill-designed fort’. However, amidst the verdant vegetation, clean air and the waters of the beach, life at Fort Batenstein must have been and still is, idyllic.

Although it’s trading prospects never materialized, Fort Batenstein provided useful services. Ships underwent repair works in the still waters of its bay, using timber acquired from the forest of Ahantaland. Cotton, sugar and coffee plantations were also set up on the rich soils behind the fort, along River Butre. The British acquired the fort on 6th April1872 and implemented a few basic structural adjustments.

The Fort Batenstein  was consolidated between 2010 and 2011 with co-funding from the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The fort is currently preserved as a ruin. Butre has a Town Tourism Development Committee, which offers guided tours to Fort Batenstein and the local area.

Getting there

Map

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The Odwira Festival is celebrated by the people of Akropong-Akuapim, Aburi, Larteh and Mamfi in the  Eastern Region. This festival is celebrated in most Akwapim towns during the months of September and October.

Odwira Festival 2019 Program

Festival Date: September 16 – 20, 2019

Origin

The Akuapem Odwira festival was initiated by the 19th Okuapimhene of Akropong, Nana Addo Dankwa I (1811-1835) and was first celebrated in October 1826. It’s significance is to celebrate their victory over the invincible Ashanti army during the historic battle of Katamansu near Dodowa in 1826 and also to cleanse themselves and ask for protection from their gods.

Odwira is a time of spiritual cleansing, when the peoples Okuapeman, and all who celebrate, present themselves anew and pray for protection. Traditionally, the timing of the festival also coincides with the harvest season when there is abundant food; during which time the people give thanks to the Ancestors. Being a Yam Festival, gratitude for the harvest is especially expressed in the “feeding the ancestors”.

During the Festival, bowls of mashed yam (some mixed with palm oil and others left white) which have been specially prepared by the Okuapehene and other stool occupants are carried in procession from the Ahemfi to feed the ancestors at Nsorem. A little-known fact is, the Odwira Festival is also celebrated by the Ga peoples of Jamestown in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana as a result of their long association with the Akans through intermarriages.

Activities

Odwira Festival is a week long series of traditions and rituals performed to purify the town, the people and most importantly, the ancestral Stools of the Chiefs. It is also a festival to celebrate the harvest of “new Yams”.

Six weeks prior to the occasion, some activities are forbidden and hefty fines or serious punishment are given to people who violate this ban. Some of these activities include, no loud music, no drumming, no whistling after dark and most of all NO EATING OF YAMS.

Odwira Festival is broken into six days and each day has a significance and a purpose. This starts from Monday and ends on Sunday. Below is a break down of what actually happens on each day;

Monday
Men from the three royal families in the town go and clear the path to their ancestral burial grounds. This is the sacred cemetery or “Ammamprobi”. This is done to let them know they are invited to join in the festival.

Tuesday
In the morning, the men from the royal family return to the sacred cemetery to get the ancestors‘ permission to perform the festival. As they return, guarded by the “Executioners” or Abrafo (sing Obrafo) chanting and firing guns, the entire village gather along the streets and cheer these men. A message is given to the chief that the festival can proceed.

The ban of all the activities mentioned above are lifted. Yams can now be enjoyed. This day is the Splitting of the New Yam and there’s a lot of merry making.

But before the yam ban is lifted and the new yam is introduced to the people, people gather in front of the palace cheering and clapping whiles the strongest men in the town “battle” against each other to grab one of the new yams and take it to his house to cook.

One yam is introduced at a time until all six of them have been exhausted.This yam game shows who the strongest man is in the village and its also fascinating, exciting and incredible.

Wednesday
This is the day reserved to Mourn the ancestors and all loved ones who passed away. This is also the day for all those who died during the six week ban are buried. This is a sad day and usually people wear red or black or both. This is the usual attire Ghanaians wear when there’s a funeral.
They fast throughout the day to remember dead relatives. Basically, they wail, drink and drum.

Thursday
This day on the Odwira calender is for Feasting. People exchange foods and other gifts. Some people also pay homage to the chief and queen mother and give them presents of all kinds.

The royal families prepare mashed yams with eggs to be sent to a shrine for the ancestors to eat. This food is carried on the head by women guided by men through the principal streets to the shrine. These women look drunk and tired, walk in an uncontrolled manner, stager sometimes, run occasionally and stop abruptly. Some believe that these women are “possessed” by the ancestors as they parade down the street.

