The following update information relates to chapter 13-16 of the Bradt Guide to Ghana:
CHAPTER 13: BETWEEN THE COAST & KUMASI
There is a much nicer (and even cheaper) way of getting to Obuasi from Kumasi, via the new Kofour buses (nice, new coaches) that can be taken from the “Obuasi station” in Kumasi – its above the main Kajatia station and any taxi driver would know it. I also suggest that you include in the Obuasi section an alternative place to stay. I am currently staying myself in the volunteer house of Adullam Orphanage. Essentially, if you volunteer your time – days, weeks, a year – you can stay at the volunteers home for a small fee. Accommodations are extremely comfortable. You are living with a family but they are extraordinary and so welcoming and accommodating. They charge about $20/day for 3 meals (they are extremely accommodating to the western palette! A nice break!) and accommodation. This money covers the cost of your food and then ALL THE REST goes directly to the children as a means of generating income for the orphanage, and TRUST ME!! THEY NEED IT!! However, they do make arrangements for those who cannot afford the costs and are staying for long. For further information: www.adullamorphanage.org. Tel: 233-24-321-6434. Email: adullamorphanage@hotmail.com or louistimoth@timothy.hotmail.com. Adena Mortkowitz, Sep 07.
CHAPTER 14: KUMASI
KUMASI We were totally freaked out by the market and couldn’t handle it! looking at my notes, we inspected “Tasco’s Guest house” and I have written “vile”. there was some fight going on when we arrived and the pissed manager showed us the hovel. We opted for Guestline lodge in the end, the best of a bad bunch. Leah Dike, March 07.
Four Villages Inn is really as good as its reputation. It looked like they are building more rooms. Kiravi nightclub nice in Kumasi, good for dancing. In Ahwiaa carving village near Kumasi the prices are really inflated. It’s not even nice to go there anymore as they ask really stupid prices spoiling the whole shopping. Bargaining is a part of the culture but that place is beyond good taste. Tiina Heusala, July 07.
Kumasi: I was disappointed by the Guestline Lodge – the internet didn’t work, there was no electricity, the bathrooms were not clean and breakfast was not served early enough in the morning for travellers aiming to get an early bus. Vic Baboo’s on the other hand was great – very nice curries as well as an almost intimidating cocktail list, and the service was some of the quickest I experienced in Ghana. Josie Prynn, Sep 07.
Guest Line Lodge in Kumasi. The staff was so friendly & courteous. The proprietor checked in with us routinely as we passed by. It was very friendly & casual. He helped us multiple nights order in dinner (no restaurant on site) and made certain the condiments my daughter wanted were available. It may seem simple, but it made an already great experience even more enjoyable. Gorham Bowler, Sep 07.
The Moti Mahal, Kumasi’s popular Indian Restaurant, has moved to Top Martins Complex, Asokwa. Charity and Chris Scott, Jan 08.
Latest rates from FOUR VILLAGES INN: single: US$70 or cedi equivalent plus 15% VAT, includes full breakfast, double: US$80, triple(family): US$90, triple(sharing): US100; extra person: US$20.00. High Speed Wireless Internet is now available. One hour is free if you send details to Philip Briggs on your experiences in Ghana for inclusion in the Bradt Update newsletter. Charity and Chris Scott (owners), Jan 08.
Very disappointed with the meals at Lake Point View at Bosomtwe. The snacks were very small and the only dinners available were chicken, fish or prawns in a sauce on a bed of rice or noodles. Vegetarians were very poorly catered for with just a sauce poured on top of the rice or noodles for which they were charged 6 Cedis. They do have a menu but do not actually cook the dinners shown, the only choices stated above are on the blackboard. Pity because otherwise it is a good clean place to stay. I understand the problems facing vegetarians in Ghana but Lake Point View has an Austrian owner and most Europeans cater well for vegetarians. The Austrian owner was not prepared to offer vegetarians any alternative. Janet Tonks. Feb 08.
KUMASI CITY GOLDEN TULIP, a grandiose, western style, four star hotel complex with 160 rooms, opened in January. It is reputed to be owned by Muammar Qaddafy and it’s motto reads “International Taste, Local flavor”. Rates are US$135.00 for a basic single per night, US$155 for a double. Superior rooms go for US$160 for single occupancy per night, double US$180. Rates are inclusive of breakfast, the use of the leisure facilities and 15%VAT/NHIL. Charity and Chris Scott, Feb 08.
Guestline Lodge in Kumasi also had a generator that broke down every ten minutes when I was there. Jack Lord, May 08.
