The title of this piece will definitely ring a bell with the 80’s and 90’s kids, bringing back memories of the exciting TV show we yearned to come home to watch right after school. The thrill you had from that show is exactly how you’ll feel when you decide to embark on a trip to the western part of Ghana.
Allow me to share my experiences with you as I took the Journey to the West a few days ago.
“Traveling – It leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller” ”
My final leave for 2020 coincided with that of my roommate’s (which rarely happens 😊), so we decided to take a short tour to some parts of the country. The route we used was Accra – Begoro – Kumasi then to the Western Region, which was the highlight of our trip.
As an indigene of the West Region, I am very familiar with the Twin City (Sekondi-Takoradi), so we decided to explore other parts of the region, precisely the Nzema and Ahanta sections which I had never visited prior to this trip.
We began the journey from Kumasi, using the Obuasi – Dunkwa – Ayanfuri- AFAMASE AKOTOM -Tarkwa-Bogoso route, and it took about 6 hours to reach our destination. This was the first time we had used that route, and we almost switched to the original Bekwai – New Edubiase – Assin Fosu – Cape coast route, because we had no good report from people who were familiar with this route. There were bad sections of the road, but other sections were first class too!
“No place is ever as bad as they tell you it’s going to be”
”
We stayed at the Ankobra Beach Resort, which is an ideal location in relation to the parts we wanted to tour. The rooms are priced between GH¢200.00-550.00, inclusive of breakfast depending on your preference. It is really nice to get your meals served in the huts on the beach. You can also alternative accommodation online depending on your budget and preference.
Ankobra Beach Resort .
image credit: google
SummerHut dining Area , Ankobra Beach Resort
Image credit: google
We started our tour the next morning and our destinations were the Ankasa Forest (Conservation Area), Nzulezo (village on stilts) and the Maaha beach resort.
The main highway that runs through Nzema land (Agona Nkwanta – Elubo) is one of the best road networks in Ghana. There were intermittent rains along our course, and I must mention that it rains a lot in this part of Ghana. Google Maps took us to Elubo instead of Ankasa, and we had to ask a policeman for directions. Please don’t rely too much on google maps in these areas, the local folks are very helpful in giving accurate directions.
Our tour guide at Ankasa was very knowledgeable and had a great sense of humor! The total amount paid at this site was GH¢43.00; and this covered the entrance fee, guided tour and parking fee for three (3) adults. Try to break down your cash into smaller denominations since it is difficult to get change when large denominations are presented.
The trek through the forest was supposed to be for an hour, but it seemed way shorter. We wished we could have stayed longer but we had other places to visit. We took a drink from a stream flowing through the woods and it felt so good to have a feel of ‘adukro mu nsuo’ 😊. It will be better to carry water and some snacks along, since you may not get any to buy around this place.
Our next stop was at Beyin via Tikobo No 1, which is about an hour from Ankasa. At Beyin we chartered a motorboat to Nzulezo, the village on stilts.
The boat ride on the Amanzule river was the most exciting part of the trip. Landing on the stilts isn’t as amusing as you may anticipate. But well, you get to hear the history on why they decided to settle on water instead of the land.
The famous Nzulezo. Place underwhelming but the boat ride on the wide Amanzule river definitely exciting !
The drive from Beyin to Maaha Beach resort (Anochie) will take you by the Atuabo Gas Plant, a well-designed installation with a perpetual flame in front of the buildings to symbolize the power production from the plant.
Maaha Beach Resort is Customer Service personified! The staff are so welcoming and pleasant. The place is an artwork and their meals are really on point! We paid about GH¢200.00 for meals for 3 adults, and payment can be made with a Visa card to conserve cash for other places. Maaha Beach Resort is an ideal location to have your lunch when you are around that part of the country.
Front view of the beautiful Maaha Beach
photocredit : google
Day 2 on Journey to the West
Day 2 itinerary was planned like this :
Lou Moon Resort (Egyan),
Cape Three Points and
Fort Metal Cross (Dixcove).
The road from Axim to Egyan is bad 😢,the distance is just 6km but it can take about 20 minutes on a regular day, and up to half an hour on a rainy day to make the journey. The coast on that side is very clean. I am even tempted to use the word immaculate.
When we got to Lou Moon the security officer asked us to pay GH¢150.00 per person as day guests from which GH¢100.00 could be redeemed for purchases at the resort. However we had no intention of staying there for the whole day, so we called the reception and requested to have breakfast at their restaurant and were allowed in without paying as day guests 😊.
The chef is good and the meals are also well prepared. Breakfast for 3 was about GH¢285.00, and that was our pass to avoid paying GH¢450.00 to enter as guests.
The sea view from Lou Moon is breathtaking! If you want to see the deep blue sea, this is where you’ll find it! There’s a private beach for guests which can only be described as picturesque!😉.
PSA :
Please don’t leave the west without visiting Lou Moon. Visa payments are accepted here.
The very picturesque and idyllic Lou Moon .
I dare say pictures doesn’t even do the place justice .
📸 credit: google
The very clean beach of Lou Moon
Next stop was Cape three points. We drove for about 45 minutes through a rubber plantation on the Princess Town Road to the town. The road is terrible and I felt really bad for our car that day.
The town has no appeal and you’ll feel a bit disappointed as soon as you get there, but the sea view, lighthouse and the natural rocky sea defense will calm you down. The feeling of standing at the lowest point in the country is so satisfying.
The view from the top of the lighthouse is beautiful, but the butterflies won’t leave your tummy until you descend!
The place is under the supervision of the Ghana Ports and Harbours. You will be unlucky on your visit if the GPHA office is closed on the day you get there since you will not get access to the place after such a difficult journey.
Cape 3 point , lowest point in Ghana
We decided to use an alternative route on our return trip and that road was worse! The road is now under construction with over 20 bridges being installed, so to prevent the concrete from scratching our running board we had to get down from our vehicle and leave just the driver to cross most of the bridges. Ideally this part of the trip should be made in a cross country vehicle.
We couldn’t make it to Fort Metal Cross due to time constraints. In fact, we assumed that all forts tell the same story at different locations. Administrative offices for colonial masters and transit prisons for slaves from their capture points to the ships. We also had to return to Takoradi from Nzema land, and we didn’t want to drive in the night on a not-so-familiar route.
Day 3 on Journey to the West
We spent our last day in the oil city, having breakfast at the Best Western Atlantic which costs GH¢85.00 per head for the breakfast buffet; and our late lunch at the famed God Is Love chop bar, a place I always visit when I am in Takoradi.
Best Atlantic Hotel Breakfast buffet.
GHC 85.00 per head
In all, it was a good trip. Very intense and adventurous.
Riding on water is never comfortable 😎, but the Journey to the West was worth every minute and pesewa spent in these few days.
PS : This post is by a guest writer who was kind enough to share his exciting road trip with us
Profile of Guest Writer :
Mike Frimpong, an avid reader, lover of classical music, a hodophile and a lifetime student of Stoic Philosophy. First shot on writing, and hoping this wouldn’t be the last. Find me on twitter @mikefrimpong.
So what do you guys think ?
Did you enjoy reading?
Taken a road trip to any parts of Ghana before?
How was the experience?
Are you inclined to after reading this post ?
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Thank you 😘 Hope you’ll make time and take an exciting road trip within Ghana in the near future!