There’s other forms of activities like eating and cooking competitions.

 Friday
This is the day of Celebration. The climax or the peak of the Odwira Festival. The Grand Durbar is held on this day and not only the inhabitants participate, but many dignitaries, chiefs and queen mothers from all over Ghana and in fact, anybody interested come to celebrate with the principal chief and queen mother of Akropong.

On this day, the Okuapimhene and Queen mother wear their full traditional regalia and display a lot of gold on their heads, necks, wrists, fingers and ankles. This is a very colourful event.

They are carried by their attendants above everybody in a palanquin (a boat-like chair) and they dance bouncing in the air, whilst there’s drumming and singing going on, on the packed street. There’s also  lot of gun firing by the scary looking Abrafo. After a couple of hours being “airbourne”, the chief is sent to a gathering square or the durbar grounds to be seated. More drumming, dancing and rituals are performed.

The chief and queen mother receive homage from all the sub chiefs and queen mothers and other dignitaries. The paramount chief gives his speech after which the celebration continues into the night.

Saturday and Sunday
These two days don’t really have any thing special going on. There are a few gigs here and there but nothing official. These include soccer matches, scrabble competitions, etc..

The ‘Krontihene’ of Akuapem holds a special durbar on Sunday as part of the Odwira Festival.

2019 Odwira Day by Day Events

Day 1 19th August – 6th September

Inter – schools game competition Educational Workshops 7th August – 17th September Adaebutuw (ban on noise making and funerals in Akropong) Saturday – 14th September 2019 Marathon

Day 2 Sunday – 15th September

Exhibition launch

Day 3 Monday – 16th September 

Path clearing by the traditional leaders Exhibition Attraction Tour

Day 4 Tuesday – 17th September

Outdooring of New Yam (early morning) Bringing in the Odwira to the Palace Lifting ban on drumming Exhibition Attraction Tour

Day 5 Wednesday – 18th September 

Remembering the Departed Exhibition Attraction Tour Night Curfew (22:30 – 04:00 next morning)

Day 6 Thursday – 19th September 

Ritual of Purification Introduction of new Chiefs Feeding the Ancestors Feast at every house Exhibition Attraction Tour Night Curfew (22:30 – 04:00 next morning) Pre-Odwira Date Activity

Day 7 Friday – 20th September 

Feeding of Ancestors at Nsoreem by Asonahene Grand durbar of chiefs Exhibition Attraction Tour Marketplace Food & Drinks court Kids fun fair ‘Odwira Unlimited’ concert Dance performances (Cultural and Contemporary) Outdoor games Regional game competition State dinner (Fundraising gala & Fashion show

Day 8 Saturday – 21st September 

Flash mob Exhibition Attraction Tour Marketplace Food & Drinks court Kids fun fair ‘Live your roots’ concert By the fire side – storytelling Street Jam & Gymnastic displays Theatre & play Outdoor games

Day 9 Sunday – 22nd September 

Thanksgiving Service Exhibition Attraction Tour Marketplace Food & Drinks court Afternoon street jam Boxing Kids fun fair Cultural dance performances Raffle draw End of festival.

For more information visit:

http://www.odwirafestival.com

Social Media

@akuapemodwirafestival2019
@akuapemodwirafestival
#odwiraunlimited2019

Nearby attraction

Aburi Botanical Gardens

Boti waterfalls

Begoro Fall

Akaah Falls

Bunso Arboretum Forest

Nearby accommodation 

Royal Senchi Resort Hotel

Lansdown

Volta Hotel Akosombo

Hillburi

Peaduasi Hills Vila

Sweet mother Eco Resort

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About

Located in downtown Accra, Ghana is the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park and Mausoleum. It has a Mausoleum which is the final resting place of Ghana’s first President and Africanist. The park has a museum that hosts rare artefacts relating to Ghana’s independence and tours at the park give visitors in-depth history of the Sub-saharan struggle for independence.

The mausoleum designed by Don Arthur houses the mortal remains of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and his wife Fathia Nkrumah. It is meant to represent an upside-down sword which in the Akan culture is a symbol of peace. The mausoleum is clad from top to bottom with Italian marble, with a black star at its apex to symbolize unity. The interior of the Mausoleum boasts marble flooring and a mini mastaba looking marble grave marker surrounded by river-washed rocks.

Redevelopment

The park was redeveloped into a more befitting and attractive site in memory of the late Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah from 202 to 2023.

