Kentucky Fried Chicken, popularly known as KFC, has become one of the most famous fast food restaurants if not the most famous. The American brand headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, is the second largest restaurant chain after McDonalds with locations in 150 countries as of December 2019. The KFC franchise in Ghana is owned by Masco Foods, a subsidiary of Mohinani Group from India. Since 2012, KFC has gained roots in Ghana and has 24 branches all over the country. Their latest branch in the Eastern regional capital, Koforidua, located inside the Shell filling station opposite the B. Foster Bakery was opened on Monday 22nd November 2021.KFC is a globally loved brand that can’t be taken from them but before their arrival in Koforidua, some restaurants held us down with their sumptuous chicken and chips here is to say thank you for holding us down all this while;

• Aiks Eatery

Located on the Koforidua Technical University main road, opposite the school’s middle gate. They have arguably the best burgers in the hood. We still look forward to Crispy Wednesday for the free chicken and regular fries after a Gh¢20 purchase.

• Linda Dor Restaurant

Oh yeah, not the very famous rest stop on the Accra – Kumasi highway but their main restaurant located on the Koforidua Ministries Road. They have a wide variety of local and continental foods to choose from and their chicken and fries is the bomb.

• Yummy smoothies

Forget about the name, they do more than smoothies. Shawarma, milkshakes, pastries, sandwiches, cocktails, you name them. Located opposite Jackson Park taxi station, their food is a personal life saver so take my word for it.

• Bubbles pub and grill

One of the coolest spots to hang out in the city located opposite the Adweso market. Great food, Good Vibes and a speedily delivery service. Try their sandwiches too and thank me later

• Bar 205

A hangout for good food, great music and a cozy environment. With the perfect location, the restaurant provides the perfect ambience on the main Adweso stretch. Their jollof is also one of the best in town.We definitely haven’t forgotten you. KFC is here but you guys are our old gees. Thanks for having our backs all this while.

Don’t we all know those tempting and tormenting aromas that smell deliciously pleasant on the streets around lunchtime or late in the evening? I know you know what I mean. Ghana serves the best savoury and mouthwatering snacks on colourful food stalls on the streets and here are my top 5 favorites and oh yes, they are cheap too. Here we go:

• Roasted plantain

Popularly known as “Kofi Brokeman” , every street here in Ghana has at least one or two vendors of roasted plantain. Usually fully riped or soft plantain and sometimes not too riped, you get to choose what you want directly from the grill rack they have been arranged on. Best served with roasted groundnut and with as little as GH¢ 3.00 you’re good to go.

• Kelewele

Also made from plantain, kelewele is the spiced version of Kofi Brokeman except this time around it’s cut into cubes and fried. It’s spiced with ginger, garlic, onions and pepper. Mostly sold in the evening and best served hot. Also enjoyed with roasted groundnut and groundnut paste sometimes. (so I heard🤷). Starts from GH¢3.00 per serving which is enough to satisfy your taste buds unless you want more.

• Plantain chips

Still in the plantain season, I guess we all know plantain chips. They are cut into small slices and deep fried in hot oil. Sometimes bagged, packaged and sold in stores. Unfortunately, the store bought ones often have added artificial ingredients and are expensive. With as little as GH¢1.00, you can get deliciously salted plantain chips from street hawkers here in Ghana.

• Khebab and Sausage (Chinchinga)

Enough of the plantain, let’s do some meat now (no offense my vegans). Usually made of mutton or lamb, Chinchinga is one of the most soul stirring and unforgettable foods you could ever find on the streets. Displayed on aluminum racks with vegetables skewered in between each piece of meat and the pepper that accompanies it, is to die for. GH¢5 should have you sorted and just a little advise, “please leave the stand as soon as you buy it else you will go bankrupt instantly”.

• Brukina

How about some chilled brukina to end the day. Brukina is a beverage made of ground millet and pasteurized milk. It’s not just a beverage but a whole meal on it’s own and a life saver. As much as possible, don’t buy from the already packaged bottles. Spot Hajia’s stall and order for your fresh cup of mouthwatering goodness. GH¢2 is enough to make your day better and request for some ice cubes and groundnut and thank me later.

Leave a comment and let me know how much you also enjoy these street snacks. I’m sorry if your favorite isn’t part of it, I promise my next post will feature yours.😊

Local travel here in Ghana is an amazing adventure, trust me. But as adventurous as you may be, I know these tips, tricks and hacks will come in handy anytime you are out and about:

• Ask Locals for directions: Nobody knows the place better than the natives of the town, not even Google map. It’s advisable to enquire from people around since they are more familiar with the surroundings.

• Try local foods as much as possible: Here in Ghana, there are particular foods peculiar to particular people. If you happen to be in a different region either than where you’re used to, try as much as possible to eat their foods. I know it’s easy to find these foods anywhere but it won’t taste as good as their people will make it.

