a magazine for travelers by travelers • may/ june 2013 GHANA GHANA’s onlY FREE keyvisitor’s guide VOLTA REGION DISCOVER GHANA’s opulent lush CHART YOUR VEGETATION & beautiful mountain RANGES P. 20 CULTURE COURSE P. 5 AND… Jojo Abot: Black Star p. 11 WoodinMothersDayAd.pdf 1 4/3/13 11:48 AM Key Ghana • volume 9 / 2013 may & june CONTENTS 5 24 CHART YOUR DINING INDEX CULTURE COURSE From fine dining to street We introduce you to seven food in Accra venues to give you a head start–but don’t stop there. 26 SHOPPING INDEX C 9 From neighborhood M COMING EVENTS markets to unique boutiques Y Discover Accra’s music, performing arts, galleries, CM 28 sports etc. MY ACCOMMODATION 16 CY INDEX MAP Luxury to budget hotels CMY Explore Accra and holiday rentals K This travel map includes streets & locations 31 TRANSPORTATION 18 BEYOND ACCRA INDEX Discover the Volta Region, unique wildlife, historical monuments Key Ghana LTD and so much more. keyGHANA P.O. Box AT 517 22 Achimota - Accra, Ghana EMMANUEL ARTHUR, Publisher ENTERTAINMENT [email protected] INDEX LAURE LEPLAE-ARTHUR, Creative Discover Accra’s many Director - [email protected] NANA NKETSIA-ESHUN, Country Rep. Tel: 0302 762576; 0245 251404 • Fax: 021 762379 venues for music, film & & Accounts Executive, nnketsia@ E-mail:[email protected] or [email protected] theater ghanakey.com GHANAKEY.COM Box LA 348, La, Accra • artistsallianz.com This magazine is authorized by OPENING HOURS: KEY MAGAZINES INC. Monday – Saturday : 9.00am - 6:00pm www.KeyMagazine.com Sunday: 12noon - 6:00pm or by appointment The Republic Bar + Grill p. 22 Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum & Museum Central What is it: An obligatory visit for history buffs. Dr. Nkrumah serves as a loose approximation of George Washington for Ghana and developed a Pan- African consciousness. This museum is an introduction to this important figure. The museum is a great source of information, including photos of Nkrumah with a wide range of world leaders, his books, his clothing, and artifacts from various stages of his life. The Mausoleum is quite striking as are the fountains and statues in front of it. Highlight: Stroll through and enjoy the beautiful park and fountain! GHANAKEY.COM 5 National Independence University of National Theatre Jamestown Artists Alliance Museum of Square Ghana of Ghana Lighthouse Gallery Ghana Central Legon Central Jamestown La Central What is it: Independence What is it: Located What is it: With a three What is it: Jamestown What is it: Situated on What is it: Established Square is a parade about 12km from the tier entrance hall and a is a part of old Accra. La beach road this is a in 1957, by the Duchess ground with the capacity center of Accra, it is the three tier auditorium that Picturesque houses gem of a gallery full to of Kent, on the eve of to accommodate 30,000 oldest and largest of the seats 1492 people, this cluster together around a the brim with artistic Ghana’s Independence. people. Independence seven Ghanaian public elegant and imposing sea cliff with James fort expression. Three floors This museum houses Arch was erected in 1961 universities. Originally, theatre, from a distance, on top. Narrow footpaths of art, sculpture, carvings fascinating exhibits for the visit of Queen in 1948 an affiliate looks like a gigantic ship along the houses lead and artifacts, definitely a from the country’s pre- Elizabeth II, four years college of the University or a seagull spreading down to the sea and are haven for anyone looking historic past to colonial after Ghana was the of London, it gained its wings. It has three lined with locals working to be inspired or simply antiquities to exhibits of first African country to full university status resident groups: the with fishing nets while enjoy some phenomenal contemporary African art. achieve independence. in 1961, and now has National Symphony the children play. Fishing work. It showcases In the ethnography gallery The Black Star on top nearly 30,000 students. Orchestra, the National boats line the coastline. traditional crafts, such as find indigenous musical of Independence Arch Set in beautiful gardens, Dance Company and This is a great place to Ashanti drums and masks instruments, stools, is a symbol of African including a striking the National Drama witness how ordinary as well as contemporary pottery as well as Ashanti freedom. In fact, botanical garden. It has Company and is an people are in their Ghanaian art. gold weights used to Independence Square the biggest library in important national center everyday life. Highlight: Admire the determine the value of was originally called Ghana and is regarded as for the performing of arts. Highlight: Climb to the elaborately carved and goods. Black Star Square. one of the best in West Highlight: Cathc one of top of the Lighthouse painted coffins, fashioned Highlight: Don’t miss the Highlight: Enjoy the Africa. Open to visitors. their many shows like for a great view of the into shapes like cars, outdoor sculpture garden. welcome breeze, as you Highlight: Browse the guitarist Thibault Cauvin colorful fishing harbour. crabs, Nike shoes... stroll through the massive bookshop where you will on May 8 (see page 10) open space. find great local novels, and language books. 