The redevelopment features:

– An expanded Museum

– A Presidential Library,

– Refurbished Mausoleum

– A mini Amphitheatre

– A restaurant

– A new audio-visual fountain

– A gift shop

– A new reception amongst others

The mausoleum provides a front for the statue of Nkrumah whereas the museum is subterranean and does not compete with the mausoleum for attention. Rhythm, contrast and harmony were the main principles of design used in this building.

The Mausoleum

The mausoleum is the place where the mortal remains of Nkrumah have been interred for the third time in the past 39 years. The body was first buried in Guinea before being brought to Nkroful and later to the mausoleum, its final resting place. It also houses the mortal remains of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah’s wife Fathia Nkrumah.

The structure resembles swords which have been turned upside down which is a symbol of peace. Others also view it as an uprooted tree, signifying the unfinished works of Nkrumah. The mausoleum designed by Don Arthur.

The mausoleum is clad from top to bottom with Italian marble, with a black star at its apex to symbolize unity. The interior of the Mausoleum boasts marble flooring and a mini mastaba looking marble grave marker surrounded by river-washed rocks.

A skylight at the top in the Mausoleum illuminates the grave, and at the night time, seems to reflect off the marble further emphasizing that beauty many have come to fall in love with. As part of the redevelopment, new lighting was added that gives a beautiful view at night.

The Mausoleum is surrounded by water which is a symbol of life. Its presence conveys a sense of immortality for the name Nkrumah. It shows that even in death he lives on in the hearts and minds of generations here and generations yet to come.

The Museum

The museum, on the other hand, accommodates the personal belongings of Nkrumah. These include books he wrote, photograph archives and official photographs. A photo collection features pictures of Nkrumah with several renowned leaders of his time. Some of them are; Pope Pius XII, Queen Elizabeth II and President John Kennedy of the United States, just to mention a few.

Also in the museum is the metal coffin donated by the people of Guinea when the remains of Nkrumah were returned from Romania to Guinea and later to Nkroful.

The museum saw addition in the redevelopment with a walk-through digital museum which depicts speeches of Nkrumah prior to independence, independence and post-independence.

 

The Audio-Visual Water Fountain

From the entrance to the site are two springs of water on either side of the pavement or walkway. It has seven bare chests, squatting statuette flute blowers, and literally blowing springs out. In Ghanaian culture, flutes are blown to welcome very important dignitaries and on special occasions.

Therefore, by symbolism, it can be concluded that all visitors to the park are seen as very important people and there are no second-class citizens of Ghana and for that matter Africa.

As part of the redevelopment, the fountain was made audio-visual with the water rhythmically dancing to the sound of drums and flutes.

 

 

 

 

History

Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah and his colleagues stood at the Old Polo Grounds in Accra on the eve of Ghana’s political independence, to declare the country’s freedom from British colonial rule.

Together with Comrades Kojo Botsio, Komla Agbeli Gbedemah, Archie Casely Hayford and Krobo Edusei, all clad in their northern smocks and hats, emotional and before a huge crowd which had travelled from the entire country to witness the memorable occasion, Nkrumah said “Ghana is free forever”.

Indeed, when the representatives of Queen Elizabeth and Lord Listowel, the then Governor General, Kwame Nkrumah and others gathered in the Old Parliament House to formally mark the country’s independence, the Old Polo Grounds accommodated a huge crowd of people who had gathered in Accra to participate in the historic activity.

Today, the place is known as Kwame Nkrumah’s Mausoleum and has become a tourist destination for Ghanaians and those in the diaspora.

The idea of erecting a monument in honour of Kwame Nkrumah dates back to 1972, when the African Students Union sent a memorandum asking the Government of Guinea, then under President Sekou Toure, to send the mortal remains of the Ghanaian leader to Ghana only if the military leaders at that time denounced coup d’état and re-erected the statue of Nkrumah which was destroyed during the 1966 coup.

Although the remains were later returned to Nkroful, his birthplace, it was not until 1992, that the image of Nkrumah was restored on the Old Polo Grounds during which the erstwhile Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC), decided to build the Kwame NKrumah Mausoleum.

In 2022, the government closed the site for redevelopment into a more befitting edifice in honour of the late President. This was completed in 2023 and commissioned by H.E. President Nana Akufo-Addo on July 4, 2023, and finally re-opened to the public on July 11, 2023.

The park has a total surface area of approximately 5.3 acres.

