Ghana in West Africa has just celebrated its 50th anniversary. Stop off in the capital Accra and join the party on your way to safari, eco tours or the slave routes.

Join the year long party. Ghana in West Africa turns 50 this year, and in true Ghanaian style they will be celebrating all year long.

It is true that Ghana has countless faces. Some regard it as the home of cultural Africa that embraces with dignity, the dark days of slavery. Others come to explore its biodiversity or come on safari in its 16 national parks. Then there are the beautiful, clean beaches and a lazy West- African fishing, or water sport holiday.

Accra has plenty to offer

Accra is the county’s seaside capital with nearly two million residents. It is a mixture of big city bizniz and laid-back African ease. It is well worth your while to spend a few days in the capital on route to wherever else you are heading. Accra has plenty to offer visitors and will provide you with a memorable experience. And remember, you don’t need to be rolling in money to visit Africa – a dollar or pound or Euro goes a long way here.

According to Wikitravel, accommodation in Accra ranges from hero to zero. “There are many options including lavish hotels or more rustic places to stay. For periods of a few months, there is a possibility of renting a house.

Slave routes

If f you’ve come to Ghana to experience the slave routes along the coast, first stop in at the George Padmore Library; the Du Bois Memorial Centre and the University of Ghana at Legon where you will find rich repositories of knowledge of the chronicles of the African Diaspora.

There are records and manuscripts here for serious searchers and people willing to assist.

Why not start your sightseeing at the perpetual flame in Independence Square (aka Black Star Square) and then wander down to Jamestown, the oldest part of Accra – it’s a bit like Stonetown in Zanzibar, only it hasn’t been restored, but it is well worth a visit.

You’ll need to spend two or three hours at the National Museum and you can’t miss the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum, the last resting place of the first President of Ghana, a famous Pan-Africanist. This is the in a park together with a small museum about his life. It's located right next to the Arts Centre.

Markets in Accra

Ghana is very much associated with the Kente cloth, with beads and batiks. So get yourself down to Makola Market in Kojo Thompson road and try your hand at bargaining you probably won’t win – but you won’t lose much either. Find a shop and have a shirt made – don’t be afraid of wandering off the beaten tracks in Accra, it is generally a safe city. Don’t miss the Osu Night Market, where market stalls are illuminated by hundreds of lanterns and candles.

Accra's Beaches

Accra also has some beaches, some more touristy than others – and at some you’ll have to pay. But the better beaches, of course are always away from the cities. Out in the suburbs there are beach parties in the evenings, so ask around.

The most touristy area of Accra is Osu. It's located quite close to the Art Centre and Independence Square. The area around there has plenty of good hotels and restaurants of all kinds. For those who prefer Ghanaian food better or would like to try it for the first time, ask for a recommendation to a good chop bar.

African Nightlife

African nightlife is hectic. In Accra you will find bars, clubs, pubs, parties – whatever you wish, playing music – from hip hop to traditional swing – you choose, depending on the crowd you choose to mix with.

• Read a great story about an American when went to Ghana for a drumming workshop – advice on everything, even on how to buy Kente cloth.
• Barb an American living in Ghana gives you survival tips about malaria, cellphones, where to eat, supermarket, hospitals, ATMs and much more.

Read more about travels in Africa:

Visit Cameroon in West Africa

Goreé Island, Sengal

African Beach Holiday destinations

Zanzibar - Arabian nights in Africa

Gorilla Safari's in West Africa