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Home , Akwasidae Festival, Ashanti people, Bantama, Kumasi Airport

African School of Physics / African Grid School 2012

July 15 – Aug 4 / Aug 6 – Aug 8 at

Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

Table of Contents

Visa & Immunization Requirements… p. 3 Transportation… p. 4 Accommodation… p. 6 Food & Catering… p. 7 Excursions… p. 8 Budget from LOC… p. 12

Further information and references for the lecturers can be found under the Practical Info and Lecturer’s Corner tabs on the ASP2012 website: http://africanschoolofphysics.web.cern.ch/AfricanSchoolofPhysics/asp2012

Contact Julia Gray for questions that cannot be answered via the website or this packet: [email protected]

2 Visa & Immunization Requirements

Visa requirements for US and EU citizens

Entry visa required for all non-ECOWAS, Kenyan, Malay, and Singaporean nationals

For US citizens - Single entry visa: $60 Application information: http://www.ghanaembassy.org/index.php?page=visas

For EU citizens - Application done by country; see requirement for yours

Official Ghanian government site on visa requirements http://www.ghana.gov.gh/index.php/ghana-visa-regulations/113-ghana-visa- regulations-entry-requirements

Vaccinations

Required (10 days prior to travel) Yellow Fever

Recommended (suggested 4-6 weeks prior to travel) Typhoid Polio Hepatitis A Hepatitis B Meningitis (travel December-June) Rabies

Medications

Required Malaria Prophylaxis, chloroquine resistant area

Recommended Anti-diarrhea (over the counter) DEET based bug spray (over 20% concentration)

Additional information http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/ghana.htm

3 Transportation

Getting to Ghana:

Fly to Ghana’s Kotoka International (ACC) in the capitol, . Booking this far in advance not suggested. Flights may be cheaper closer ~1 month from departure date.

Price Estimate for Flight from Chicago, IL US and Geneva CH to Accra GH Route 1 month out Best Carrier Late July/ early Aug Best Carrier From ORD to ACC 1000-2350USD United 1600-2350USD Iberia From GVA to ACC 900-1450USD EgyptAir 900-1500USD EgyptAir

Suggested transit from Accra to : Air

The organizers of the school have arranged a special reduced rate for flights from ACC to KMS () from 100USD to 90USD.

There are three major city-hoppers: Citilink, Antrak, and Fly540Africa. All are under 100USD one way. City hoppers generally operate in the morning and afternoon only. Flight time is 35-45 minutes.

4

Transit from airport to hotel: car service

Noda Hotel provides transfer from airport to hotel. From their website: The host(ess) meets the clients at the exit of the plane, escorting them through immigration, luggage claim, customs and introducing them to the driver.

The hotel can also arrange for car rental service, either with chauffer or self-drive. They can also arrange tourist excursions and transportation.

Transit from hotel to University: shuttle service

Arranged by organizers. Fee is 1USD per diem.

Field Trips

Transportation for field trips has been arranged by the organizers for 30USD per participant per excursion. There are two planned excursions during the school: one on July 21st and one on Aug 4th. Details of excursions TBA.

5 Accomodation

There are two recommended accommodations in Accra and in Kumasi each at a special negotiated rate for lecturers.

Accra

In case lecturers arrive in Accra in the evening (after 5pm) and cannot connect to Kumasi until the morning, accommodation at a hotel or guest house can be arranged for the night through the organizers. The special guest house rate for lecturers is reduced from 120USD to 60USD, and the hotel in Accra is 120USD.

Kumasi

There are two suggested venues for accommodation in Kumasi: the Noda Hotel and a guest house on KNUST campus.

Information for the Noda Hotel can be found here: http://www.nodahotel.com/home.php

It is suggested that those who would like to stay at the Noda Hotel should make their reservations through Dr. Peter Amoako-Yirenkyi ([email protected]) for the special lecturer reduced rate from 100USD to 60USD per night. The guest house is priced down from 50USD to 30USD.

There are currently 20 rooms in the guest house and 15 rooms at the hotel reserved. Not many spaces have been filled as of yet, but they can go quickly.

6

Food and Catering

Ghanaian cuisine typically centers around a starchy staple accompanied with a sauce or soup cooked with fish, meat, snails, or mushrooms. The sauces and soups include many spices and vegetables. Palm oil, peanut oil, and shea butter are commonly used in cooking or frying.

