Ghana 2017

Discovery Tour Itinerary and Information

I N T E R N AT I O N A L N E E D S C A N A D A

GHANACapital City: Accra Official Language: English Population: 26 MillionMain Religion: Christianity, Islam and indigenous beliefs

Ghana is a West African country, bordered by the Ivory Coast in the west, Burkina Faso in the north, Togo in the east and the Atlantic Ocean in the south. Ghana’s 26 million people live in 238,535 square km of land featuring savannas, woodlands, forests, a coastal line, springs, cave systems, mountains, estuaries, wildlife parks, and nature reserves.

The country is named after the ancient empire of Ghana, from which the ancestors of the inhabitants of the present country are thought to have migrated. Formerly a British colony known as the Gold Coast it was led to independence by Dr. Kwame Nkrumah on the 6th of March, 1957. Ghana became the first African nation in sub-Saharan Africa to achieve independence from colonial rule.

Ghana is a major producer of petroleum and natural gas, one of the world's largest gold and diamond producers, and is poised to become the largest producer of cocoa in the world.

Country Background Information

The official language of Ghana is English, spoken by 67.1% of the population. The population of Ghana is divided into some 75 ethnic groups with over 75 ethnic languages. About 70 percent of the total population lives in the southern half of the country. The most numerous peoples are the coastal Fanti, and the Ashanti, who live in central Ghana, both of whom belong to the Akan family. The Accra plains are inhabited by the Ga-Adangbe. Most of the inhabitants in the northern region belong to the Moshi-Dagomba or to the Gonja group.

Despite key accomplishments--regarded as the seventh best governed country in Africa and one of only five on the continent to have a free press—Ghana faces many significant social and economic challenges, particularly in rural areas. Lack of clean drinking water is a major challenge particularly in the upper regions. Boreholes and piped water help to eradicate guinea worm and a variety of waterborne diseases. In addition to this, lack of electricity is a problem in many small villages. Youth education—sex education and promoting schooling for girls-- is helping to control the spread of HIV/AIDS. However, child labour and sexual exploitation of children are major obstacles that require significant interventions.

Cape Coast Castle: Most historians believe that Cape Coast Castle was originally built as a small trading lodge which was subsequently added to and enlarged until it became a fortification. In 1637 the lodge was occupied by the Dutch. Then, in 1652, it was captured by the Swedes, who named it Fort Carolusburg. In 1664, Cape Coast Castle became the headquarters in Africa of the entire English/British involvement in the transatlantic trafficking of Africans. Slaves were kept at Cape Coast Castle in dungeons while awaiting transport to the new world. Over 12 million slaves were shipped out of Africa to supply labour to the New World, and several million died along the way. It stands as one of the greatest migrations-although a forced migration-of humans ever in history.

Trokosi Practice: Trokosi is a powerful traditional religious cult which involves young virgin girls being sent to ‘fetish shrines’. Trokosi priests require them as payment to the gods for wrongs committed by the girl’s family. The girl is imprisoned in the shrine and will spend the rest of her life in servitude. The girl will have no opportunity for education or to learn a trade; any child born to a Trokosi woman becomes another worker in the shrine. International Needs has been working in this area since 1987 and so far have seen an estimated 3,500 Trokosi women and their children liberated and rehabilitated.

Discovery Tour Itinerary

SATURDAY JANUARY 21Depart Toronto to Ghana.

SUNDAY JANUARY 22Arrive in Accra and overnight at Sunlodge Hotel.

MONDAY JANUARY 23Briefing at International Needs Ghana head office. Visit project participants at their shops under Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children project (CSES). Lunch & Visit International Needs Ghana first School (Amrahia Community School) and meet sponsored children.

TUESDAY JANUARY 24Travel to Cape Coast Slave Castle (learn more about the Slave Castle on page 3) and Kakum National Park.Travel to Winneba, rest and dinner. Overnight at Windy Bay Hotel.

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 25Interact with Community Child protection committee and learning groups (Growing Up Free project, in Winneba, where child labour practices have been intercepted). Travel to Accra, rest and dinner. Overnight at Sunlodge Hotel.

THURSDAY JANUARY 26Travel to Adidome and visit International Needs Vocational Training Centre (INVTC). Meet the women at the Centre who are participating in the Ghana Skill Development Initiative and Women's Empowerment Program. Adidome Guesthouse, rest and lunch.

FRIDAY JANUARY 27Visit Mepe Community School and Lasivenu Community School.Visit Kebenu Shrine to interact with the priest of the shrine and the village elders (learn more about the Trokosi Practice on page 3).

SATURDAY JANUARY 28Depart Adidome to Accra. Stop at Africa Craft market for shoppingOvernight Sunlodge Hotel.

SUNDAY JANUARY 29Church service at International Needs Ghana church plant in Doblogono.Lunch and packing. Debriefing at Landing Restaurant. Depart Accra for home.

