Final Week

My last week in Ghana was spent in Accra. I spent so much time in Tamale, and just northern Ghana in general, that going back down to the south was a pleasant shock. Since most of the population is concentrated in the southern part of the country, it makes sense that it's more developed, with better infrastructure, buildings, and all. When I arrived in Accra, I almost felt like I was back home in America because everything just felt so...modern. Now, I'm not trying to hate on the north. I can't, that's where I'm from. Buuuuuut, let's just say I enjoyed myself in Accra. A lot.

I went to Elmina, a 2-hour drive from Accra (not factoring in the ever-present traffic), to tour Elmina Castle, the oldest European building in sub-Saharan Africa. It was sobering to see the small chambers that held more than a hundred slaves. What struck me the most was visiting the "Room of No Return."

The slaves had to squeeze through this tiny gate to board the slave ship, the last time most of them would ever set foot on African soil. It was bittersweet that we, tourists, could return.

During our tour, I couldn't help but notice how beautiful the area was, what with the palm trees and crystal-clear blue sea. It's so jarring that a place that evokes feelings of pain and sadness could be set against such a beautiful backdrop.

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For my final week I took it easy: I went to the beach, saw some friends from school, took a tro tro (a public minibus) for the first, and hopefully last, time. I was a bit wary of taking a tro tro because it's the drivers of said vehicles that scare me into believing that I can never drive in Ghana. While it wasn't as bad as I anticipated, let's just say that I prefer taking taxis.

I couldn't help but notice the extensive construction of new roads and new buildings. It's because of this rapid development that Accra seems to change drastically every time I visit.



This is the Africa you don't see. My final thoughts coming soon.