 Ghana
is situated on the southern coast of West Africa It is bordered
by Togo on the east, Burkina Faso to the north, Cote d'Ivoire
to the West and the Gulf of Guinea ( Atlantic Ocean ) to the
south.
The country covers an area of 239,460 square kilometers and
is made up of 10 administrative regions, 230 districts, the
latter forming the basic unit of administration and planning.
Ghana is endowed with rich natural resources and treasures.
Over the years, tourist arrivals in Ghana from 1992 –
2002 increased from 213,316 to 482,643 with a corresponding
increase in revenue from $ 519.57 million. With this, Tourism
has proven its case as a serious income generating economic
sector.
Ghana provides a habitat for distinctive wildlife. Several
rains crisscross the country, proving life-giving water to
fields as well as generating spectacular waterfalls. Many
of those falls are found in the Volta , Brong Ahafo and Eastern
regions. Southern Ghana although close to the equator, has
a climate that is tempered for much of the year by cool breezes.
The tropical climate is characterized by variations in the
amount and incidence of both rainfall and humidity in different
parts of the country. Main annual temperature never falls
below 25oC. There are four major ecological zones within Ghana
, these are: the coastal strand and mangrove, coastal savannah,
the close tropical forest and the northern savannah.
 The
coastline is a wonderful necklace of beaches, mangrove swamp,
lagoons and palm garden. In the Keta lagoon basin, important
wetlands are special breeding grounds for migratory birds,
as are the wetlands in the eastern part of Accra , while the
sandbanks of the Volta estuary are visited by rare hawksbill,
leatherback and green turtles to lay their eggs.
The Volta Region has always lured adventurous ramblers and
ecotourism. It borders Ghana 's most important river, the
Volta , which has been dammed at Akosombo to create one of
the world's largest lakes. The Kakum National Park is the
showpiece of Ghana 's conservation. The natural rainforest
in the Central Region is a traditional habitat for some 40
species of large mammals including forest elephant, rare plants,
birds, and butterflies.
A canopy walkway provides an adventure and allows visitors
a unique view of the forest.
Much of the north of Ghana is broad wooded savannah, home
to many game animals. Mole National Park , the largest in
the country (4840km)' is home to buck, duiker antelope, kob,
hartebeest, leopard, lion, elephant, buffalo and many small
primates.
The farther north you go the more the influence of the Sahel
. The heat and sometimes arid landscape of the Upper East
and Upper West have spawned a special flora and fauna that
have adapted to the local conditions.
 In
Gbelle Game Reserve, 17km south of Tumu, herds of hippo wallow
in the waters of the river, while elephant and roan antelope
can be seen drinking at the waters' edge.
At Paga, crocodiles, protected by local tradition, can be
observed. In acknowledging the above, it is not wrong to say
that Ghana 's tourist and Cultural attractions are unique
as compared to the appeal of most African countries.
Ghana presents you with its historic past and charms and its
natural beauty. Participate in the spectacular festivals,
and discover the friendliness' of our people. Revel in the
music and dance and excite your taste buds with our delicious
Ghanaian food.
Discover our beaches, our national parks, our bustling village
markets, and are vibrant towns and cities. Discover why it
is great in Ghana .  The
people of Ghana are known as the people of smiles. In our
land of many people, with many different languages and ethnic
groups, we are all drawn together, proud to be modern Ghanaians.
Ghanaians, irrespective of their ethnic origin, honour their
chief s and royal families, and cherish their traditional
rites and celebrations. These make Ghana a special place.
Though Ghana 's Tourism industry has its challenges, there
are well planned strategies on the board to help reshape its
fortunes for a better future.
Determined to build upon its successes, tourism is expected
to attract one million visitors whose presents will generate
$ 1.5 billion for the country in 2007. The year (2007) will
coincidentally be the celebration of Ghana 's 50 th independence
anniversary and 200 years of the abolition of the Trans Atlantic
slave trade.
An estimated 300,000 Ghanaians would also be employed by the
sector, making it the biggest employer after agriculture and
the retail sector. Among plans to move Tourism forward are
efforts to boost domestic tourism and establish Ghana as the
“Homeland” for Africans
in the Diaspora.
Filed by Seyram Abla De-Souza.
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