• Speak the local languages: In as much as Ghanaians are hospitable and all, there is some sense of friendship and familiarity that comes with meeting someone you can communicate with, in a common local dialect. Speaking one’s local language automatically makes you family. It is not easy learning someone else’s language too. I’ll advise you learn a few phrases and sentences as and when you are visiting a place so you can get around town easily.

• Travel on weekdays: Tourist sites and attractions usually charge higher rates for entry during weekends and holidays. This is because people tend to visit these places more when they are less busy. It’s therefore advisable to visit these places on weekdays.

• Carry extra cash on you: There are some areas in Ghana where you would get access to an ATM or can’t use your credit cards for payment. You should therefore carry extra cash just in case you’ll need to spend more than intended.

• Keep an emergency contact on you: Keep in your purse, backpack or handbag the name and contact information of any friend or family who can be of help if anything should happen to you. It should be clearly written and not too difficult to find in your purse. Make sure it’s not too far from reach, for your own safety.

• Avoid traveling at night: Still on your safety, if you are solo traveling or in a new environment for a while, it’s better not to move around at night. Travellers and foreigners are mostly targets for robbers. Avoid, at all cost moving in and around the community at night.

• Share your location with friends and family: If you happen to be touring and sight seeing, do well to share your location with your friends and family. You should also update them as and when you move from one tourist site to the other. Just in case they don’t get another update, they know where last you were.

• Keep your camera close: You owe yourself a memorable trip so do well to take all the pictures you can. Ghanaians love to pose for the camera, so politely ask if you want to take pictures of other people going about their daily business or a busy streetscape. Focus your camera and click as many beautiful scenes as you can find.

• Everyday is your birthday: This is a trick I just discovered and haven’t even used yet. You definitely get special treatment and gifts sometimes, mostly in hotels, when you tell them it’s your birthday. So try this but please don’t abuse it else they will know our trick.

Let’s continue exploring Ghana together and let’s stay safe.🇬🇭♥️♥️

You wouldn’t want to post those beautiful, breathtaking pictures from your travel diaries without fire captions. Here is a compilation of some travel quotes and captions for your: adventure, beach, couple, nature and vacation travel.

Adventure travel

1. You must go on adventures to find out where you belong.

2. Then I realised adventures are the best way to learn.

3. You’ll never know until you go.

4. Always say yes to new adventures.

5. Blessed are the curious for they shall have adventures.

6. It feels good to be lost in the right direction.

7. If we were meant to stay in one place, we’d have roots instead of feet.

8. The biggest adventure you can take is to live the life of your dreams.

9. The world is a dangerous place, don’t sit around and miss out on the adventure.

10. Live, travel, adventure and don’t be sorry.

Beach

1. Life is a beach, find your wave.

2. B E A C H : Best Escape Anyone Can Have.

3. Beach day = Best days.

4. An ocean breeze puts the mind at ease.

5. The oceans roar is music to the soul.

6. Good vibes happen on the tides.

7. Sky above, sand below and peace within.

8. Catch a wave and you’re sitting on top of the world.

9. Friends, sun, sand and sea. That sounds like summer to me.

10. For whatever we lose, it’s always ourself we find in the sea.

Couple Travel

1. I’m in love with you and the world.

2. We will travel together and be in love forever.

3. In life it’s not where you go, it’s who you travel with.

4. Let’s find some beautiful places and get lost together.

5. I just want to hold your hand and wander the world with you.

6. Kiss my lips and let’s run away together.

7. Hold my hand and I’ll go everywhere with you.

8. The only baggage in this relationship is our suitcase.

9. Happiness is planning a trip to somewhere new and with someone you love.

10. We have a world to see and nothing to lose.

Nature travel

1. Nature is cheaper than therapy.

2. Nature never goes out of style.

3. Let’s sleep under the stars and touch nature.

4. To walk in nature is to witness a thousand miracles.

5. By discovering nature, you discover yourself.

6. There’s no time to be bored in a world like this.

7. Nature is the art of God.

8. A little more altitude a little less attitude.

9. In every walk with nature one receives more than he seeks.

10. Nature speaks softly. You have to listen to it carefully.

Vacation

1. A break from reality is needed.

2. Vacation calories don’t count.

3. Don’t bother me, I’m on vacation.

4. Relax, refresh and reconnect.

5. Life is short, take a break.

6. I need a six month vacation, twice a year.

7. I googled my symptoms, turns out I just need a vacation.

8. You don’t need magic to disappear, all you need is a location.

9. Eventually, everything connects.

10. Counting the days until I can be there again.

The typical Ghanaian will not select camping as a go to, when they decide to while away the weekend or to get away from the hustle and bustle that work comes with after a stressful week. Camping isn’t ordinarily a Ghanaian thing but just in case the Western in you comes to play, here are my top five (5) destinations for your wildlife or luxury camping experience:

• Gomoa Wonderland

Gomoa Wonderland is a beautiful getaway destination located at Gomoa Eduafo in the Central Region of Ghana. It is about 45 minutes away from the main Kasoa toll booth. It’s is arguably the perfect spot for campers and adventure seekers to escape and have a feel of nature. The scenery provides a perfect view of the sunrise and an even more spectacular view of the sunset when the day ends. Their camp rates are quite affordable and it includes tent rental, breakfast and access to a boat on their private lake. There are lots of activities and games to engage in on the park and the environment is very child friendly. Pack your bags and go have an adventure filled camping experience with your family.

