Travelling to Ghana!

[beaner&tiegs]

Hello!

We have just bought our tickets to visit Ghana for the month of Feb. We have a 2 year old and a 5 year old, and are now beginning to look into the issue of immunizations. Does anyone have recommendations about what we *should* do, what is less important, etc? I read a bit about malaria in the Kenya thread, and have planned out a lot of prevention. Also, helpful tips on must brings for the kidlets?

Also, anyone have suggestions of things we *have* to do while there? We're visiting a friend, but would still love ideas!

Thanks a lot!

[cristinaoketch]

hi,

you should be so excited about your trip, there is no place in the world like Africa, and the best place to travel first is Ghana.

As far as protection for the kids, you should really think about the vax, but I can tell you from my own experience, that if you will be staying within the Accra area and just keep an eye on the kids, you shouldnt have to worry too much. I didnt have children when i went, so i was not as aware of the hazards to kids, but I would think that if you plan on letting the kids interact with other children their age, the vax may be something you have to go with.

Are you breastfeeding? because it is thought that the kids will get your protection through milk. My husband and i were planning on travelling to East Africa in Feb, as well, and because of our daughters age and vulnerability, we went ahead with the vax. If i knew that our family wasnt going to leave the US, i would have made a differnt decision. But we have no way of knowing if some old woman in the village has polio or another disease that we could come in contact with. and ones of the benefits as well as downfalls of Africa is that everyone is family, it is a different culture. It is much harder to tell a person that doesnt understand your beliefs that you would prefer they dont touch your kids, allowing for the transference of disease.

But from my experience, as long as you drink bottled water and take your malaria med. What malaria med are you planning on taking? you should be fine. Depending on how long you are staying, you might be able to eat local food, however if you are in the country for less than 3 weeks, i would suggest you stay away from Chop bars that may cook with the local water. You DO NOT want to experience dysentery, it is something you would rather leave without seeing.

You have to see all the differences of Ghana, what makes it unique as well as westernized. I would say your top ten list of must sees are the following,

Cape Coast Slave Castle
Elmina Slave Castle
Kakum National Park
Han's Cottage
Kumasi, and The Ashatehene's palace
La Palm Hotel, just go see the place, you dont have to stay
Busy Internet
Mole National Reserve if you have the time
Kente Weaving in Bonwire
Adinkra stamping in Bonwire
Abrui Gardens
Tetaquash Circle ( largest traffic circle in Africa)

Go to the beach, ride in a tro tro, eat a pineapple, taste the Ghanaian chocolate, learn a little Twi and the more you know about the people there, the more they will love you.

For the kids, depending on how old they are, bring a couple of their favorite things, older clothes because you are travelling during Harmattan and the winds will be strong and dusty.

Thats all i can think of for now, I hope it was helpful. Send me an email and we can talk more.

[Muslimah]

I am not very educated on the issue of Vaxing except a few reads. My MIL (she is the "queen" of sorts in her village in Ghana lol) says there is no need to vaxinate the kids in Ghana or Nigeria. I told her we are not vaxing our baby an she was all for it. I was concerned about travelling to west africa with the kids, but she said not to worry. I do not know much more then that. My husbands family is Yoruba from Ghana/Nigeria and his mom is from some small village (can't remember what she is but my gosh does she speak like 8 languages) and none of them are vaxed.

[rzberrymom]

I've lived in Ghana, Kenya and Malawi, and Ghana was by far my favorite. You picked a great place to start!

Cristinaoketch had terrific suggestions. I would only add try to take drumming lessons or catch a performance at the Academy of African Arts and Music--both are great for kids. It's a short drive along the coast from Accra. Further towards Cape Coast, the Anomabu Beach Resort is fabulous! Great little bungalows where you can hear the waves, a terrific beach, and the bathrooms are the cleanest I've ever seen in Africa.

Have fun!

[beaner&tiegs]

Thanks everyone for all of your great suggestions, I really appreciated all of the help! We're packing up to leave tomorrow, with a stopover in London on the way - I've written down a list of things to try to do! We're really looking forward to going - I was there before, but only when I was 11/12!