6 GHANAKEY.COM GHANAKEY.COM 7 MAY - JUNE coming events Afro Jazz Festival AFRICA HASH 2013! June 7-9 Cape Coast Includes a Red Dress Run on Friday at 4pm. On Saturday and Sunday there will be the choice of four run sites. Each will have options for runners and walkers. There will even be an “old Farts Stroll.” LATITUDE - 9 CONTEMPORARY SHORT FILMS FROM AFRICA MAY 4-10 May 9 Alliance Française Accra Goethe Institute. Afro Jazz as defined and pioneered by the late Kofi Ghana- This unique series ba aka Guy Warren is the blend of African rhythms with the of films represents a more westernized jazz played with western instruments. unique perspective, of This festival features concerts spread over one week at the what engages young Alliance Française Accra, National Theatre, New Morning African filmmakers Center and +233 Jazz Bar & Grill. across the continent. GHANAKEY.COM 9 EVENTS- MUSIC EVENTS- MUSIC 7 Vocal Science and on the Ghanaian music and many more. psychology of perfor- scene. She combines her Adults 20Ghc / AF Stu- mance with Bibie Brew impressive vocal talent dents & Members 10Ghc Professional workshop with immersive jazz and Alliance Française, 8pm with award-winning soul blended with African Ghanaian international rhythm and form. Since s Fête de la Musique recording artist. the 2012 concert at Akablay, Musical Magi- Free for selected par- Alliance française, her cian With various bands ticipants, 9am-5pm, New collection has grown and throughout the day, Morning Centre, Tesano she has performed at the this event is open to all. E.L. LIVE at Alliance Française Accra ChaleWote Street Art Fes- Akablay is a Ghanaian 8 Thibault Cauvin, Dela Botri tival, Indie Fuse, and most guitarist, traditional instru- recently the prestigious MUSIC Kyekyeku & Guests q Dela Botri & Sabine mentalist (Asolo, Kpayala, annual Rotary Ball at the Thibault Cauvin is defi- Boyer Dondo) and composer Mövenpick Ambassador nitely one of the world’s This concert will be the who was awarded the best Enjoy Ghana’s many styles of traditional and Hotel, all in line with the most talented, charismatic finale of a 10-day collabo- instrumentalist at the Gha- aim of immersing herself modern music, coming from a multiplicity of and sought-after guitarists. ration between Dela Botri, na Music Awards 2009. into her art and the Accra Thibault has developed multi-talented Ghanaian From an ordinary village ethnic groups & its geographic position in Africa. music scene. a unique style, making musician who plays Jazz, boy to a modern guitarist Adults 10Ghc / Students him what he is today: an Traditional and Folk music and composer, this guitar- ambassador of the revival and Members 5Ghc Brass Band and Dzidudu as well as a number of ists mainly derives his May of the classical guitar. He Alliance Française, 8pm Band will perform while traditional instruments music from the Kundum fully combines the quality the audience enjoys including the flute; and festival of the Nzema tribe and beauty of the instru- from the western part of the Yáala art exhibition Sabine Boyer, a French June 4-w Afro Jazz ment with extraordinary (Walk) around tro-tros, an flutist.Adults 10 Ghc / Stu- Ghana and blends it with Festival 2013 passion. exhibition of drawings and dents & Members 5 Ghc rhythms from eastern Afro Jazz defines music Adults 20Ghc / Students paintings and a film pro- Alliance Française, 8pm 1 Africa thereby producing produced by the late Kofi and Members 5Ghc E.L. LIVE at the jection by Burkinabe artist a unique genre of music Ghanaba aka Guy Warren National Theatre, 8pm Alliance Française Hyacinthe Ouattara. which he calls Kundum after the success of the E.L. grew up in Danso- music. bestselling album Africa 9 Savanah Breeze man, Accra. He started Free, 5-8 pm, Alliance Speaks, America Answers. Quartet, Kunle Ayo and rapping in Junior Second- Française - compound + The maiden edition of the All-Star Jam Session ary School, composing main stage in the evening Afro Jazz Festival pays Jam Session at the re- tracks in Senior Second- tribute to this great son nowned Jazz Club ary School and often skip- of Africa through various Adults 10Ghc / Students ping classes in the univer- events in Accra. and Members 5Ghc sity to record songs in his Opening: May 4, from +233 Bar & Grill, 8pm Jojo Abot bedroom. He developed a 4pm, concert 8pm, Vari- musical style fusing R&B, Thibault Cauvin o Jojo Abot: Black ous places in Accra & at Star – A Heritage Tale hip-hop and alternative 6-7 Master Class Alliance Française.