Ghana Homecoming

Travel to do Good to Ghana and immerse yourself in the rich history, culture and people of this beautiful West African country.  AKWAABA means “Welcome” in Twi and is an expression you will hear several times during your visit.  The Ghana cultural immersion experience will welcome you to a Land of Sunshine, a nation with the reputation as the friendliest in Africa. Ghana is a multicultural country in which about eighty languages are spoken, however the official language is English. Ghana is a fascinating destination whose history has direct links to colonial America. The Ghanaian Empire was built on trade in salt and gold, which is why it was later called the Gold Coast.

Meet Your Trip Leader – Claudette Baker

Meet Claudette, Your Group Leader

Claudette Baker believes in God; the community is family, the empowerment of all black people (especially women and girls), likes learning, eating, and having a blast of fun. She is wonderfully married to Rev. Linnell Baker, Jr. – her beloved and her friend. While she doesn’t consider herself to be a globetrotter, she has been to a few places and has loved the exploration, interaction, language barrier, and finding commonality with peoples of different culture, class, race, and socio-economic status. She appreciates we are more alike than we are different when we take a genuine interest in others, learn a word or two in their language, and when we arrest our Western privilege. To that end, she hopes you will join her on a cultural heritage exploration to pay homage to our African ancestors.

This trip has milestone significance for her personally (birthday and retirement), and she is also celebrating whatever is special to YOU! Feel free to invite your personal community to be with us.

This travel experience supports the following United Nations 

WHERE:  Accra | Elmina-Cape Coast | Kimasi-Ashanti Kingdom 

October 21, 2022
DAY 1
Departure flights from JFK New York

October 22, 2022
DAY 2
Akwaaba – Welcome to Ghana
Overnight:  Africa Regent Hotel

On arrival at Kotoka International Airport in Accra, you will be met by in country local guides and drivers for transfers to your hotel.

An icon to the finest hospitality in Ghana, The African Regent is boldly contemporary yet inspired by traditional elements of traditional African design.  The stunning African-themed decor and professional staff make the African Regent as much a place to stay and relax as a prime destination to entertain and socialize.

Dressmakers and Tailors will also be on hand to take measurements for a custom made African outfit that will be ready to wear at your Farewell Dinner.

October 23, 2022
DAY 3
Accra City Tour
Overnight:  Africa Regent Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast and Welcome Dinner
 

After breakfast, you will be met by your guide for a city tour of Accra. You will drive through the administrative and economic districts of Accra, the capital of Ghana. This 139-year-old city has a blend of colonial and modern architecture that summarize her history. This refers us to the Christiansburg Castle in Osu, which originally belonged to the Danish before been sold to the Dutch. You will visit the WEB Dubois Centre for Pan African Culture, Independence Black Star Square and Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park. Adjoining the park is the Natioal Cultural Center, which is Ghana’s largest outdoor arts and crafts market selling traditional crafts from around all over West Africa.

Additional stops include;

Jamestown- one of Accra’s most historic neighborhoods, where history resides on every corner. Best known for its lighthouses) first of which was constructed in 1875 by the British) as a navigational aid for trading vessels sailing through the Gulf of Guinea. The original structure was ruined but a larger and more improved lighthouse completed in 192 is still functioning today.  You may also visit “Brazil house” and learn about the seven Afro- Brazilians families who returned to settle in Ghana in 1836. Familiar Brazilian/Portuguese last names such as De Souza, Palmares, Azumah, Amorin Da Costa, Santos, De Medeiros and Olympio are abundant in this section.

October 24, 2022
Day 4
Accra – Kumasi City Tour & Ashanti Kingdom
Overnight:  Golden Tulip
Meals included:  Breakfast 

After breakfast, we will travel to Kumasi, the capital of Ashanti Kingdom of God. On the way, we will stop at Mampong Centre for Scientific Research into Plant Medicine. The Center conducts research in the use of plant medicine in the cure of various ailments. Continue to Kumasi, arriving early afternoon. On arrival, visit Manhyia Palace, official residence of Ashanti Kings (Asantehene) until 1974, now a museum containing treasured items relating to the Ashanti Kingdom. Visit the nearby Okomfo Anokye Sword, an important symbol of Ashanti unity that marks the spot where the Golden Stool “descended from the sky” and has been in place for 300 years. Legend says the Ashanti Kingdom would collapse should the sword ever be removed.

