BusinessTravel Guide
GHANA
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Epitomising Africa’s potential
G H A N A
GHANA From the energetic streets of Accra to the scenic Gold Coast, Ghana is continuing to make strides as one of the world’s fastest growing economies Writer: Jonathan Dyble | Project Manager: Joe Palliser he Republic of Ghana – a leading West African nation with huge growth potential and a fastexpanding tourism industry. The country has illustrious antiquity, with historians estimating that its habitation dates back as far as 10,000 BCE. Its name, meaning “Warrior King”, was derived from the ancient Ghana Empire, previously one of the world’s most prosperous trading kingdoms.
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The country and its economy have retained this dependence on trade, motivated by its geographical location, with the world-renowned Gold Coast spanning its southern border. In more recent years, the country has become better known for its role in precipitating the fall of empire, slavery and colonialism. Ghana’s former Pan-African nationalist leader Kwame Nkrumah, now widely celebrated across country, believed that independence was fundamental to the
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progression of not only Ghana but the wider region. In pursuit of this, Nkrumah achieved national independence for Ghana on 6 March 1957, inspiring a significant number of other African nations to begin their own independence rallies in the process, 30 of which succeeded in this in the following decade. Having prospered in the 60 years since, Ghana is now heralded as a key success story of independent economic recovery and political reform in Africa.
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Today, the majority of the country’s commercial activity is centred in its southern regions, particularly evident in Accra – the capital city. A place portraying high energy and industriousness, Accra has a vibrant art scene and colourful markets, alongside an abundance of street food and beaches, catering to any city-goers desires. Main Picture: Cannons overlooking from Cape Coast Castle, a fortification built by Swedish traders for trade in timber and gold. Later the structure was used in the trans-Atlantic slave trade
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FACTS & FIGURES Languages:
English, Akan, Dagaare, Dangme, Dagbani, Ewe, Ga, Gonja, Kasem, Nzema Area: West Africa Population (2018): 29.6 million GDP (2017): $46.8 billion Currency: Cedi (GH₵) Time zone: GMT+0 Dialling code: +233 Internet TLD: .gh Climate: Tropical
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Redifining Indigenous Hospitality
Maaha Beach Resort offers travelers more than just accommodation, we offer an incredible experience with an extra touch of nature wherever you step. Experience excellent indigenous Hospitality
Opened in 2017, Maaha Beach Resort offers travelers more than just accommodation, we offer an incredible experience with an extra touch of nature wherever you step. The Beach Resort is the perfect getaway for leisure and business retreat. Our room types include Standard, Deluxe, Executive rooms and Suites. Our grand meeting room can be customized to suite your requirement. Whether you plan for a conference, workshop, presentation, team building, private functions, our rooms are suitable for all types of seating plan for a successful event. We also have smaller size meeting rooms for smaller groups. We provide health and leisure facilities such as, swimming pool, Health Spa, Gym, tennis court, water sports at Maaha Village, an extension of Maaha Beach Resort, between the Famous Amanzule river and the Ocean. There is a comfortable cinema for our guests relaxation. Nzulezu Stilt Village, Forte Apollonia and Ankasa Nature Reserves are some of the interesting places to visit during your stay with us. Contact us for our attractive packages and experience excellent indigenous Hospitality. CHILD POLICY 0-5yrs stay for free, 6yrs-12yrs pay half rate and over 12yrs pay full rate. FACILITIES • 24 Hour Security • Airport Shuttle Services • Beauty Spa • Beach bar • 30 Seat Cinema • Well-equipped Gym • Multiple Swimming Pools • Tennis Court • Kids play ground • Table tennis • Snooker • Beach Soccer and Volley Ball • Variety of indoor games • 2 Restaurants • Wireless Internet available in all rooms and public areas • Boat Ride to Maaha Village with food and drinks • Water sport activities • Party Bus ride with butler service • A night club PACKAGES • Wedding Packages • Honeymoon Packages • Family Packages • Anniversary & Special Packages • Tour Packages • Seasonal Packages
LOCATION Anokyi Near Ghana Gas (Atuabo) Ellembele Western Region of Ghana From Takoradi Airport: About 1hr From Cote D’Ivoire Boarder: 30min CONTACT DETAILS Tel: +233303977773 Mobile: +233501570684/+233501648412 Email: info@maaharesort.com sm@maaharesort.com | fo@maaharesort.com www.maaharesort.com
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The Business End THE GHANAIAN ECONOMY has been thriving in recent years. The country’s GDP grew from $36.2 billion to $46.8 billion between 2015 and 2017, while the World Bank has predicted that this will continue to grow 8.8 percent in 2018. With this in mind, Ghana is in the running to become the fastest growing economy of the year, with its economic forecasts only bested by Bhutan and Libya. According to data from the World Bank released in 2017, 41 percent of the Ghanaian population currently work within the agricultural sector, making it the country’s most important sector. Because of the variety of climatic zones, from dry savanna to wet forest, Ghana produces a diverse range of crops including oil palms, kola nuts,
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timber, grains and yams and, most importantly, cocoa. However, despite the agricultural sector’s importance to Ghana, the recent and forecast upward economic trajectory can more readily be attributed to the country’s rich natural resource bases. Having quickly established exportled growth built on its thriving gold, cocoa and new-found oil markets, alongside access to diamonds, manganese ore and bauxite, the abundance of key materials is expected to continue to provide tailwinds to the national economy moving forward. Pictured below: Beautiful landscape in the mountains in Amedzofe in the Volta Region, Ghana.
