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Panafest - Pan African Festival

Ghana Panafest & Ghana Tours

Panafest is a biennial festival promoting Pan Africanism through
Arts and Culture that is held every two years in Ghana - West Africa.

PANAFEST and Emancipation Day
  *  July to August - 2009 *

Welcome to Ghana and welcome to Panafest 2009, the "Pan-African Historical Theatre Festival". Each year since its inception in 1992, Panafest’s theme reflects the political, social and economic advancement of the African nations and the African Diaspora at large. Panafest 2009 marks the 9th Edition of this event. Panafest 2009 will coincide with Ghana's 52^nd anniversary of Independence. We welcome you to join us in these exciting celebrations in 2009.

Panafest is a cultural event dedicated to enhancement of the ideals of Pan-Africanism and the development of the African continent. It is organized biennially for Africans and people of African descent as well as all persons committed to the well being of Africans on the Continent and in the Diaspora. Its goals are to establish the truth about the history of Africa and the experiences of the African people, using the vehicle of African arts and culture. Panafest, by its diverse character, projects a potential of being the most prestigious and indeed the most relevant cultural event on the African continent.

The essential thrust of Panafest is to enhance development. The festival provides a forum to promote unity between Africans on the Continent and in the Diaspora, and affirms the common heritage of African peoples the world over by defining and promoting Africa's contribution to world civilization. Panafest attracts a diverse assembly of people - ranging from political leaders, eminent personalities and intellectuals - to business concerns, investors and tourists. Central to the celebration are major international performing and visual artists from across Africa and the Diaspora. We invite you to join us in July 2009 and become part of the legacy that is Panafest!

Objectives of Panafest:

- To establish the truth about the history of Africa and experience of its people, using the vehicle of African arts and culture.

- To provide a forum to promote unity between Africans on the continent and in the Diaspora.

- To affirm the common heritage of African peoples the world over and define Africa's contribution to world civilization.

- To encourage regular review of Africa's development objectives, strategies and policies.

- To mobilize consensus for the formulation and implementation of potential alternative options for development.

A sample of Panafest activities:

- The Grand Durbar of Chiefs.

- Rites of Passage Programs.

- Slave March Reenactment.

- Midnight Candlelight Vigil at Cape Coast Castle.

- Emancipation Day Commemoration.

- Musical and Dramatic Performances.

Ghana, West Africa, is one of the best places in the world to tour. There are many places to see and things to do, and Ghanaians are known as some of the friendliest people in the world.

Our Ghana Travel Experts have unparalleled professional relationships with partners in Ghana. Contact us to assure that you have the simplest, safest, and most memorable Ghana Travel Experience. Ask us about Ghana Tours, Ghana Hotels, and Ghana Flights.

Ghana Regions • Ghana National Parks • Ghana Wildlife Sanctuaries • Ghana Botanical Gardens • Ghana Shopping • Ghana Historical Sites • Ghana Weather
Ghana Passport & Visa • Ghana Money • Ghana Facts • Ghana Map

A few places to visit during your Ghana Tour:

Ghana Regions

Ghana is divided into 10 regions, each with its own regional capital.

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The Greater Accra Region is where most travellers arrive in Ghana. After landing at Kotoka International Airport in Accra and checking into Novotel Accra City Centre or a similar hotel, there are many sites to visit in this bustling city. Accra offers an exciting nightlife, museums, historic monuments, busy markets, gorgeous beaches, and restaurants that reflect the many cultures of Ghana. Accra is the modern gateway to one of Africa's ancient lands, and the hub for a perfect vacation.

The Central Region is home to two of the most popular historical destinations in Ghana: Elmina and Cape Coast Castles. PANAFEST is likely the most famous festival in the Central Region; a week-long cultural event devoted to Pan-Africanism. There are many beaches in the Central Region, including Brenu Beach, Sir Charles Beach, and Gomoa Fetteh Beach. The Central Region is also known for fishing villages, rain forests, the Fante people, the architecture of Posuban shrines, and handcrafted ceramics and woodcarvings.

The Ashanti Region houses the largest ethnic group in Ghana, and is one of the few matrilineal communities. Kumasi, the capital city, is the second largest city in Ghana and is located in the south-central part of the country. It wasn't until the late 19th century that gold mining in the Ashanti region began on a large scale. Many festivals take place in the Ashanti region throughout the year. The most famous is the Akwasidae, held every six weeks. There is a procession of royals and their entourages through Kumasi's streets to the palace, where the king meets and greets his subjects.

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Ghana National Parks

Kakum National Park is a largely undisturbed rainforest. In it you will experience tropical plants, wildlife, and a canopy walkway like none other - it is suspended about 100 feet above the forest floor for a spectacular view.

Mole National Park is a natural reserve where you can see antelope, monkeys, buffalo, warthogs, and occasionally lions and elephants. Tourists can visit this park either on foot or in a 4-wheel drive vehicle.

