From the National Museum we pass by Black Star Gate symbolizing our freedom and visit the adjoining Independence Square {Black Star Square) which is Ghana’s main ceremony grounds and where we find the enclosed flame of African liberation, lit by Kwame Nkrumah himself in 1961. A short distance away we find Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, final resting place of our founding father who led the Gold Coast to independence from the British in 1957. Set in attractive gardens, there is an adjoining museum, containing photos, artifacts, and an insight into this incredible man’s life. If you are looking to purchase African fabrics and crafts then adjoining the park is the National Cultural Center, Ghana’s largest outdoor arts and crafts market selling traditional items from all over West Africa.
Lunch will be taken at a local restaurant serving a selection of West African and continental dishes. Ghana is famous for the best Jollof Rice in West Africa, why not try some to see if you agree. Jamestown and Usshertown are next after lunch as we enjoy a walking tour of these vibrant communities, Accra’s oldest suburbs taking in some of the historical structures that predate the colonial era. Residents here are committed to conserving these buildings and have made significant efforts to maintain them, our time here gives us an excellent idea of what it was like pre-independence during the colonial occupation. The 30-meter-high lighthouse built by the British in 1871 is of interest and the attractive colorful fishing boats on the beach are also wonderful to see.
We continue to Fort James which was built by the British as a trading post in 1673, before it joined the Dutch Fort Crevecreur, and the Danish Fort Christiansborg. Fort James gave its name to the Jamestown neighborhood in Accra. These areas give us a perfect picture of old Accra, distinguishing between British Accra and Dutch Accra. The community tour would not be complete before seeing the Brazilian stone houses, built by free enslaved African’s who reside in Brazil. Africans who made their way home after the slave trade was abolished; their descendants have now integrated with the community here.
This part of Accra is one of the poorest and there are many social issues within this community. Street children, orphans and child workers are common here and our evening will be dedicated to meeting community members who are trying to change the lives of the youth through boxing. Jamestown is famous in Ghana for producing several World Champion Boxers that including Isaac Dogboe, David Kotei, Joseph Agbeko, Richard Commey, and the most famous of all and considered Africa’s greatest ever boxer Azumah Nelson. It is believed that this part of Accra produces excellent boxers due to the poverty and hardship faced by the youth. They see boxing as an opportunity for a better life in the future, as you will see this is a part of Ghana that lives and breathes boxing. A successful businessman who hails from this community wants to support the children here by helping some with school fees and he is also sponsoring a weekly boxing event where the boxing clubs put on a show for the locals. Set in the perfect location in the heart of the community overlooking the ocean it could be a wonderful night of entertainment if our dates coincide with an event. If not, we will visit one of the many gyms here to see the youth and professionals in training.