October 25, 2022
Day 5
Ashanti Craft Villages – Elmina
Overnight:  Coconut Grove Beach Resort
Meals:  Breakfast

After breakfast, you will visit the Craft Villages in Ashanti Kingdom as follows; The Woodcarving Village of Ahwiaa, known for the talented craftsmen who fashion Royal stools, walking sticks and Fertility Dolls from wood; with the opportunity to purchase hand carved items of all kinds. The Village of Ntonso where Artisans hand-stamp patterns on Cotton cloth to make Adinkra Textiles. Black-on-Black and Black-on-Red Adinkra Cloth is worn for funerals and other solemn occasions; learn how the Black Dye is made in the village from the bark of trees and creates your own Adinkra sash to take home. You may also purchase large pieces of the Adinkra Cloth handmade in the village. Our final village will be Adanwomase, where the Famous Kente Cloth is handmade on looms in a time-honored tradition passed down through generations. See the Kente weavers in the process of creating Kente Cloth in various styles, and have the opportunity of making purchases. This evening, visit the Kumasi Central Market (also known as Kejetia Market), the largest open-air market in West Africa, where more than 10,000 vendors sell their wares. Here you will find just about everything, food, fabric, beauty products, handmade crafts.

October 26, 2022
Day 6
Kumasi – Cape Coast – Elmina Castle
Overnight:  Coconut Grove Beach Hotel
Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, drive to Cape Coast; with a stop at Assin Manso, the burial site of two former slaves from the U.S. and Jamaica whose remains were re- interred in August 1998 during Ghana’s first Emancipation Day celebration. You will see the ‘Slave River’ where captured Africans were washed before being confined in the Slave castles to await shipment to the Americas and the Caribbean. Arrive Cape Coast in time for lunch; in the afternoon, visit Cape Coast Castle a UNESCO World Heritage site, and was one of the departure points for Africans being sent to slavery in the Americas. The Castle is home of the “Door of No Return”.

Visit the infamous Forts, Castles and Slave Dungeons of Ghana. History will unfold the story of the slave trade which the impact is still felt beyond the shores of Africa today. Visit the Cape Coast Castle built by the Swedes in 1653 and was later taken over by the British. This castle also houses the West African Historical Museum established by the Smithsonian Institute in collaboration with the Ghanaian Government in 1994.

October 27, 2022
Day 7
Kakum National Park
Overnight:  Coconut Grove Beach Hotel
Meals:  Breakfast

After breakfast, visit Kakum National Park. Kakum is one of Ghana’s most famous parks. Take a brief walking tour on the forest floor; see birds, butterflies and perhaps catch a glimpse of the forests over 40 species of mammals including monkeys and the reclusive forest elephant. Proceed to the canopy walk. Kakum is home to Africa’s only aerial walkway through the tree canopy, a 1000 foot long and seven-bridge walkway with viewing platforms that reach heights of over 150 feet above ground. Or  enjoy the day will be at leisure.

Kakum Park, photo courtesy of Ghana Tourism Authority

October 28, 2022
Day 8
Elmina Castle
Overnight:  Coconut Grove Beach Resort
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

The Elmina Castle a World Heritage site that was built by the Portuguese in 1482, is also known as St. George’s Castle.  This castle was the first European structure built in Sub – Saharan Africa. The colourful harbour nestled below the Elmina Castle, full of pirogues preparing to go to sea offers one of West Africa’s greatest photo opportunities. At Elmina Castle, you will enjoy a brief “Door of Return” ceremony elaborated below.

DOOR OF NO RETURN

During the days of the slave trade, the door from which slaves exited the holding fort was known as the “Door of No Return”. It was known to all who passed through this door that they would never again see their homeland. There is a movement to now extend “Door of Return” ceremonies to our returning Diaspora. This is a ceremony where you are recognized as a descendant of an ancestor who passed through this door and are now returning, through this same door, to a homeland you have never known.

The day will be dedicated to a spiritual journey of reconnecting to our ancestors. We will go through “Fihankra ceremony” including a naming ceremony. Everyone is being asked to dress in white for the ceremony.  The rest of the day will be at your leisure. 

October 29, 2022
Day 9
Cape Coast -Accra
Overnight:  Africa Regent
Meals: Breakfast

You will return to Accra.  In the afternoon you will participate in a half day volunteer project.  Your dressmaker will return to your hotel to drop off your customized attire and make adjustments as needed.

October 30, 2022
DAY 10
Accra
Overnight:  African Regent Hotel
Meals: Breakfast and Farewell Dinner

Today the group will visit the Osford Street and Osu areas for last minute shopping.  Wear your African attire for group photos at this evening’s Farewell Dinner.

October 31, 2022
DAY 11
Accra – Depart for home
Meals: Breakfast

Before your evening departure, you will have a chance to explore and finish some last minute shopping/  Evening transfer for your onward journey home.

Cost:  Early Bird Rate:  $2120 based on double occupancy / Deposit:  $350

Rate after Sept 1, 2021:  $2400 / Deposit:  $500

Above rate is based on single occupancy – $650 Single Room Supplement

Final Payment Due:  July 21 2022

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