Anyone with special dietary needs should contact the LOC via Dr. Peter Amoako-Yirenkyi ([email protected]).

Breakfast

The price of breakfast is included in the hotel price.

Lunch

Lunch is provided by the organizers at a reduced rate from 20USD to 10USD for the lecturers.

Dinner

Dinner is not provided. The hotel/guest house will make food upon request based on their menus and pricing. There are also restaurants outside campus within Kumasi. Recommendations can be made by Dr. Peter Amoako-Yirenkyi as needed.

Coffee Break

During the coffee breaks, there will be coffee, tea, and chocolate drinks along with cookies, pastry, and biscuits available. The price for beverages and snacks is 5USD per diem.

Other Snacks

There will be refreshments planned during the excursions.

7 Excursions

Kumasi is the capitol of Ghana’s region. The have a long and rich history. The Ashanti kingdom was founded in the 1670s and wielded much power and influence in . They won their independence from British rule in 1926 after resisting colonization until 1900 through skilled and organized fighting over repeated unsuccessful British attacks. They still remain influential over Ghana today.

The tale of the formation of the kingdom is recounted in the legend of “The ”.

Field Trips

There are two excursions planned during the school, one on July 21st and one on Aug 4th. Transportation has been arranged for 30USD per participant per excursion. The details of these excursions are to be announced; they are out of Kumasi town.

Things To See And Do

Things to see and do in the of Ghana

• Kumasi Zoo • Centre for National Cultural • Suame Magazine • Mines • Ehwia Wood Carvers • Bonwire Kente Weavers • Adawnomase Kente Weavers • Pottery • Atonsu Carves • Dam • Krofrom Brass Casting • Besease Shrine • Asuofua & Asamang Beads Making

Kumasi Central Market Largest market in West Africa

Fort Kumasi Built by the British in 1896 to replace an Asante fort and now a military museum

George Ferguson's Tomb George Ekem Ferguson was a Ghanaian colonial agent who was instrumental in

8 convincing local chiefs to sign treaties of friendship with the British. He was later (1897) killed by slave raiders, but his tomb is preserved in Wa.

Komfo Anokye Sword The 'unmovable' Sword of the Komfo Anokye remains in the grounds of the Teaching Hospital, where he pushed it. It is believed the Okomfo pronounced that no one would be able to remove the sword, and so it has remained in spite of many attempts.

Royal Mausoleums These final resting places of Ashanti Royalty can be seen at and Breman and may be visited with consent of the .

The Crafts of Ashanti The crafts villages surrounding Kumasi include: Bonwire - (18km NE of Kumasi) Kente weaving Pankrono- (3km N of Kumasi) Pottery Ahwiaa (6km N of Kumasi) Wood carvings Ntonso - Adinkra cloth making Asuofia/Asamang (Barakese Road) bead making Ampabame Krofrom (10km from Ahodwo) Brass smithing, Goldsmiths and Silversmiths can be seen in Kumasi.

Patakro shrine Pankrono is located 8 km on Road. Renowned for its distinctive and colourful pottery created through transitional process without the use of the potter’s wheel.

Bobiri Butterfly Sanctuary Located 20km on the Kumasi - Accra highway, a quiet research centre for the Forestry Research Institute showcasing an arboretum, forest hiking trails and a butterfly sanctuary. Lodging, guiding and interpretative materials are available

Bomfobiri Wildlife Sanctuary About 80km northeast of Kumasi. The reserve showcases a rare tropical landscape, vibrant waterfall and a wide variety of bird and animal life. Assistance and clearance is available at the Wildlife Division Office.

Digya National Park Occupying 3.478 square kilometres of undulating terrain on the western shore of the Volta Lake. Made up of predominately Guinea Savannah Woodland and gallery forest along the major rivers, complete with sandstone inselbergs. Has at least six primate species, black and white colobus monkeys and baboons, elephants and a variety of antelope species, crocodiles, buffalos, water bucks, hartebeests, warthogs, Manatee and clawless otters and are also reported to be present.

Kogyae Strict This nature reserve protects about five species of monkey.