 

Inside the Nkrumah Mausoleum

The Museum houses the personal effects and publications of Ghana’s first president and pictures showing his life history.

Some of these pictures of Dr. Nkrumah with some of the most famous people of his time is an eye opener.

Wander through the photos, and you will be stunned at how many of the 20th century’s most iconic people pictured shaking hands with the founder of modern Ghana.

He is pictured with famous people like Jawarharlal Nehru, Mao Zedong, Fidel Castro, Nikita Khrushchev, John F Kennedy of U.S.A, Sir Alec Hume, Queen Elizabeth II of England, Harold Macmillan, Pope Pius XII, President Nasser of Egypt, and countless leaders of countries like Malaya, Sri Lanka, Niger not forgetting Nigeria and many other more.

The body is buried under a catafalque raised in the centre of the park. Symbols which reflect Ghana’s culture and history were used to portray Dr. Nkrumah’s vision to promote the African personality.

Standing in front on the mausoleum and at the exact location where he proclaimed Ghana’s independence is a full statue of Dr Nkrumah in bronze wearing a cloth.

As you approach the main way leading to the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum, you’ll see springs on either sides of the walk way. Each spring has seven bare-chested, squatting statuettes of flute blowers, who seem to welcome the arrival of world leaders and other important personalities.

The design of the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum, which represents swords turned upside down symbolizes peace. It can also be viewed as an uprooted tree to signify the unfinished work of Dr. Nkrumah to totally unite Africa.

This is a place you wouldn’t want to miss during your stay in Accra, since the transition of Gold Coast to Ghana happened on this same location. Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum, is what some scholars call the “genesis” of the actual History Of Ghana.

Videos

 

Map

Getting There

The park is located just in the heart of Accra and you can reach there either via taxi, public transport (torero/Metro bus) or by requesting an Uber.

Working Hours

Mondays-Fridays:  8:30am-11pm

Weekends:              9am-11pm

 

Rates

Entrance fees are as follows:

Ghanaians

Visitor Category	Entrance Fee (GHS)
Adult	25
Tertiary	15
SHS/JHS	10
Children	5

 

Non-Ghanaians

Visitor Category	Entrance Fee (GHS)
Adult	100
Tertiary	60
Children	30

 

 

Fees for events are as follows:

Day

Participants/Hours	Fee (GHS)
Up to 100 participants : first  2 hours	2,000
Beyond 2 hours	3,000

 

Night

Participants/Hours	Fee (GHS)
Up to 100 participants : first  2 hours	3,000
Beyond 2 hours	5,000

 

 

Nearby Attractions

Other attractions:

1. Art Centre: Adjacent the park is the Arts Centre where you can purchase various crafts and apparel. Make sure you get a piece of #TheClothForKings (#Kente).
2. Independence (Black Star) Square: Just nearby in Osu is the Independence Arch and Independence Monument (Black Star Gate) which are national monuments signifying Ghana’s independence.
3. Makola Market: The most popular Market in Accra where you can shop for everything edible to clothing and footwear (both local and foreign.
4. Jamestown Lighthouse: Situated at the heart of one of Accra’s oldest districts is the Jamestown Lighthouse which was built in the 1930s replacing the original one built by King James I of GREAT Britain in 1871. The tower offers visitors great view of James Fort, #Bukom and Usher fort.

Contact

Prof. Atta Mills High Street, Accra
GPS: GA-184-8219
P. O. Box OS 2478, Osu, Accra

Tel: +233 53 007 6746
+233 50 449 3993

Email: info@knmp.gov.gh

Website: knmp.gov.gh

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‘Eguado to’ is a festival celebrated annually in Abeadzeman by every chief who sits on the black stool in his town/community. It is celebrated in the entire 23 communities of Abeadzeman, moving from one community to the other. It is a week-long celebration marked by traditional drumming and dancing with a set day for the performance of traditional rituals and special stool rites. During the festival, the people come together in remembrance of Egya Ahor who gave up himself to be sacrificed to stop an epidemic. Ahor laid down his life so that his people could be saved from a plague which attacked and killed many of them after their migration from Techiman to their present settlements.

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As the traditional crossroads for trans-Saharan trade routes, the Upper East Region, in the north-eastern corner of the country, is the gateway to Ghana from Burkina Faso and Togo.

The Upper East Region is an excellent tourist destination in its own right, offering visitors an exciting introduction to Ghana.