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GHANA’S EXPORT MARKETS GOLD • Second biggest producer in Africa • Ninth biggest producer in the world • Accounts for 42 percent of total exports (2016) COCOA • Second biggest producer in Africa • Second biggest producer in the world • Accounts for 18 percent of total exports (2016) • Ghana and Ivory Coast supply 60 percent of the world’s cocoa CRUDE OIL • Sixth largest reserves in Africa • 25th largest reserves in the world • Accounts for 9.1 percent of total exports (2016)
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Monument & Tomb of the Unknown Soldier A part of Independence Square, Accra, Ghana. Independence Square has stands that have 30,000 seating capacity. The square boasts two monuments: the Independence Arch and the Black Star Monument, also known as the Black Star Gate. A statue of a soldier faces the Independence Arch symbolising the Ghanaians who lost their lives fighting for Ghana’s independence.
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www.accracityhotel.com
Accra City Hotel Barnes Road / West Ridge GA-107-5500 Accra / Greater Accra Republic of Ghana Tel:+233 (0) 302 633 863 www.accracityhotel.com info@accracityhotel.com
he 4-star Accra City Hotel; a World Luxury Hotel Award winner in 2017, 2018 and the first ISO certified Hotel in West Africa, threw its doors open to the public for the very first time in September 1988. Accra City Hotel, with one hundred and ninety-six fully furnished guest rooms of varying sizes with good quality interiors and complimentary mini-bar, is located on Barnes Road, in the heart of the Ghanaian capital. it is in close proximity to the City’s business and entertainment districts. Also, the property is fifteen minutes away from the Kotoka International Airport. Accra City Hotel boasts of suitable, first class facilities in place for every guest. The hotel offers sophisticated dining experience with its award winning Fihankra Restaurant - an all-day-dining restaurant, lounge bar and a 24-hour room service that offers an extensive menu. Fihankra Restaurant is a treasure trove of subtle sensory delights; a theatre of the senses meticulously crafted to offer you an escape into serenity. Authentic traditional cuisines from around the world are exquisitely plated to harmonise with its classical architecture, minimal style and carefully selected art and craft pieces. All these glamour undoubtedly create an experience of beautiful and graceful vista. At Fihankra Restaurant, there is no separation; only a surrender to the immediacy of one’s senses. Fihankra is a must visit restaurant in Accra with creative and exquisite gourmet dishes on offer, a wide range of the best wines, specialty cocktails and a personalized service; all harmonized in a charming ambience. The restaurant opens for breakfast, lunch and dinner Monday through Sunday with a live jazz band every Sunday lunch. Here is a secret for you; the champagne breakfast buffet served at Accra City Hotel is secretly the best in town.
Accra City Hotel Guest rooms is endowed with exquisitely prepared bed linen, an interior bathed in warm light, and a relaxing bathtub in a sparkling clean bathroom. In this atmosphere, guests are sure to feel the detailed attentiveness that is the foundation of the Hotels service. Relax and enjoy your stay in a space designed to feel just like home. You are sure to relish in the best breakfast buffet in town, complimentary minibar, free international calls via handy device, a friendly service and much more… Accra City Hotel is proud to be the first hotel in West Africa to meet international standards on food safety and hygiene and environmental performance. Guests can be assured of the hotel’s standards when visiting the restaurant, banquets and outside catering. Any guest will see plenty of evidence of the hotel’s commitment to
LUXURY PERSONIFIED
eco-friendly initiatives from its use of environmentally sensitive cleaning products, its low-flow toilets, sinks and showers and its donation of unused shampoo condition and lotions, linen, computers, furniture to social services programmes. On top of the ISO accreditation, this year the hotel was named the eco-friendliest and most environmentally sustainable hotel in Ghana by Ghana Environmental Excellence Awards. Competition was strong, but Accra City Hotel triumphed due to its emphasis on innovation and investment in new technology to improve its sustainability and reduce its consumption footprint. The hotel was also highly commended at the Green Hotelier Awards 2018 organised by the International Tourism Partnership in London.
