Shopping in Ghana
Andinkra cloth, wooden stools, dolls for fertility and other magical purposes, real or simulated gold weights, wood carvings, ceramics, jewelry, brassware and oware game board are some specialities of Ghana. Custom-made coffin is a unsual stuff which your eyes can catch. In choosing your specialized coffin, the tradition is to select something that represents you, or something you always wanted but could never have. (Businessmen might choose a Mercedes-Benz-shaped coffin; fishermen might choose one carved to resemble a big fish.)
You can look for kente cloth, an expensive material worn on ceremonial occasions. The colorful geometric patterns have historic meanings. Also look for Kumasi, especially rich in Ashanti crafts.
Shopping Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 8 am-noon and 2-5:30 pm, Wednesday and Saturday 8 am-1 pm.
Related Travel Information
Climate in Ghana
Variation between day and night temperatures is relatively small, but greater in the north, especially in January, on account of the harmattan. Climatic differences between various parts of the country are affected by the sun's journey north or south of the equator and the corresponding position of the intertropical convergence one, the boundary between the moist southwesterly winds and the dry northeasterly winds. Except in the north, there are two rainy seasons, from April to June and from September to November.
In the north squalls occur in March and April, followed by occasional rain until August and September,
Ghana: Information for Travellers
Capital: Accra.
Languages: English; more than 50 tribal languages, including Dagbani, Fante, Twi, Ewe and Ga.
Predominant Religions: Animist, Christian, Islamic.
Time Zone: Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). Daylight Saving Time is not observed.
Telephone Codes: 233, country code.
Electrical Power
Electric Power is 230V running at 50Hz. The Plug types used are :
Round pins with ground - view
Rectangular blade plug - view
MONEY
Official Currency: 100 pesewas=1 Cedi
Current Exchange Rate: Today's Exchange Rate
The Cedi is far from stable and fluctuates against foreign currencies daily. Bank rates are slightly lower than those obtained from Forex bureaus. Barclays Bank will
Shopping in Cameroon
Cameroon is a main center of African wood sculpture. You can shop for masks and other wood carvings. This place is also fabous for masks with galss beads. If you're interested in buying African sculpture, first visit a museum with an African collection or get a library book about African art to familiarize yourself with what's available. Don't be fooled into thinking you're getting an original art treasure, Salesmen in Cameroon are very smart: Everything is an imitation of objects once used in traditional ceremonies. (That doesn't mean you shouldn't consider purchasing what's available - many of today's
Shopping in Ethiopia
It is better to check with government authorities or the National Museum before purchasing antiques (including Ethiopian crosses) or animal skins. Amber, biblical-story pictures, wood carvings, silver, coffee, original uniforms of Haile Selassie's army, tribal daggers, leather shields and local handicrafts. You can visit the Ethiopian Handicraft School in Addis to see craftsmen making handicrafts. Beware of some old coins: Millions of Austrian Maria Theresa thalers, all minted with a date of 1780, were produced by the Italians for use during their occupation of Ethiopia between 1935 and 1937 - the 1780 date was never changed because
Accra
The capital of Ghana Accra is a pleasant city (pop. 1 100 000) on the southern coast. Start your sightseeing at the Perpetual Flame at the Cenotaph in Revolution Square then go on to the National Museum (one of the best collections in West Africa—allow at least two hours). Next to the museum is a good craft market which sells paintings prints and postcards. The city’s main sites are the Makola Market (the city’s central market,) Liberation Square (memorial to three Ghanaians who were shot during colonial times,) the tropical gardens, the Art Centre (for shopping and cultural events,) the