• Big Milly’s Backyard

With an increasing number of Ghanaian waiving resorts and hotels, Big Milly’s Backyard, originally a guesthouse, provides one of the best camping experiences in the country. Located at Kokrobite in the heart of the city, Accra, Big Milly’s is a popular stop for visitors to pitch their camp tents in the courtyard garden of this buoyant atmosphere. The calmness the beach and sea air comes with, is to die for. You might not want to choose this location especially on a weekend if you want some peace and quiet because of a number of bars and restaurants along the plage. But just in case you want to be in the middle of the action and still stick to your budget, look no further.

• Kakum National Park

I bet you didn’t know that Ghana’s famous National park which features the longest canopy walkway, provides camping services. The popular rainforest reserve, located in the Central Region, is known for it’s rare bird and plant species. The park has a dedicated camping area known as Afafranto. It also has tree houses which can accommodate about 25 campers for a nightlife in the woods. Sleeping pads, nets, cots and every other thing you will need for your camping expedition is available for rent at their visitors’ center at a moderate fee. Treat yourself to an adventurous night in the forest and listen to some folklore by the bonfire.

• Beautiful Blossom Gardens

Located in the Eastern regional capital, Koforidua, beautiful blossoms is a private garden and camping ground for your serene and calm camping experience. They have beautiful birds and a variety of flowers blossoming all around which attracts butterflies and bees making the garden colourful and radiant. They provide fun activities to engage in and their view is just amazing. Since it is not too sought-after yet, why don’t you call for reservations before I personally go around Ghana and tell everybody about it.

• Shai Hills Resource Reserve

For your wildlife expedition, this is the place for you. They have about 35 mammals, 13 reptiles and 175 bird species in the reserve. The best time for wildlife viewing is in the morning and what better way to do this than after a night in the reserve. After a night of hearing them squeak and squeal, you can wake up from your tent and see zebras, antelopes, bushbacks, baboons and birds enjoying the rising sun.

Let’s go and have some fun. Life is better when you’re camping. I hope you love my list.

Volta Region, is one of Ghana’s sixteen administrative regions with Ho as it’s regional capital. It is located west of the Republic of Togo and east of Lake Volta.

There are quite a number of tourist sites in the Region; The famous Mt. Afaja, the Wli Waterfalls, the Tafi Atome Monkey Sanctuary, Fort Prinzenstein and many others.

The newest addition is the Amedzofe Canopy walkway. Amedzofe is a settlement in the north of Ho. The distance between the newly built Ho Airport and Amedzofe township is 43.2 km that’s about 59 mins drive.

This new canopy walk has been built in the Ote Waterfall which is one of the beautiful places to visit in the Region. This waterfall is about 80m tall and is naturally formed on canyon rock. You’ll therefore agree with me that this canopy walk is the perfect way to see the waterfall in all it’s glory.

It was built by a Non governmental environmental protection organization known as Herp Conservation Ghana to help protect the environment and also conserve some newly discovered animal species and some which were assumed to have gone extinct.

They believe this will significantly boost Ghana’s ecotourism revenue and provide alternative means of support to the residents and landowners who are mainly farmers and hunters.

The project was expected to be opened to the public in May this year but we still await the good news. Until then let’s pack our bags and get ready to explore if this is a place you would love to see.

Beaches can be such easy escapes and the perfect getaways. Ghana has a vast coastline and there are quite a number of beach resorts along this coast. Here are a few you probably haven’t seen yet and where they are located:

Maaha Beach Resort ~ Anochi, Western Region

Anomabo beach resort ~ Anomabo, Central region

Lemon beach resort ~ Elmina, Central Region

Axim Beach Resort ~ Axim, Western Region

Tenack Beach Resort ~ Benyin, Western Region

Aqua Makarios Resort ~ Takoradi, Western Region

Moree Paradise Ocean Resort ~ Cape coast, Central Region

Sogakope Beach Resort ~ Sogakope, Volta Region

Tills Beach Resort~ Gomoa Fetteh, Central Region

White Sands Beach and Resort ~ Gomoa Fetteh, Central Region

*Images are from their social media pages.

Ghana is my home and I love it here(maybe until I get citizenship in another country *laugh*). Until then, I would love to explore the country and I’d love for you to enjoy the beauty of this country with me. I am Ewurabena, let’s go on my adventures together.

A wise traveller never despises his own country ~ William Hazlitt