Ecosafe wines and fruit juices, near Kejetia lorry station, has gone out of business. The National Culture Centre has its fair share of kids who ask for biscuits and money but the amount of hangers on outside Vic Baboo’s Café seems to have dropped dramatically. After picking up a leaflet in Vic Baboo’s I tried to follow the tro tro instructions to get to Adanwomase. After two hours in Kejetia Lorry Station, and after asking many helpful people, I was no closer to finding G Line and the tro tro that led to Adanwomase and gave up. Some people said it now departs from a different station. Abigail Herron, Mar 08
Anyone visiting Kumasi check out Friends Garden on the Bekwai Rd. (not to be confused with the Old Bekwai Rd.) just south of the Bekwai Roundabout. They have excellent local and continental dishes, including some great red-red. Though the sign out front claiming they have Ghana’s #1 Pizza is not accurate, we’ve been there several times and haven’t been disappointed by anything we’ve tried. Great atmosphere, friendly service as well as decent restrooms, which is always a plus. Also, the new Golden Tulip Kumasi City Hotel offers public swimming, but for a cool 8 Ghana cedis/person (5 cedis for children), and the pool at the university (KNUST) has recently reopened for public swimming at 5 cedis/person. Veronica LaDuke, Apr 08.
There is an internet centre in Kumasi not yet mentioned in your book. it is called Africa web. This place has been very useful. It is comparable to busy internet in Accra, but i like it place more. They have opened just a few months ago. at present there is an internet cafe (over 60 computers), copy centre and there is also a bank at the down floor and money machine Robert van den Bos, July 08.
KUMASI- I am disappointed in the amount of people who are indulging the artists outside of Vic Baboo’s Cafe. It may be convenient, but this kind of behaviour is encouraging the artisans to hassle every white person that walks by. It’s much better to go to the Cultural Centre, where many of the artists can be seen at work and the prices aren’t ridiculously inflated (with the exception of the kente cloth.) Melissa Vasey, July 08.
A couple of visitors from the UK suggested that we should get in touch about the Golden Gate Hotel, of which I am the Managing Director. The map of Kumasi shows the hotel, even the nightclub Genesiz. We have a website, www.goldengatehotel.com.gh. Affordable clean rooms. Rates from US$32.00 single, US$37.00 double (Cedi equivalent). Rates are inclusive of breakfast and 15%VAT/NHIL. There is a large restaurant which serves local, continental and vegeratian meals. Tel: +233 51 37073. Helen Boaitey. July 08.
CHAPTER 15: GREATER ASHANTI
There is now a new hotel in downtown Ejura. Name: Amankwaa Adade Hotel; P.O. Box 1; Ejura, Ashanti; Telephone # 020-875-9885; Email address: chiefee357@yahoo.co.uk I did not ask rates, however it was a very clean, large building, has patio in front, next door to sole pub in Ejura; very friendly and hospitable people. Owner speaks good English. directions: get off Tro-Tro, walk BACK 1 blk along Hwy, turn right at first street, walk straight ahead to hotel, at end of this street – about 2 blks long. Suzanne Eyers, July 07.
We visited Adanwomase as I wanted to see Kente cloth being made. I teach textiles in the UK. This was the highlight of an amazing trip. the visit and tour of the village was unpressured and excellent. I have no hesitation in recommending visitors here, in fact I would encourage you to support such a worthwhile and worthy community project. We later went to Bonwire which we found a little unpleasant as we were followed and hassled the whole time we were there. We also visited Ntonso for the Adinkra cloth and enjoyed an excellent time there. If you would like more information on Adanwomase, they have produced a wonderful little leaflet which lists lots of things you can do including ‘ Live with a family’, ‘culinary tour’, ‘cultural drumming dancing and story telling’ and lots more. Jan Tregidgo, Dec 07.
ADANWOMASE- This was one of my favourite day trips out of Kumasi, although the tourist office is reluctant to allow anyone to explore the village without a guide. The tourist office arranged the biggest and best food we’ve had, made at a stall across the street, for less than 2 Cedis. Those interested in purchasing kente cloth should inquire about the old design, that wasn’t “made for the king”–I was able to get the cloth for far less than half of what the new design costs, although this required patience as the woman tracked it down. Melissa Vasey, July 08.
CHAPTER 16: BETWEEN KUMASI AND TAMALE
Re Operation Hand in Hand in Nkoranza, two things we would like to correct. First is that the current write-up could imply we give free lodging to volunteers, and we have had to explain to a few people that this is not the case and they have to pay for their stay. Also, the telephone number for reservations is 024 273 1095. See also www.operationhandinhand.nl. Ineke Bosman (Hand in Hand), May 08.
