After the Year of Return (2019) ended, Beyond The Return which explores Ghana's heartbeat with each journey was founded, prompting the dilemma of what to do after December 31, 2019.

The motive is to build a strong relationship with the Ghanaian diaspora passing on a sense of belonging and shared obligation for the country’s development.

To ensure this, Experience Ghana, Invest In Ghana, and Give Back Ghana among others was the drive of this initiative. This introduces them to the beautiful and serene tourist sites the country has. 

From the stunning, 300-year-old shrine at Besease to the Manhyia Palace Museum where the Asante king holds court every sixth Sunday achieved a substantial recovery in 2023, restoring its rank in the top ten most visited attractions site in Ghana after undergoing restoration from 2019 (2023 Tourism Report), including the Kumasi fort and military museum all located at the Ashanti region also referred to as the “Kings of Gold” due to its heritage of fine craftsmanship and cultural customs. 

Welcoming you to the Greater Accra Region, the capital of Ghana is where the Kwame  Nkrumah Museum and Memorial Park are located. According to the tourism report, in 2023, Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park was the most popular tourist destination, with 208,577 people, accounting for 15% of overall visits followed by the National Museum.

The museum honors the life and legacy of Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana's first president and a key figure in the country's independence fight. It exhibits his personal things, documents, and photographs, whilst the memorial park is a beautifully landscaped spot where Nkrumah and his wife, Fathia Nkrumah, are buried. The Black Star Square also known as the Independent Square symbolizes autonomy, freedom, and self-sufficiency. 

The Boabeng-Fiema Monkey Wildlife Sanctuary located in the Ahafo region portrays how monkeys and human beings live together. Some rivers also flow over rocky terrain resulting in stunning tourist destinations such as the Kintampo Falls. 

The Upper East Region presents a sacred pong in Paga known as the Paga Crocodile Pond which is inhabited by West African crocodiles, with some up to the age of 90 years. 

Not forgetting the Central Region of Ghana, the Cape Coast Castle established in 1555 by the Portuguese is one of about forty “slave castles” built in Ghana. The region has evolved into the top destination for both domestic and international tourists thanks to its castles(eg Elmina castle), forts, and rainforest canopy walkway at Kakum National Park.

DECEMBER IN GH

December in GH is a tourism initiative launched by the Ghana Tourism Authority in 2019. 

It is a special time of the year aimed at promoting Ghana as a destination for Christmas and New Year celebrations. It’s filled with numerous activities and events that portray the country’s rich culture, heritage, and entertainment scene. As the gateway to Africa, Ghana is the go-to hotspot to experience the December holiday season in West Africa. Just know that when you arrive in Ghana, you are about to embark on an exciting journey of a lifetime. 

Some of the activities the December in GH calendar features include cultural festivals, music concerts that feature local and international artists, art exhibitions showcasing Ghanaian art and culture, and a paragliding festival for adventure seekers. It includes: 

A day at the Bisa Aberwa Museum at Sekondi, Opposite Effia  Nkwanta Hospital, WESTERN Region from 1st December - to January 31st.  The museum showcases over 2,200 African artifacts, showcasing African creativity and resilience. Visitors can watch documentaries on Black history in a state-of-the-art conference room, providing an unforgettable journey of African heritage.

Also, Invest in Ghana 2024 happening in the City of Accra, Akweya Properties is hosting an exclusive real estate investment event and homebuyer, offering opportunities to explore lucrative passive income opportunities in the vibrant Ghanaian culture.

Furthermore, on December 14th, Mayekoo Beach Please will come off at Labadi / Labomabeach, Greater Accra. Mayekoo Beach Please is a social impact initiative involving local communities and volunteers to remove plastic waste from the beach, promoting environmental awareness and community engagement to protect marine life. This and many more activities are scheduled in December to provide exciting moments and unforgettable experiences.

This initiative has positively impacted Ghana’s tourist value chain, particularly SME’s. This has also encouraged domestic tourism because citizens have the urge to participate in these activities. The events generate increased tourism demand, resulting in higher hotel occupancy rates, restaurant visits, transportation usage, and local artisan sales which contributes to the development of the country. These facilities are licensed by the Ghana Tourism Authority according to the Tourism Act, 2011, Act 819, to ensure the facilities have made proper provision for sanitation, security, health, and comfort for persons using the premises.

If it’s your first trip, be ready to see an Africa you never imagined but for those coming back, we know you couldn’t resist the call to return. Prepare yourself for an unforgettable experience that surpasses your expectations.

By: Veronica Ekua Scheck, National Service Personnel at the Marketing Department of Ghana Tourism Authority.