Are you considering moving to Ghana to start a new chapter in your life? While it is true that Ghana does not have the modern amenities or infrastructure as many modern Western nations, the country offers a diverse society, fascinating traditions, and a rich heritage. The welcoming communities of Ghana have a laid-back and friendly approach to newcomers, and while life generally runs at a slower pace, it also offers one-of-a-kind experiences, vibrant festivals, a varied and beautiful landscape, and plenty more to explore.
If you are interested in moving to a West African country, Ghana is a fantastic choice and here are just 5 reasons why.
- Ghana is your gate to Western Africa
Ghana is one of the more accessible and peaceful countries in West Africa which makes it an ideal place to rent or buy property. You can then explore neighboring countries like the Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, and Togo or, if you want to travel a bit further, Cameroon, Libera and Benin. These countries are members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) which means you can travel between them easily. Ghana Property Centre is a great place to start if you are looking for property in Ghana.
The country also holds a lot of tribal history and has been owned by many different countries in the past such as the UK, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Germany, and Portugal. There are lots of European forts and castles along the coastline including St. George’s Castle at Elmina which was built by the Portuguese in 1482.
- Ghana has a wonderful coastline and diverse landscape
Ghana has an Atlantic coastline of more than 500 kilometers which is where many people spend their leisure time. There are busy beaches with activities like sailing, kiteboarding and surfing as well as quieter areas where you can relax and take in the scenery. The capital city of Accra is where most people live and, luckily, it is right on the coast. In addition to beaches, you will also find mountains, lush rainforests, and lakes, including the world’s largest man-made lake.
- Ghana loves to party
Ghana is a home to many different tribes, each of which has its own festivals and holidays. This means there is plenty of opportunity to let your hair down and socialize in Ghana. In particular, the city of Accra is a hub for parties, live music, dancing, art shows and clubs, but it is not all confined to the weekend. Celebrations and festivals take place on any day of the week and often weekends end up being the quietest times to be in Accra.
- Ghanaians are friendly and welcoming
The Ghanaians are a friendly and welcoming community with people from lots of different ethnicities and cultures including Indian, Lebanese, Turkish and Chinese groups who have made Ghana their home. English is widely spoken in Ghana as it is taught to all children in schools, but there are also countless tribal languages to try and get familiar with. For example, Pidgin has evolved from a combination of English and slang, and is used all over the country.
- Ghana offers a slower pace of life
Timetables are not popular with Ghanaians as it is not uncommon for events or meetings to happen an hour or two later than intended. People are much more relaxed and flexible with their time, and it can make life a lot less of a stressful rush (once you get used to it).