Soccer, the king of sports
Soccer is the most popular sport in Ghana (the birthplace of French world champion Marcel Desailly), and many Ghanaian players have played in Europe since Abedi Pelé in the 1990s, who was voted African Ballon d'Or three times and brought joy to Olympique de Marseille in the Tapie years. Since then, Michael Essien, Asamoah Gyan, John Mensah and the Ayew brothers (sons of... Abedi Pelé!) have made the colors of Ghana and its national team, the Black Stars, shine. In 2010, they became the first African team to reach the quarter-finals of the World Cup.
Boxing, an ancestral art
The appearance of Ghanaian champions on the international scene in the 1980s and 1990s led to the development of the sport on the Gold Coast, but there are also traces of combat sports in the country's distant history. The Ga ethnic group has long practicedasafo atwele, an indigenous collective martial art. Following English colonization, this sport gradually disappeared, to be replaced by English boxing. From the 1930s onwards, the fusion of boxing andasafo atwele gave Ghanaian athletes their own fighting style, particularly visible in the smaller categories. It's no coincidence that the greatest Ghanaian boxing champion of all time, Azumah Nelson, won the featherweight and super featherweight categories. He retained his world championship crown between 1984 and 1994 (28 knockouts in 46 fights).
Farniente and swimming
Today, sand, palm trees and the ocean attract many tourists to Ghana. With its hotel infrastructure, beach resorts and restaurants, Ghana's pretty coastline, with its breathtaking climate, is the perfect setting for a seaside holiday, even if the sea is often dangerous. As the bar is quite high in Ghana, it's best to take maximum precautions. The safest spots are on the west coast, which is very indented, with numerous capes framing calm waters. Recommended beaches include, from west to east: Axim, Busua, the coastline between Sekondi and Takoradi, then between Elmina and Cape Coast, and between Biriwa and Winneba. Then comes Accra's favorite beach, Fetteh, followed by Accra beaches such as LA Beach and, finally, Paradise Beach, Prampram, Ada and Keta. Please note that bathing in rivers, as well as in lakes Volta and Bosumtwi, should be avoided due to bilharzia.
On land, a few possibilities
Hiking. Hiking is the main sporting activity for tourists to Ghana. And after a stroll on Mount Afadjato, you can even enjoy a "foot safari", especially in Mole National Park. While in many other African countries, safaris are carried out in a vehicle (usually a 4x4), Ghana often offers them on foot, as the animal populations are never very far from the base or departure camp. For example, the guides at Mole Park rightly explain that it's in Ghana that you can get closer to the elephants than anywhere else. All it takes is a two-hour walk to come face-to-face with the world's largest land mammal. Along the way, you'll also come across birds, antelopes, kobs, baboons, warthogs, buffalo and monkeys. In Kakum National Park, you can also take a 350 m-long canopy walk. Ideal for spotting animals and enjoying this benchmark ornithological area.
Tennis and golf. As in all former British colonies, Ghana has no shortage of golf courses and tennis courts. Accra is home to a number of fine golf courses, including the Achimota Golf Club.
