Summary

The author recounts their personal connection and experiences in Ada Foah, Ghana, which stands out as their top choice for the letter "A" in an alphabetical list of favorite travel destinations.

Abstract

The article is a personal narrative by an author who has decided to share their favorite travel destinations in an alphabetical series, beginning with "A" for Ada Foah in Ghana. The author fondly recalls their time living in Accra, Ghana, in the mid-90s, but chooses Ada Foah, located at the mouth of the Volta River, as their premier "A" destination. They describe the area's natural beauty, including sandy islands, palm trees, and a lack of mass tourism, and share memories of spending time at a friend's cottage and another friend's house on a sandy island in the estuary. The author emphasizes the estuary's scenic views, pleasant weather, and potential for tourist activities such as boating and beach relaxation, while also highlighting the presence of a local beach bar. The piece is punctuated with personal photographs and a call to visitors to experience Ada Foah's charm firsthand, suggesting that the full appreciation of the location comes from being there in person.

Opinions

The author has a deep personal affection for Ada Foah, considering it a hidden gem for travelers.
They value the estuary's natural beauty and the tranquility that comes from its relative isolation from mainstream tourism.
The author appreciates the hospitality of friends who provided access to unique accommodations in the area.
They believe that the estuary's environment, including the weather and scenery, is particularly conducive to relaxation and enjoyment.
The presence of a beach bar and various tourist activities, such as boat cruises, are seen as appealing features of Ada Foah.
The author is critical of the plastic waste that accumulates on the beach, indicating a concern for environmental issues.
They suggest that the true essence of Ada Foah can only be fully appreciated through a personal visit and direct experience of the locale.

A is for … Ada Foah

Starting to list my favourite travel destinations, A-Z

A typical scene at Ada — beach and palm trees. And a lovely lack of tourist hordes :). © Ron Smit, 2006

After reading so many of my co-writers’ recollections about their alphabetically arranged travels, I’m finally biting the bullet to start my list as well.

I could have started with “A for Accra”, since that city is where I started my international life, after leaving South Africa in the mid-90s. I was posted there as a manager by my South Africa-based company and my wife and I moved there with our young family during the last days of 1994.

The move from the outskirts of Johannesburg, in the dry highlands of South Africa (actually, based on a watershed) to a city on the western coast of the content, was also a watershed moment for us. But I will leave my more philosophical thoughts for another post.

Also, while we loved living in Accra, we would never consider it a typical tourist location. No, to start my alphabet of favourite destinations, we need to go somewhat to the East of that city, to the mouth of the Volta River, to Ada Foah.

The location of Ada Foah, at the mouth of the Volta River, reaching the Gulf of Guinea in the Atlantic Ocean. Screenshot taken from Google Maps: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Ada+Foah,+Ghana/@7.291482,-3.9688935,6.5z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x102101d04911c01f:0xa4cc77d374294cfa!8m2!3d5.7796907!4d0.6180479

The Volta is one of the major rivers on this continent and when it reaches the ocean, it has conspired with the currents to create an estuary with lots of sandy islands populated by palm trees, small fishing villages, and a few spots to lure tourists.

During our first stay in Accra, for 6 years or so, we befriended a large crowd of very diverse people, from all walks of life and from many countries.

One of these families worked for a company that owned a cottage on the Volta River, just upstream of the river mouth. We spent many Sundays there, fooling about with boats on the river, and even into the sea.

Another of our friends, someone from the Middle East who had made Ghana his home for decades already (and I think he’s still there) had built a house on one of the sandy islands in the estuary. They are very hospitable people and we visited that island a couple of times.

Nice house on an island in the Volta estuary. © Ron Smit, 2006

It’s very useful to have friends like this! (Not only because they have holiday homes in exotic places, by the way.)

My family and I lived in Ghana from late 1994 to early 2001, then we moved to The Netherlands, where the views are very different from what I show here!

So, when I got an opportunity to head up another project in Ghana, in 2005, I leapt at the chance for another stint there. It also provided more opportunities to visit Ada, of course.

Nice view, great weather, waiting for tourists. © Ron Smit, 2006

… even a beach bar that served cold beer! © Ron Smit, 2006

Lots of attractions on offer. Boat cruising is so fantastic, it had to be mentioned three times. Tour guides tend to morph into “Friendship contacts” if you give them half a chance. © Ron Smit, 2006

Our middle son, then hardly of drinking age, showing off his cold Savanna Dry (cider) on the beach at the ocean side. Along with a lot of plastic that gets washed up every day, yech. © Ron Smit, 2006

I’ve given you a tiny taste of a really fantastic location. To truly experience it fully, however, you really need to go there yourself, relish in the hot sun and the somewhat cooling breeze, smell the salty air, and just relax.

Here’s a view from a hammock that might inspire you to do so:

Looking upwards from my hammock. © Ron Smit, 2006