Gold Coast / Black Star / Independence 1957 / Kente & Cocoa
From the Gold Coast to global influence, Ghana leads with culture and courage
For centuries, the Gold Coast was the centre of West African gold trade. Portuguese explorers arrived in 1471, establishing Elmina Castle in 1482 — the oldest European building in sub-Saharan Africa. The Ashanti Empire, with its golden stool and sophisticated governance, controlled vast gold reserves that shaped global trade routes and European ambitions.
Kente is one of the most recognizable textiles in the world, originating from the Ashanti and Ewe peoples. Each pattern carries deep symbolic meaning — wisdom, bravery, unity, and spiritual power. Traditionally reserved for royalty and sacred occasions, kente has become a global symbol of African pride, worn at graduations and cultural celebrations worldwide.
Ghana is the world's second-largest cocoa producer, responsible for approximately 20% of the global cocoa supply. Introduced in 1879 by Tetteh Quarshie, cocoa transformed the Ghanaian economy. Over 800,000 farming families depend on cocoa cultivation. The Ghana Cocoa Board ensures premium quality that commands higher prices on international markets.
Built in 1482 by the Portuguese, Elmina Castle (São Jorge da Mina) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979. Originally a gold trading post, it later became central to the transatlantic slave trade. Today it serves as a powerful memorial and museum, drawing visitors from across the African diaspora seeking connection to their ancestral history.
In 2019, Ghana launched the Year of Return, marking 400 years since the first enslaved Africans arrived in Virginia. The campaign invited the African diaspora home, attracting over 750,000 visitors and generating $1.9 billion in revenue. Celebrities, leaders, and ordinary people made pilgrimages, and many obtained Ghanaian citizenship through the Right of Abode initiative.
Ghana birthed highlife music in the early 20th century, blending traditional Akan rhythms with Western jazz and brass band instruments. This genre laid the foundation for modern Afrobeats, now a global phenomenon. Artists like Sarkodie, Shatta Wale, and Stonebwoy carry on this legacy, while Accra's vibrant nightlife pulses with the sounds that influence world music.
Milestones that shaped the history of Ghana
March 6, 1957 — First sub-Saharan African nation to gain independence
1471 — Portuguese arrive at the Gold Coast
1979 — UNESCO World Heritage inscription
January 1, 2019 — Diaspora homecoming initiative
Hotels: ~3,000|Population: ~33M|GDP/Capita: $2.4K|Capital: Accra|Continent: Africa|Independence: 1957
The power of Ghana in numbers
Growing partnership between the Gold Coast and the Land of Morning Calm
Samsung has a significant presence in Ghana, with electronics and mobile devices widely popular across the country. Korean companies are increasingly investing in Ghana's growing economy, particularly in technology, construction, and infrastructure. Hyundai and Kia vehicles are common on Ghanaian roads, and Korean consumer goods have gained strong market share in West Africa's second-largest economy.
The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) has been active in Ghana since the 1990s, supporting education, healthcare, and rural development projects. Korean volunteers serve across Ghana, and bilateral trade continues to grow. A small but vibrant Korean diaspora community thrives in Accra, contributing to cultural exchange and business ties between the two nations.
Explore the world from Ghana
Netherlands · Canals · Museums
Find hotels
Thailand · Temples · Street Food
Find hotels
Spain · Gaudi · Tapas
Find hotels
UAE · Burj Khalifa · Desert
Find hotels
Turkey · Bosphorus · Bazaar
Find hotels
England · Big Ben · Royal
Find hotels
USA · Manhattan · Broadway
Find hotels
France · Eiffel Tower · Louvre
Find hotels
Italy · Colosseum · Pasta
Find hotels
Japan · Shibuya · Ramen
Find hotels
The heart of Ghana — our cities
Capital · Independence Square · Jamestown
Domestic — coming soon
Ashanti Capital · Kejetia Market · Golden Stool
Domestic — coming soon
Castle · UNESCO · Kakum National Park
Domestic — coming soon
Northern Ghana · Gateway · Mole National Park
Domestic — coming soon
WIA Trip interactive experiences
Find the best flights & hotels at the best prices — from Ghana to the world