Ghana's History:

Accra - Fishermen and their pirogues crowd the harbor-->

Ghana may not have West Africa's most dramatic scenery nor the region's best collection of wild animals. But the country once known as the Gold Coast has other assets that are as good as gold: lovely beaches, lively nightlife, good roads, a variety of landscapes and some of the friendliest people on the continent. In short, Ghana is a safe, beguiling introduction to West Africa.

While much of the continent seems to be falling apart, Ghana has managed not merely to retain a strong sense of national identity, but actually to boost its economy and infrastructure. Once a center of the slave trade, Ghana was also the first modern African country to win its independence -- giving it a headstart in nation-building. The people of Ghana are well educated and proud of their country -- it has good schools, a thriving press and one of the highest economic growth rates on the continent.