Blogs from Greater Accra, Ghana, Africa - page 72

Burkina Faso is a pretty small country and we didn't get to see a lot of it. We headed south from Ouaga through some national park (didn't see any wildlife except the usual ant and mossies) to the Ghana border. Again this was a quick crossing. Initially the border guys wanted to see us individually with our passports, but when 23 of us showed up outside his rather cramped office, he changed his mind! For those following on maps, the nearest big town is Bolga something. Ghana again appeared different from BF pretty quickly. More trees, friendlier people, the kids would jump up and down shouting and waving at us as we drove by, things unbelievably got even cheaper, and best of all, the official language is English - we could understand people and signs again! ... read more

From Abidjan our next and last stop in West Africa was Accra. Our Air Mali flight touched down in Accra in mid-morning. As was the custom on so many of Valene's tours, we would spend but a day in Accra. Clearing customs at Accra Airport, the British influence was noticeable in the uniforms and demeanor of the officials. Ghana had been independent for only 11 years in 1968. The Cold War contest for Africa was evidenced by the Air Mali Ilyushin 18 turboprop on which we had arrived. A series of taxis proceeded to take our group around the city. Sightseeing of the city focused on the modern structures put in place since independence. Stops were made at Independence Square with the Black Star Arch and at African Unity Circle to view the African Unity Monument. ... read more