The first time I stepped out of the Kotoka International Airport in Accra, Ghana, I was immediately struck by the similarities with downtown, Kingston, Jamaica. Anyone familiar with the feel of a town setting in Jamaica, in places like Montego Bay, Port Antonio, Morant Bay, etc., would immediately experience a similar feeling on leaving the airport at Accra.
As I travailed through different parts of Ghana over days, the same familiar feeling prevailed. It was not just a similarity to Jamaica, it was also a larger organic connection that felt natural. Don’t for a second think I’m stating that there aren’t physical and cultural differences between Ghana and Jamaica, – there are – a lot! But Ghana just seems to have a cultural logic that, not surprisingly, resonates with people of Ghanian (Gold Coast) descent, including those from Jamaica. It was an immediate joy to see that a favorite dish in Ghana was ‘dokonoo’ made the same way with banana leaves as we make ‘dukunoo’ in Jamaica – making it obvious that dukunoo is a culinary custom our ancestors passed down to Jamaica from Ghana.
Ghana has a lot to offer to its descendants, and the opportunities that are arguably the most important are the various activities through which one can learn about the enslavement period of the Ghanaian people by Western Europeans, and to learn about the culturally rich life of the Ghanian people before and after slavery. In short, there’s much to learn about the practice and impact of slavery in the Ghana of the past, but even much more to learn about Ghanaian life and culture outside of slavery.
A visit to the slave castles should be compulsory. The two most known are the Elmina and Cape Coast slave castles. I have been to both, and have concluded that the Cape Coast Castle tour is of more value than that of Elmina – but that’s just my opinion. Regardless, should you visit Ghana and not complete one of these tours, you would have done yourself a terrible disservice.
Ghana also has a lot of pleasure-filled aspects of daily life – of course, all distinctly African in nature. It would be worth your while to check out the diverse entertainment offerings and the many social activities in Accra, Kumasi, and beyond.
The Ragashanti Ghana Learncation is designed to provide you with an immersive experience in Ghanaian culture. If you are of Jamaican/Caribbean descent, the learncation is a valuable opportunity to organically experience an unparalleled connection with your personal history. It’s an opportunity to further and better understand who you are from the answers you’ll receive to important questions about your identity. It might sound cliché…..but for many of African descent, for many Jamaicans, a visit to Ghana does have a feel of physically, spiritually, and culturally “coming home.”
Ragashanti
