Kumasi

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Kumasi is the second city of Ghana and has a very rich past. Founded in 1695, it became the capital of the kingdom "Ashanti". Unfortunately, little remains of the original city after the British completely destroyed the city in the fourth Ashanti war in 1874. But Kumasi is still an important economic and cultural player in the country; a center of cocoa cultivation and logging and processing of hardwoods.

Gold is also still taken from the mines in the region and for that reason the city is one of the richer cities of the country. The city is a melting pot of busy traffic routes, chaos and permanent traffic jams but it also has some hotspots. One of the touristic sights is the national cultural center where you get an explanation about the historic Ashanti kingdom and you also visit the big chaotic "Kejetia" market in the center of the city.

Many "important" people were born in Kumasi - perhaps the most famous is the former secretary general "Kofi Annan" of the UN.

Kumasi - Tamale: from the comfortable and well-regulated STC station in Kumasi you take a large good safe bus to Tamale for 25C (the ride takes about 7 to 8 hours)

Vic's Baboo café – this place is very touristy and there visit many NGOs, but the food is a relief; there is a terrible extended menu and especially the Indian food is delicious. You pay about 13 C for a dish.

Queens Palace (near Quick Bite Fast food) is on the corner of Ntomin Road and Prempeh II Road and here you have a beautiful view from above on these chaotic streets. The food is okay.

• Name: Hotel Presbyterian Guesthouse

Address: Mission Road

Price: 25 C (excluding WC and shower)

Phone nr. : 23879

Content:

Located on the mission road, this is a resting place in a very chaotic city. Surrounded by a large garden, there is a very old-fashioned, somewhat dilapidated church building. It would not be out of place in a film about the civil war in the US. Two people are sitting very bored at the reception and watch the tiny TV screen.

The rooms are large but almost empty except for a bed, a cabinet and a desk. It is clean but for the toilets and showers you have to walk a bit on the wooden (outside) veranda on the first floor which is pretty noisy. All in all a great place. I think there is a "curfew" - after all, you're in a church hostel.

TIP: Pay directly your bill; before you know it, the staff is gone and/or you have to wait for hours for someone to change you’re money. You also know immediately what you get, the good price, etc.