9 Owabi Forest Reserve and Bird Sanctuary Formerly, Kumasi’s only source of drinking water was the Owabi River, located to the west of the city. When the river was dammed to create a reservoir, the resulting watershed extended deep into the city’s nearby . The reservoir and forest have since become the natural habitat for many species of the region's wildlife, as well as for a number of migratory birds.

Lake Bosomtwi It is located 31km southeast of Kumasi. A picturesque meteorite Crater Lake surrounded by dozens of virgin fishing and farming villages. The Lake Basin is ideal for mountaineering, diving, swimming and relaxation. Accessible by road from Kumasi.

The Prempeh II Jubilee Museum Located in the Centre for National Culture ground, the museum houses a fascinating collection of Ashanti History such as memorabilia of Okomfo Anokye, including the 300 years old antique treasure bag which he forbade anyone to open.

Manhyia Palace and Museum This is the official residence of the Asantehene. Its large courtyard and museum hold statues of past great kings and queens of the Asante Kingdom.

Ghana Armed Forces Museum This Museum exhibits materials that primarily concern the British- Ashanti war of 1900, World War II and Ghana’s recent military history. On display are maps, old photographs, and military regalia.

The Akwasidae Ceremony The Adae Kese Festival is a very important, albeit rare, celebration of the Ashanti's. It is held in a large open space in Kumasi. The festival is normally well attended and embraced by Ashanti's from all walks of life. The Adae Kese celebrations are magnified forms of Sunday Adae festivals, celebrated every six weeks in accordance with the Akan calendar which is based on a cycle of 42 days and nine months in a year. Invariably, the last is set aside for the celebration of Adae Kese. The public celebrations take the form of a colourful durbar of chiefs and queen mothers presided over by the Asantehene. It involves the display of cherished regalia and paraphernalia accompanied by traditional drumming and dancing as well as firing of musketry amidst pomp and pageantry. *There is an Akwasidae ceremony 08-7-12 and 19-08-12. Dates difficult to confirm*

Festivals throughout Ghana in late July – early August

Asafotu-Fiam Festival "Asafotufiam" is an annual warrior's festival celebrated by the people of Ada, in the from the last Thursday of July to the first weekend of August. It

10 commemorates the victories of the warriors in battle and those who fell on the battlefield. To re-enact these historic events, the "warrior" dresses in traditional battle dress and stage a mock battle. This is also a time when the young men are introduced to warfare. The festival also ushers in the harvest cycle, for this special customs and ceremonies are performed. These include purification ceremonies. The celebration reaches its climax in a durbar of chiefs, a colouful procession of the Chiefs in palanquins with their retinue. They are accompanied by traditional military groups called "Asafo Companies" amidst drumming, singing and dancing through the streets and on to the durbar grounds. At the durbar, greetings are exchanged between the chiefs, libations are poured and declarations of allegiance made.

Homowo Festival This is a harvest festival celebrated by the people of the Ga Traditional Area, in the Greater Accra Region. It originated from a period of great famine which was eventually followed by a bumper harvest in grain and fish. Thus, the word "Homowo", literally means "hooting at hunger". The main highlight of this month-long festival is the special dish prepared from ground corn, steamed and mixed with palm oil and eaten with palmnut soup. Prayers for a peaceful and prosperous year are offered. Each Ga chief is followed by a retinue with drumming, dancing and singing through his area where he sprinkles some of the special dish called "kpokpoi" and pours libation. It is merry-making for Gas, and visitors in particular are invited home to join in the feasting.

Kundum Festival Kundum is celebrated from August to November by the 's coastal tribes, the Ahantas and Nzemas. Beginning in August, the festival moves west from Takoradi to town after town at weekly intervals. Rituals include purification of the stools and prayers to the ancestors for a good harvest. Traditional drumming and dancing feature prominently.

11 Budget from LOC

Original Cost Reduced Cost Days (USD)/person (USD)/person Accommodation Guest House 120 60 1 (Accra) Hotel (Accra) 120 120 1 Guest House 50 30 25 (Kumasi) Hotel (Kumasi) 100 60 25 Transportation Accra-Kumasi/ 100 90 1 Air Kumasi-Accra/ 100 90 1 Air Field Trip 30 30 2 Inside Campus 1 1 25 Catering Service Breakfast 0 0 25 Lunch 20 10 25 Dinner - - 25 Snacks 5 5 25 Banquet 25 15 1

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