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Ghana Wildlife Sanctuaries and Reserves

Shai Hills Resource Reserve is filled with granite-covered hills. Various animals can be seen here, inclucing kob, bushbuck, oribi, primates, and over 160 species of birds. The most important traditional shrines of the Shai people are located within the reserve, and numerous archaeological sites can be visited on the hillsides. Shai Hills is located in the Greater Accra Region.

Buabeng Fiema Monkey Sanctuary is home to the endangered Colobus and Mona monkeys, which live in harmony with the people of the village. The people of the villages of Buabeng and Fiema revere the monkeys; this sanctuary was established to help protect them. When a monkey dies, a ceremony is held and he or she is buried in a coffin. If you arrive in the village before 9 am, you can see the monkeys come into the villages for breakfast, then go to the schoolyards to play. The sancturary is located in the Brong Ahafo Region.

Agumatsa Wildlife Sanctuary is on the Ghana-Togo border, in the Volta Region. The spectacular Wli falls are located here; the water cascades over a 400 m (1,300 ft) cliff. A large colony of bats live in the cliffs of the sanctuary, and they can be seen flying en masse in the evening. Every November, an Agumatsa Waterfalls Festival is held to thank God for the water, which is used in many aspects of daily life.

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Ghana Botanical Gardens

Aburi Botanical Garden is dedicated to saving plant diversity, and maintaining natural reserves. The gardens offer a staggering array of plants, which attract dozens of beautiful birds and butterflies.

Ghana Shopping

Kumasi Central Market is one of the largest open air markets in West Africa with over 10,000 vendors. This is the perfect place to buy just about anything you need, including cloth, wood carvings, and food.

The Centre of National Culture, also known as Arts Centre in Accra, offers hundreds of vendors, selling wooden carvings, masks, beads, brass and leather crafts, fabric, drums, African music and paintings by local artists.

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Ghana Historical Sites

Elmina Castle, built in 1482, was the first permanent structure south of the Sahara built by Europeans, and the first slave castle to be built along the west coast of Africa. Elmina Fort, or Fort São Jorge da Mina, was elevated to the status of castle because it was the seat of authority for the Portuguese. The castle has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Cape Coast Castle is one of the most beautiful castles in existence today. Millions of slaves passed through its walls en route to the Caribbean and the Americas, and it was the seat of British colonial administration until 1877. The Cape Coast Castle Museum is now located here, and it has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Du Bois Memorial Centre for Pan African Culture is the grave site of W.E.B. Du Bois and his wife Shirley. Dr. Du Bois was an intellectual and Pan-Africanist, who spent his last years in Ghana working with Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, the first President of Ghana. The Centre is a source of inspiration to all those who visit. Dr. Du Bois lived in the house now dedicated to him until his death. The Centre houses a research library and gallery of manuscripts. There are facilities for lectures, workshops and presentations.

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There are many more things to do and places to visit in Ghana. Select a Ghana Tour using the links on the left. No matter what you do in Ghana, it will be a vacation to remember.

Ghana Weather & Climate

Month	Average High	Average Low	Average Precip.
January	87	77	0.6
February	88	79	1.1
March	88	79	2.2
April	87	79	3.5
May	86	78	5.3
June	83	76	7.8
July	81	75	2.0
August	80	74	0.7
September	82	75	1.7
October	84	76	2.5
November	87	77	1.3
December	86	77	0.8

* Data is based on Accra, Ghana.

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Ghana Passport & Visa Requirements

All visitors require a valid passport. All visitors are required to have a visa, except for citizens of countries belonging to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Visitors must also hold a return or onward ticket as well as all documents needed for their next destination. On arrival, all non-Ghanaian passengers must obtain a registration card. Two passport photos are required.

Ghana Money

The official currency of Ghana is the cedi (GHC), which is divided into 100 pesewas. Foreign currency can be exchanged at any forex bureaux as well as at some commercial banks; banks and foreign exchange facilities are available at the airport and in all major towns. It is advisable to keep all currency exchange receipts in order to be able to re-exchange when departing.

Banking hours are usually from 8.30am to 3pm Monday to Friday, and most large commercial banks have ATMs located outside, although only limited amounts of cedis can be drawn at a time. Travellers cheques are accepted at banks and forex bureaux in the capital Accra, but the rate of exchange may be lower than for cash transactions.

The most widely accepted credit cards are American Express, Diners and Visa, and cards can be used for payment at major hotels and shops, although this can be risky as credit card fraud is very common. The best currencies to bring are US dollars, British pounds or Euros as other currencies exchange at poor rates.

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Ghana Facts

Full country name: Republic of Ghana

Area: 238,540 sq km (93,030 sq mi)

Population: 19.7 million

Capital city: Accra (pop 1.3 million)

People: Akan (44%), Mole-Dagbane (16%), Ewé (13%), Ga (8%), Guan, Gurma, Gonja, Dagomba

Language: English (official language), Ewé, Ga, Twi

Religion: Christian (60%), Muslim (15%), traditional African religions (25%)

Government: Parliamentary Democracy

Electricity: 220V/240V, 50Hz

Weights & measures: Metric

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