With a population of 1million, it is the second-smallest of the country’s 10 administrative regions. The regional capital, Bolgatanga- locally known as Bolga- has always been a meeting point for traders from Mali and Burkina Faso traveling south to Temale and southern Ghana.

Beautiful Handicrafts

Bolga is a center for farmers, livestock and handicrafts including straw hats, baskets, cloth and jewellery. The twice-weekly market is the perfect place to meet traders from all over the region and to bargain for basket ware, leather goods and traditional clothing.

The region’s many exciting visitor attractions include the Paga Crocodile pond, the Bolgatanga Museum and the Kulungugu Bomb site, where an attempt was made on the life of Ghana’s first presidents, Dr Kwame Nkrumah. Other places of interest include the three-point elevation at Pusiga, the Tongo Hills and the mud-built Navrongo church, with its beautiful decorative designs by local artisans. A speciality in Bolgatanga is hand-spun fugu cloth, which visitors can buy in the markets.

The area is home to various ‘must see’ place of culture and history. They include the archaeological treasures of the River Sissili Basin, the ghostly whistling and drumming Tongo Rocks at Pwalugu and Chiana, the Awologo-Tango at Bongo, the wall decoration at Tilli and the Naa Gbewaa Shrine. Also worth a visit is the Sandema in Builsa where Builsa warriors captured and killed the slave raiders Samori and Babatu to mark the end of the slave trade in northern Ghana.

Visitors can also see the Paga-Nania slave camp, the mystery dam of Kayoro called Kukula, the Gbelle Game Reserve, the Sombo Bat Sanctuary and the Nasaga Game Reserve, just 8 km from Burkina Faso and Paga.

The region is host to many festivals throughout the year, most traditionally linked with a good planting season or a good harvest. Festivals such as the Feok, Willa, Kakube, Azambene, Gologo and Fowl draw many tourists to the region. The Samanpiid festival is a particularly large event held by the Kusasi people in the Kusaug traditional area in the harvest season.

Distinctive Buildings

Villages have distinctive building styles that have evolved through the generations. The unique round huts of the Upper East Region are a key part of the visitor experience along with its communal activities that are part of a long tradition.

Only 21 percent of the population live in towns, while the remainder lives in widely dispersed rural settlements. As the least urbanised area in Ghana, the Upper East Region offers a peaceful gateway for visitors.

World’s Friendliest Crocodiles

Crocodiles are usually regarded as wild and sometimes dangerous creatures, but visitors to the town of Paga, on the border with Burkina Faso, can visit a sanctuary where the crocodiles actually coexist harmlessly with humans.

However, the crocodiles came to make their home in a large pond in a landlocked area has always been a mystery. Yet the crocodiles within the sacred Chief’s Pond are supposedly as safe as any household pet and the Paga people certainly treat them as such. Young children swim in the pond and local people wash their clothes next to the lethal jaws of the crocodiles without fear. The legend is that the crocodiles embody the souls of departed villagers. It is an offence to harm, kill or show disrespect to the crocodiles. Under the supervision of custodians, however, visitors have an opportunity to sit on the back of a crocodile or hold its tail. Astonishingly, no one has ever been harmed by any of the 110 crocodiles in the sanctuary.

Paga is an excellent starting point for visitors seeking a wild African experience.

Languages: Ka, Buli, Frafra, Kusal, Kasem, Koma

Attractions

Paga Crocodile Pond

Tongo-Tenzug Shrine

Sirigu Art And Pottery Village (SWOPA)

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About

ATV Quad Biking was founded in 2019 as an alternative to existing adventure tourism opportunities.

Activities / What To Do

1. ATV/Quad Bike Riding

3. Archery & Combat Archery

Telephone: 0200591233 / 0543839921

Email: atvaburi@gmail.com

Location / Getting There

ATV Aburi, Pipawini is just 30 Minutes from Aburi township in the Eastern Region

Reservation

Click to make a reservation

https://atv-aburi.reservio.com

Packages

A. 1 hour @ 250ghs – per person

1 Hour session includes;

• Safety Briefing
• 8km Excursion
• Days – Wednesdays, Thursdays
• Duration – 1 hr
• Price – GH₵250

Nearby Attractions

• Aburi Botanical Gardens
• Adom Falls
• Chenku Waterfalls
  

Accommodation close by

• Peduase Hills Villa
• Awo Denkyira Guesthouse
• Hillburi
• Peduase Valley Resort

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