Dr. Ingleton's Ghana Travel Diary

By Rosemarie Ingleton

Dr. Ingleton's Ghana Travel Diary

By Rosemarie Ingleton

In August, I had the privilege of traveling to Ghana to celebrate a dear friend's 50th birthday. It was an experience I'll cherish forever, so I thought I'd share my highlights with you.

Vacation braids

I had my hair braided on day one. My first time ever getting braids!! Our group was there for about five hours in total as the braiders worked non-stop on our group of about 14 women. Two to three braiders worked on each client, attaching long, butt-length braids to their natural hair. First they blow-dried my hair, then it took two braiders about 90 minutes to braid my hair into box braids. During the process I had flashbacks to why I wear my hair close-cropped and natural. I have a tender scalp. I was wincing and asking them repeatedly to loosen the braids. Reminded me of how I complained bitterly whenever my mother combed my hair. Then no one told me how difficult it is to sleep (especially for the first few nights) after you have your braids put in. Ouch!!

Vacation braids

I had my hair braided on day one. My first time ever getting braids!! Our group was there for about five hours in total as the braiders worked non-stop on our group of about 14 women. Two to three braiders worked on each client, attaching long, butt-length braids to their natural hair. First they blow-dried my hair, then it took two braiders about 90 minutes to braid my hair into box braids. During the process I had flashbacks to why I wear my hair close-cropped and natural. I have a tender scalp. I was wincing and asking them repeatedly to loosen the braids. Reminded me of how I complained bitterly whenever my mother combed my hair. Then no one told me how difficult it is to sleep (especially for the first few nights) after you have your braids put in. Ouch!!

Landmarks

Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park and Mausoleum: The mausoleum is made of marble and it houses the remains of Ghana’s first President, Kwame Nkrumah and his wife. It looks like an upside down Akan sword with a black star at the apex. It’s a beautiful structure. When touring the museum you get to learn the history of the remarkable man who dared to dream of an independent Ghana. Very impressive.

Independence Square: Also called “Black Star Square,” this is a major landmark that was built by Ghana’s first President, Kwame Nkrumah in 1961 and represents Ghana’s fight for independence from Britain. It is now used for many national parades and ceremonies.

W.E.B. Dubois Centre: This is home where WEB Dubois lived after he moved to Ghana at the invitation of the President until his death in 1963 at the age of 95. He lived there for only 2 years, and both he and his wife are buried in mausoleums at his home. They are about to do a major renovation of the site to better display his personal library, home and mausoleum.

Cape Coast Castle: The largest “slave castle” built on the Gold Coast of Ghana, and was the prime port where the Atlantic slave trade took place. This castle was used to jail thousands of African slaves in deplorable conditions for months before loading the ones who survived onto ships headed to the Americas and the Caribbean. The “Door of No Return” was the last spot the slaves saw before crossing the Atlantic. It was very painful, but a necessary experience to reconnect with this part of our history.

Landmarks

Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park and Mausoleum: The mausoleum is made of marble and it houses the remains of Ghana’s first President, Kwame Nkrumah and his wife. It looks like an upside down Akan sword with a black star at the apex. It’s a beautiful structure. When touring the museum you get to learn the history of the remarkable man who dared to dream of an independent Ghana. Very impressive.

Independence Square: Also called “Black Star Square,” this is a major landmark that was built by Ghana’s first President, Kwame Nkrumah in 1961 and represents Ghana’s fight for independence from Britain. It is now used for many national parades and ceremonies.

W.E.B. Dubois Centre: This is home where WEB Dubois lived after he moved to Ghana at the invitation of the President until his death in 1963 at the age of 95. He lived there for only 2 years, and both he and his wife are buried in mausoleums at his home. They are about to do a major renovation of the site to better display his personal library, home and mausoleum.

Cape Coast Castle: The largest “slave castle” built on the Gold Coast of Ghana, and was the prime port where the Atlantic slave trade took place. This castle was used to jail thousands of African slaves in deplorable conditions for months before loading the ones who survived onto ships headed to the Americas and the Caribbean. The “Door of No Return” was the last spot the slaves saw before crossing the Atlantic. It was very painful, but a necessary experience to reconnect with this part of our history.

Experiences

Kakum National Park: I faced my crippling fear of bridges, heights and tight spaces, by walking over the loooong, narrow Kakum Canopy Walkway that is part of a sequence of seven suspended rope walkways that hang from the trees 130 feet above the forest. I cried. I was shaking like a leaf. I talked to myself. I held the side ropes tightly as the bridge creaked and rocked with each step. But I did it.

Naming Ceremony: Visited a small community where a Naming ceremony was conducted by their “King” and tribesmen in formal attire. We were greeted by dancing girls doing a traditional African welcome dance, and drummers. The whole village seemed to come out to welcome us. They conducted a ritual of having us sit on a stool, take three sips of water and three sips of alcohol, and say our new names out loud. Each of us received certificates with our Ghanaian names. My Ghanaian name is ESI BOSOMEFI, meaning Female born on a Sunday & Healer.

Osu Children’s Home: We dropped off books, clothing and toys for the kids. They were so happy for our visit.

Experiences

Kakum National Park: I faced my crippling fear of bridges, heights and tight spaces, by walking over the loooong, narrow Kakum Canopy Walkway that is part of a sequence of seven suspended rope walkways that hang from the trees 130 feet above the forest. I cried. I was shaking like a leaf. I talked to myself. I held the side ropes tightly as the bridge creaked and rocked with each step. But I did it.

Naming Ceremony: Visited a small community where a Naming ceremony was conducted by their “King” and tribesmen in formal attire. We were greeted by dancing girls doing a traditional African welcome dance, and drummers. The whole village seemed to come out to welcome us. They conducted a ritual of having us sit on a stool, take three sips of water and three sips of alcohol, and say our new names out loud. Each of us received certificates with our Ghanaian names. My Ghanaian name is ESI BOSOMEFI, meaning Female born on a Sunday & Healer.

Osu Children’s Home: We dropped off books, clothing and toys for the kids. They were so happy for our visit.

Shopping

Accra Artist Alliance Gallery: Large art warehouse featuring the original artworks of many notable Ghanaian artists. I bought a painting on canvas that I had rolled up into a small tube for transporting home.Kua Designs: A Ghanaian high fashion boutique.

Shopping

Accra Artist Alliance Gallery: Large art warehouse featuring the original artworks of many notable Ghanaian artists. I bought a painting on canvas that I had rolled up into a small tube for transporting home.Kua Designs: A Ghanaian high fashion boutique.

Food & drink

Buka: I had a super delicious whole fish, joloff rice and kelewele beans.Cello Restaurant & Bar: Outdoor restaurant and bar that had fire dancers and great food.Skybar 25: This is a very elegant lounge with fabulous cocktails, great music and a bunch of groups chatting and doing Huka. It’s a thing.Play Ghana: A popular dance club where we danced until 3:30am.MoodBar: A tiny bar with great music, that literally spills outdoors onto the local street. Tables and chairs line the sidewalks, with guests just chilling & communing late into the wee hours of the morning.

Food & drink

Buka: I had a super delicious whole fish, joloff rice and kelewele beans.Cello Restaurant & Bar: Outdoor restaurant and bar that had fire dancers and great food.Skybar 25: This is a very elegant lounge with fabulous cocktails, great music and a bunch of groups chatting and doing Huka. It’s a thing.Play Ghana: A popular dance club where we danced until 3:30am.MoodBar: A tiny bar with great music, that literally spills outdoors onto the local street. Tables and chairs line the sidewalks, with guests just chilling & communing late into the wee hours of the morning.