AWARDS Discover some of Accra City Hotels ever-expanding list of awards and accolades below. • “4* Hotel of the Year 2016” in Greater Accra - Ghana Tourism Authority • “4* Hotel of the Year 2016” in Ghana - Ghana Hotels Association • “Best City Hotel” 2017 in Africa - World Tourism Forum, Africa Summit
With 8 management members and 188 employees, Accra City Hotel make it a priority on going beyond customer satisfaction and as such the Hotel keep growing in innovations which has won Accra City Hotel over 30 prestigious awards and accolades counting in 3 years of rebranding from Novotel to Accra City Hotel. This recognition with honours has given the Hotel team the onus to work hard and put the hotel on a higher level, focusing on the Hotel’s ongoing renovations and staff trainings to further meet the ever-changing modern trends of the hospitality industry and guests’ demands in Ghana. Therefore, in celebrating 30 years of quality service delivery in 2018, Accra City Hotel are currently undergoing renovations and expansions that will enable the Hotel to increase the restaurant space, provide more ultra-modern meeting and conference rooms as well as other facilities to meet the changing trends in the hospitality industry.
• “Guest Accommodation” of the Year 2017 – Ghana National Chamber of Commerce & Industry
Since the rebranding from Novotel to Accra City Hotel in January 2016, the hotel has been showered with awards. There are accolades praising the expert and innovative nature of the hotel’s team, with the unrivalled hospitality and service that the hotel and restaurant offers.
Accra City Hotel redefines the gold standard of hotels in Ghana. It takes hospitality to a level not seen and unheard of before, offering an extraordinary service in the heart of one of the world’s most exotic cities.
• “Best Service Hotel 2017” in Greater Accra - Ghana Tourism Authority • “Top 100 Hotels” in West Africa - ECOWAS Balafon Awards 2018 • Best Hotel Restaurant in Ghana– Haute Grandeur Global Restaurant Awards 2018 • Best City Hotel in Ghana – Haute Grandeur Global Hotel Awards 2018 • Best Luxury Contemporary Hotel in Ghana - World Luxury Hotel Awards 2018
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Out & About GHANA’S THRIVING CULTURE is best reflected in Accra. Known for its dynamism, the capital is best encapsulated by Oxford Street, famed for its hustle, bustle and bounty of shops, perfectly showcasing the local atmosphere as a true hub of Ghana. Ghana’s market scene also gives a real sense of the place, namely through the Kejetia market in Kumasi or the Makola market in Accra. For those looking to soak up the local culture, these two destinations provide a great sense with their colourful sweeping stalls, selling anything from food to jewellery. The street food you can find here is a big part of both urban and rural Ghanaian life, with the majority of the country’s cuisine focused around regular snacking as opposed to westernised meal times. Some of
the most popular options available include kelewele, koko, tsofi, fufu and tilapia. The aforementioned are all readily available at some of the country’s most famous beaches, namely Labadi, again located in Accra, that provides a lively atmosphere, music and bonfires. Away from city life, Ghana offers a range of spectacular scenery and wildlife to explore. The country is home to a variety of national parks that offer unparalleled experiences throughout its four corners, something that would likely satisfy those looking for a more rural adventure. Equally, the country has a range of architecture stretching across its southern edges – locations that often provide insight into the country’s extensive history.
Colourful pottery at an outdoor market in Accra, Ghana
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Crowded fish market in Tema, Greater Accra
The Umbrella Rock in the Yilo Krobo District outside Accra, Ghana is sited on area of raised land, making it possible to watch the incredible nature Ghana has to offer, hundreds of miles away into the green horizon
Want to mix business with pleasure? It is possible Experience the perfect blend of business and leisure in Accra’s‘Afropolitan’ boutique hotel. The African Regent Hotel is situated in one of the plushest suburban areas in the city less than 5 minutes away from the Kotoka International Airport, the Accra Shopping Mall and the Accra Polo Club. The Hotel provides every traveller into the city; be it business or leisure, the opportunity to explore and experience Accra in the most convenient way possible whiles learning about the dynamic Ghanaian culture.
With 109 rooms to choose from, which includes; • Presidential suite • Penthouse suite • Afropolitan suite • Executive club suite • Executive rooms • Junior suite • Club rooms • Standard rooms
African Regent Hotel has consolidated its lead in the hospitality industry by winning • Ghana Hotel Association Banqueting and Restaurant of the year 2016 • The CIMG Hospitality of the Years; 2009, 2013, & 2014 • A top 20 hotel in West Africa – Africa Travel Quarterly
Define Your Travel 237/238 Airport West, Accra +233 302 765180 Info@african-regent-hotel.com www.theafricanregenthotel.com
@AfricanRegent The African Regent africanregenthotel
Simply ‘Afropolitan’
G H A N A
Outlook Recommends "One of Africa's great success stories, the country is reaping the benefits of a stable democracy in the form of fast-paced development" – Lonely Planet
Swiss Spirit Hotel & Suites Alisa
HOSPITALITY Maaha Beach Resort Located on Ghana’s southwestern border, the Maaha Beach Resort is situated directly along the country’s Atlantic coastline. The resort offers picturesque views of Ghana’s stunning shore as it leads directly onto a private white sand beach, providing the ideal getaway and unforgettable experiences to all of its guests. Located in the Ellembele District, Maaha Beach resort is at the heart of the country’s stunning landscape, in close proximity to Ghana’s diverse cultural and historical sites. With 135 rooms, each offering premium amenities including free wifi and 24-hour room service, guests can enjoy some of the best hospitality on the market. The resort even features two leading restaurants that provide free breakfast and the ultimate fine dining experience in the evening.
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Accra City Hotel Accredited as an esteemed four-star hotel, Accra City Hotel offers premium accommodation and associated amenities to travellers from all over the world. Located within the centre of Accra’s business and entertainment district, just 15 minutes away from the Kotoka International Airport, the hotel is perfectly positioned to cater to a range of travelling desires. Alongside 196 rooms, two major restaurants and a modern bar, the building features six fully equipped meeting rooms, each able to host 100 guests for conferences, meetings, or other events. With Oxford Street in Osu, Makola Market and the Accra Arts Centre all within walking distance, Accra City Hotel provides the perfect opportunity to explore the vibrant city and experience its culture with ease.
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Swiss Spirit Hotel & Suites is a 199-room luxury hotel positioned centrally within Ghana’s worldrenowned capital, close to the city’s thriving commercial district, major tourist attractions and the Kotoka International Airport. The building houses an indoor guest pool, a fully equipped gym and spa, alongside a range of other select features that make it the hotel of choice for tourists of all backgrounds.
The African Regent Hotel Featuring stunning African-inspired decor, the African Regent Hotel really reminds you of where you’re staying. Standing as a luxury hotel in central Accra, guests can enjoy exquisite rooms, a relaxing spa and food from an internationally acclaimed chef. A stone’s throw from the Accra shopping mall and Accra Polo court, the hotel is often the primary choice for world leaders, celebrities and high society.
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THINGS TO DO
THINGS TO SEE
FOOD & DRINK
Mole National Park
Cape Coast Castle
Buka
Wli Waterfalls
Elmina Castle
Azmera Restaurant
Kakum National Park
Independence Square
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C A G H PA EN AT O W N
Transport Links
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and standard bus and coach services that are better recommended for longer trips and excursions due to being safer, more reliable and more comfortable. Equally, air travel is recommended as an option for extensive journeys, with the country’s four commercial airports being the Kotoka International Airport, Sekondi-Takoradi Airport, Kumasi Airport and Tamale Airport.
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PHOTO: PASCAL KOBEH
MUCH LIKE THE majority of Ghana’s infrastructure, most of the established transport networks are situated throughout the country’s southern regions. Ghana has a range of key rail networks stretching in and between Accra, Kumasi, Awaso and Takoradi, providing critical links between the country’s main settlements. However, whilst the presence of railways may be appreciated, vehiclecentric transportation methods are the most widely used, with the country’s road networks stretching a total 40,000 kilometres, reaching the majority of the population. A common but unique method of travel by road is tro tros – privately owned minivans that hold approximately 20 people, making up a significant proportion of the country’s public transport network. With a lack of timetables and maps attached, tro tros can be confusing and daunting for those used to a more rigid western culture but are all part of the experience and are particularly handy for short journeys. Tro tros are present alongside taxis
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Landmark Attractions Wli falls
“Ghana's tallest waterfalls, the Wli falls stand amid an exquisite landscape of rolling hills, forests and bubbling streams. The falls are most impressive from April to October, when you can hear – and feel – the flow of water thundering down” – Lonely Planet
Cape Coast Castle
“The Cape Coast Castle has served as the West African headquarters of the president of the Committee of Merchants; the seat of the British governor; and a school. Open to the public, it is currently a historical museum with a Ghanaian arts and crafts gift shop, and it is the regional headquarters of Ghana Museums and Monuments Board” – Ghana Museums
Independence Arch
“The sculpture is a nod to Ghana’s acclaim as the ‘Black Star of Africa’: it was an inspiration to other African countries vying for independence and the Flame of African Liberation, lit by Nkrumah, still burns strongly nearby” – Timeout
Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum
“This is a place you wouldn’t want to miss during your stay in Ghana, since the transition of Gold Coast to Ghana happened on this same location. Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum, is what some scholars call the “genesis” of the actual history Of Ghana” – Touring Ghana
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BusinessTravel Guide joe.palliser@outlookpublishing.com
+44 (0)1603 959 676
ryan.gray@outlookpublishing.com
+44 (0)1603 959 672
jordan.levey@outlookpublishing.com
+44 (0)1603 959 668
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