Ghana to Open its First Skate Park in Accra

Ghana to Open its First Skate Park in Accra this Summer

By Parker Diakite

Ghana will fi nally get the skate park it deserves. Freedom Skate Park, set to open in Accra in July 2021, will be a state-of-the-art skate park that comes with Wi-Fi.

American-Ghanaian designer Virgil Abloh, who also serves as Louis Vuitton’s menswear artistic director, is part of the international project, as reported by Vogue.

Over the last decade, skateboarding in Ghana has attracted international attention thanks to the Skate Nation crew, Surf Ghana, an NGO that supports outdoor sports in the West African country, and the pan-African fashion label, Daily Paper Clothing.

There are an estimated 4,000 full-on skate parks around the world but only 10 in Africa.

“With this initiative we hope to evolve the skate culture in Ghana to the next level and give locals a platform to grow their talents within a space that will hopefully become their biggest training ground

to date,” Jeff erson Osei, co-founder of the Daily Paper Clothing released in a statement. “More than board sports, the park will be a creative hub for young Ghanaians to come together, exchange ideas, inspire each other and build their futures through recreational activities.” https://travelnoire.com/ghana-fi rst-skate-park-inaccra-this-summer Image credit: Getty Images

Support Black-Owned Black-Owned Hotels roughout the World (A ica)

By Shauna Beni

Planning a trip can be fun or stressful, depending on who you ask. For many Black travelers, unconscious bias, racism, and a systemic history of oppression within the travel industry can often make for the latter.

In choosing accommodations, for example, it seems reasonable to expect a few things, like a sense of safety, respect, and options that work with in your budget. But dating as far back as the early 1900s, when Black Americans were denied access to public accommodations because of the color of their skin (leading to the rise of the Green Book as a much-needed resource), Black travelers have often been forced to settle for less.

In 2021, there is still a lot of work to be done in the hospitality industry, but with an increasing number of Black-owned accommodations throughout the world, it’s easier to know where you’ll feel welcome. As Danielle Mitchell, founder of the community Black Girls Travel Too, says of her stays at Black-owned properties, “You don’t

have to stay in a five-star hotel to be treated like a five-star guest.”

Plus, as we strive for a more inclusive travel industry, it’s important for all travelers to be mindful of where they spend their money—and putting dollars into Black-owned hotels, which are too far and few between, is a small way we can all help change that from the ground up.

From luxe safari camps to mountain-town hideaways stateside, read on for our ever-growing list of Black-owned stays throughout the world. For additional resources, check out the Blackout Coalition’s interactive map of Black-owned hotels or The Collective’s ever-growing resources of Black-owned travel businesses.

The entire story and listing are available at the link at the end of this article. Check out the other resources using the links shown above.

Travel Africa is publishing the Africa portion of the listing here. We have also featured some of the hotels and lodges listed in other issues and on page 24, www.africabusinessassociation. www.cntraveler.com/story/black-owned-hotels

African Bush Camps

Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia Founded by Beks Ndlovu, a professional safari guide, these luxe tented camp and lodges off er wildlife and safari experiences in some of Africa’s untouched areas.

https://africanbushcamps.com/

Olma Colonial Suites

Accra, Ghana This intimate hotel features an outdoor pool, a

RLJ Kendeja Resort

garden to unwind in, and is located in Accra’s city center, a short distance from the beach. https://olma-colonial-suits-gh.book.direct/en-gb

Thorn Tree River Lodge, Zambia African Bush Camps

West Africa’s fi rst luxury safari lodge in Mole National Park, Zaina has tented chalets complete with private balconies, and a cool infi nity pool to refresh in. http://zainalodge-ghana.com/

RLJ Kendeja Resort

Near Monrovia, Liberia The fi rst hotel of its kind in Liberia, this four-star resort is known for stunning views overlooking the Atlantic ocean.

www.kendejaresort.com.lr

Jnane Tamsna

Marrakech, Morocco On a lush, nine-acre plot of land outside of Marrakech, this quiet boutique features fi ve houses and pools, each uniquely designed. www.jnanetamsna.com/

Seku Bi

Dakar, Senegal This intimate boutique features French colonial villas, contemporary African art, and a quiet location in the arrondissement of Dakar-Plateau. http://sekubi.com/

Curiocity

Durban, Johannesburg,

Black-owned - from page 43 Cape Town; South Africa A network of three hostels throughout South Africa, Curiocity outposts are designed with local style and plenty of soul.

https://curiocity.africa/

iKhaya Lodge

One of the most popular hotel and conference centers in Johannesburg, this hotel has 46 rooms and a traditional buff et that serves South African staples like morogo and roasted butternut. http://sowetohotel.co.za/

Primate Lodge Kibali

Kibale National Park, Uganda Right in the heart of Kibale Rainforest National Park, this eco-lodge is a great jumping off point for travelers wanting to track chimpanzees (or the 12 other primates that call this rainforest home).

https:// ugandalodges. com/primate/thelodge/

iKhaya Lodge

Cape Town A safari-style boutique in the center of Cape Town, iKhaya features traditional African decor and furniture. https://ikhayalodge.co.za/

Primate Lodge Kibali

Kruger Shalati

Skukuza, South Africa One of 2020’s most innovative openings, the Kruger Shalati in Kruger National Park has transformed a historic train sitting on the Selati Bridge into a modern hotel. https://www.krugershalati.com/

Uganda Lodges

Uganda Lodges

Locations throughout Uganda A collection of luxe African-style safari lodging, Uganda Lodges has a wide variety of rooms

Uganda Lodges

including cottages, eco-friendly villas, and a treehouse.

Mbano Manor Hotel

Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe Just two miles from Victoria Falls, this allsuite boutique hotel has just 18 rooms designed to off er the comfort and privacy you’ll want after a long day at the waterfall. www.mbanomanorhotel.com