MONDAY JANUARY 30Arrive in Toronto.

January 21 - 30 2017

CLIMATETropical/Warm: Hot and humid in the Southwest and hot and dry in the North.

ACCOMMODATIONSSunlodge Hotel, Windy Bay Hotel and Adidome Guest House.

ELECTRICITY220/240 Volts - You will need an adaptor and converter.

PHOTOGRAPHYPlease do not photograph people without first asking their permission to do so. Sometimes a small tip is appropriate, though not at the schools and village’s that we are visiting. Do not take photos in airports or customs and immigration areas.

MEALSAll meals are provided. Be wary of eating salads, street food and undercooked meat.

WATERYou will be provided with bottled water at all times. Make sure that the bottle is properly sealed before using. Please do not use tap water for brushing teeth.

DRESS CODENO shorts & NO spaghetti straps. Modest dress while visiting in the village or school. Skirts need to be over the knee, capris and pants are fine. You should have a pair of comfortable and closed in walking shoes.

Jewellery. Leave all expensive and fancy jewelry at home. You are there to see – not to be seen. It is also offensive for the many disadvantaged people that you will meet – to walk around with flashy jewellery.

MEDICAL INSURANCEExtended medical insurance must be purchased at time of booking. Usually a package of cancellation and medical is less expensive than purchasing individual insurance. You must have extended medical coverage over and above provincial medical coverage. Cancellation insurance is optional.

VACCINATIONSPlease book an appointment with your health care provider or travel clinic to receive necessary vaccinations before travelling.

Discovery Tour Information & Conditions

PERSONAL MEDICATIONSPack personal medications in your carry-on luggage and NOT in your checked baggage, in their original containers.

CURRENCYGhana: 1 Canadian dollar = 3.7 Ghana Cedi 1 United States dollar = 3.9 Ghana Cedi

MONEY FOR PERSONAL ITEMSPlease have some US dollar for exchange for your transactions. International Needs Ghana staff will facilitate currency exchange at arrival. For security reasons, please avoid the use of credit cards for your transaction.

TIPPINGIt is appropriate to leave a small tip ($1 US a day) for the cleaning staff at your hotel. If and when your luggage is brought to your hotel room by a staff person, please tip $1 US per bag.

IDENTIFICATIONRemember that you are traveling outside of Canada and you will need a valid passport, valid for at least 6 months after the date of your return.

AIRPORT BAGGAGE HANDLERSIn Accra keep track of your own bags as there are many baggage handlers who will offer to carry it for you. They charge a lot and the distance is not far, so no need to hand off your luggage in the airports.

BAGGAGE RESTRICTIONSInternational Flights: 2 bags at 23 kilograms each.

TOURIST VISAGhana: $100 CAD(Application information will be sent after booking the flight).

DEPOSITA non-refundable deposit of $500.00 Canadian dollars per person is due upon confirmation of your reservation. Your next payments are due as instructed on the application form. Prices are guaranteed only with full payment as taxes and Fuel Surcharges can be implemented by airlines until full payment is received.

International Needs Canada210-4031 Fairview St., Burlington, ON L7L 2A4

Tel: 905.637.9411 Toll Free: 1.888.702.9805www.internationalneeds.ca

CANCELLATION FEESAll monies are 100 % non-refundable at all times or as stated in the terms provided by the airlines. We highly recommend you purchase cancellation insurance to cover yourself in case of illness by you or a family member.

RESPONSIBILITYInternational Needs and the Travel Agent have made arrangements and act solely as agents for such services and cannot be held responsible for the acts or omissions on the part of suppliers. They are not liable for any injury, damage, default of any firm or person engaged in conveying passengers, carrying out travel arrangements, strikes, war, or any other causes beyond their control.

TOUR PRICEFrom Toronto: $3595 CAD per person.Add-on fares available most Canadian cities. Airlines have the option to increase taxes and add fuel surcharges until fares are paid in full.

TOUR PRICE INCLUDES• Round trip air transportation.• Daily breakfast, lunch and dinner.• Airport transfers.• Tours and sightseeing as

per itinerary.• Accommodations and taxes.• Service charges.• All on-ground transportation.

TOUR PRICE DOESN'T INCLUDED• Tourist visa for Ghana.• Vaccinations and medications

recommended by your travel clinic or medical care provider.

• Items of a personal nature• Tips.• Meals and beverages while in transit.• Cancellation & Medical Insurance.• Extra baggage.

EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATIONDarlene Mouris at Earth Trek Unlimited TravelOffice hours call: 506.854.2451 After hours and weekends: 506.869.0436

FOR MORE INFORMATIONContact Festus Addei at International Needs CanadaOffice: 905.637.9411 or 1.888.702.9805 | Email: sponsorship@internationalneeds.ca

Discovery Tour Information & Conditions