As soon as you leave Accra and drive westwards you are following the route of the first "white people" - the Portuguese - to step on Ghanaian soil in search of riches and adventure. "Henry the Sailor" - Prince of Portugal who never went to sea himself - sent out his ship to find a sea route to India in order to extend his markets. After several attempts to sail around Africa they set up at Goree in Senegal and from there ventured out to the coast of the "Land of Gold". The first group to land on the Ghanaian coast near Elmina was led by Diogo Cao in 1471. They soon found that the land was rich in Gold and Ivory and started a trade with the locals. They traded colorful beads and Schnapps from Portugal for the African Gold. Upon their return to Portugal more ships set out and soon the trade between the two countries flourished. In addition to beads and schnapps the Portuguese brought material, weapons and ammunition. The wealth of Gold here was so great that the name La Mina was given to the village Edina.

Soon the first Castle was built in Elmina followed by many others all along the coast right down to Accra. Nowhere in the world are there so many castles on one stretch of coast. There is one in almost every town along the 500 km coast line from the Togo border to the border of Cote d'Ivoire. The three most important ones have been declared World Historical Monuments by the UNESCO:- Christianborg in Accra, Sao Joao in Elmina and Cape Coast Castle in Cape Coast. The castles were originally built to serve as trading posts and markets for Gold, Ivory and Spices. After the 1630's the castles were built to serve as Slave Trade posts and the Slaves were kept here before being shipped off to unknown destinations. Most countries in Europe - Germany, Britain, Italy, Belgium, Holland, Portugal, Sweden, Spain - and North America took part in the Slave Trade and the castles changed hands frequently.

The Central Region of Ghana is a mixture of the past and the present. You find the influence of the western culture everywhere you look. It was from here that the first Slave was shipped off into the unknown, the first missionaries brought Christianity to Ghana in this region and colonialism has its roots here. The first schools were opened here and it was in these schools that the first voices were raised demanding for a free Ghana. The people in this region are the Fanti and speak an Akan dialect they also call Fanti. The central region is not rich in natural mineral sources but in Agriculture and Fishing. Here one finds large Palm trees, Citrus, Pineapple and Cocoa Plantations as well as big Poultry Farms. Every village smokes fish during the herring seasons and this supplies the north of Ghana. A rainforest stretches through most of the middle part of the central region and one can still find Forest Elephants here.

The Western Region records the highest rainfall figures in the country as well as being bordered naturally by rivers and streams, This has resulted in making the region the most fertile in Ghana. Due to its geographic nature the region is also the one with most natural resources - Gold, Diamonds, