Has anyone ever visited Accra, Ghana?

Question

If so, what are the people like there? I heard it is mixed with different cultures there especially with Europeans living there. If anyone as met an African pastor, what are they like?

Answer 1

Hi,

I recently returned from Ghana and whilst I was fortunate enough to travel to different parts of the country, the first and last weeks were spend in and around Accra. It was such a wonderful place that I'm hoping to go back in a couple of months and also to build a house there.

Ghanaian people are exceptionally friendly and honest and despite the fact that many of them are desperately poor they will willingly share everything they have with you and will go out of their way to accommodate you. I've found that it's often better to accept the hospitality rather then decline and risk causing offence and that the balance can be redressed by giving them money - which will be gratefully received. Dollars, Euros and Pounds go a long way in Ghana but be aware that few places accept credit cards outside those established primarily for tourists and that banks that change travellers cheques are few and far between and have limits of around $200 a day.

As for different cultures - the overwhelming majority of people anywhere in Ghana are West Africans. There are more Europeans in the tourist areas of Accra, Kumasi and Cape Coast than elsewhere but even so, they're a small minority. Outside these areas perhaps less than 1 in a 1000 people are from outside West Africa. I spent some time around Bolga and Bawku in the Upper East Region and outside of the hospitals, saw perhaps one white person a day.

The majority of people are obviously Ghanaian and there are sizeable numbers of Ivorians (Cote D'Ivoire), Burkinabe (Burkina Faso) and Nigerians. All are bilingual speaking their local dialect as well as English (Ghanaians and Nigerians) or French (Burkinabe and Ivorians).

Christianity is the primary religion in Ghana with Islam and indigenous religions also being popular. Unlike in many countries, there is no segregation between people of different religions and all live happily together and accept each other and their beliefs.

There is little distinction between people and it's impossible to tell simply by looking at someone which religion they belong to or even if they are a person of importance such as an elder or chief.

The pastors are like anyone else you would meet and unless they tell you they're a pastor you wouldn't know. It is true to say that they are much respected and the respect system extends to far more then religion - the young always respect their elders, family members always respect parents and the head of the family, villagers always respect the village elders etc.

It doesn't mater where in the world you are from you will be made very welcome in Ghana.

Feel free to e-mail if you'd like any more info, can't promise I'll know the answers but I'll try to help. One thing I would recommend tho' is a visit to the castles at Elmina and Cape Coast. It was from here that the Dutch, Portuguese and to a lesser extent the British, transported millions of Africans as slaves. This was a very bleak period in the history of this proud nation and the tour of the castles is a very moving one.

Answer 2

Accra is a fab city. I lived in Ghana's Upper East region for a couple of years and visited Accra a few times a year. There is quite a mix of cultures, as you said, as there is in most capital cities these days. My experience of the people is that they are friendly and exceptionally helpful to visitors. They are generally very welcoming and you will hear 'akwaba' (welcome) every where you go. To socialise you could go to a superb restaurant called Palomas where Ghanaians and ex pats go. Other places with a cultural mix: http://www.ghana.co.uk/food/Ghanian_Resturants/Ghana.htm Alternatively there are loads of 'local' spots to eat where the food is good. I've met a few Ghanaian pastors and they are human just like you and me. They are usually well respected in their community and pretty influential.
Overall, Accra was hectic but superb!
Some more useful sites: http://www.ghanatourism.gov.gh/regions/highlight_detail.asp?id=11&rdid=132#
http://www.world66.com/africa/ghana/accra

Answer 3

African pastors are almost like African-American pastors in the form of sermon delivery.Accra has a mixture of different cultures.there lots of foreigners from other African countries: over 2million Nigerians,several thousands of Liberians,300 Malaysian,2500 Germans,200 Dutch,2.3million Burkinabes and there are unspecified number of Venezuelans,British,American,Russians,Chinese,Japanese,Mexicans and others.http://www.ghanaweb.com/ghanahomepage/foreign_affairs/foreigners.php gives a little info about foreigners in Ghana.
The lifestyle in Accra is quite sort of British.Ghanaians are hospitable but shy in approaching people at first time.people in Accra are always partying,going to the beach and other good entertainment.

Answer 4

YES I MOVED THEIR.
I STAY WITH A PASTOR.FOR MORE,EMAIL ME BACK.