worldaltem: Day 68 Thurs March 23 Sekondi-Takoradi, Ghana 8-5:00

Day 68 Thurs March 23 Sekondi-Takoradi, Ghana 8-5:00

Twin City of Sekondi-Takoradi (TKD-003)

March 23, 2023

Port: Sekondi-Takoradi

Tour Length: Half-Day (Approximately 3 1/4 hours)

Tour Description

Discover a virgin forest filled with monkeys and exotic birds at Monkey Hill (a tropical reserve for primates) in metropolitan Takoradi. (There were no monkeys. Some of us were told the monkeys were relocated because of interference from people and others were told the monkeys only come out very early or late in the day.)

See the European influence on Sekondi in its colonial architecture and tree-lined residential neighborhoods.

Observe the lively activity of Albert Bosomtwi-Sam Fishing Harbor. (Albert Bosomtwi-Sam Fishing Harbor is one of two fishing harbors in Ghana. In 2016, expansion works began on the harbour. This allowed for an increase to number of canoes and boats. A Japanese grant of $20 million was secured by the port authority to complete the project. The expansion works included the construction of the ice making plant. It is able to produce 15 tons of ice per day.)

View imposing Fort Orange lighthouse and Takoradi Market Circle, a commercial and economic hub.

Revel in a joyous cultural show with refreshments at a local hotel. (This show included music and dancing and was very enjoyable. It was a hot day and I was grateful for the cold drink they served out of the original containers.)

Explore a monkey-filled forest, bustling markets, cultural landmarks and historic sites during this scenic tour of Sekondi and Takoradi, combined as one since 1946. Learn about Ghana’s main exports as you cross the harbor to Takoradi’s Western Gate. You’ll marvel at the unique virgin forest inhabited by scores of monkeys and birds at Monkey Hill, situated in the heart of Takoradi. Drive through the European-style town of Sekondi, passing aged colonial buildings, the stately High Court and tree-shaded residential areas. During a stop at the bustling Albert Bosomtwi-Sam Fishing Harbor, watch nets being repaired and women buying and preparing the fish. You’ll view Fort Orange’s impressive lighthouse and the Takoradi Market Circle, Western Ghana’s commercial and economic hub. Stop for a spirited cultural show with refreshments at a local hotel and reflect on the distinct personalities of Western Ghana’s thriving twin cities.

Sekondi-Takoradi is one of the most modern and cleanest cities in Ghana. It had a population of 445, 205 people (2012). It is an industrial and commercial center. Industries include fishing, timber, cocoa processing, plywood, shipbuilding, sweet crude oil and crude oil. There are plenty of beaches. The climate is tropical savanna. In March, the average high is 87.8 and the average low is 73.6. The average rainfall is 3.1 inches.

We had a police escort today which helped me to feel safer. The police led our caravan of three buses.

Random information from my guide, who spoke English well and was loud enough to be heard. Ghana has sixteen regions, I am in the west now. There are 32 million people. The railroad brought about a better economy and the rail lines are used to bring raw materials to the port. Fishing is an important industry on the coast and farming is important in other areas. There is no fishing on Tuesday and if caught the fisherman will pay a fine. Tuesdays are time to repair the nets and the boat. Ghana is the second largest producer of cocoa. In the docking area, there was a ship that uses gas to create electricity. It is always summer in Ghana. There is a rainy season.

The British were in control of Ghana until 1957. The flag has red, gold and green blocks with a black star in the middle. Seventy to eighty percent of the people are Christian.

The people speak 70 different dialects. Culturally, greetings are offered with the left hand. Chief priests are the head of the family and the ultimate chief is the head of the people in the community. Heritage allowed a man to become the chief. Power and respect vary in the position. There are rules to follow to determine what heirs can become chief. Marriage rules are to be followed, a marriage is to every member of the spouse’s family. The entire family must agree on the marriage. If I visit, I can help myself to anything in the house. When I visit I should take a gift for others in the family. When a baby is born, it stays in the house for eight days and is then named. Children’s names identify what day of the week the child was born. On Monday, a girl’s name is Agra. If a child is disrespectful to an adult in the community, that adult can swat the child. Then the parent is told and the parent will swat the child too. What color I wear depends on my age. White is for old people. People eat a heavy breakfast and a light lunch. Cassava, plantain, tomato stew, peanut butter soup are all common choices. Goats wander around.

Albert Bosomtwi-Sam Fishing Harbor is one of two fishing harbors in Ghana. In 2016, expansion works began on the harbor. This allowed for an increase to number of canoes and boats. A Japanese grant of $20 million was secured by the port authority to complete the project. The expansion works included the construction of the ice making plant. It is able to produce 15 tons of ice per day.

Each rectangle on the floor can be slid right or left. Then the crane like apparatus lifts the set of blocks of ice. They are rolled over to a vat and then soaked in water to release the ice. The blocks come out and are placed behind the machine where the man is. Then I assume they used or are stored in a freezer.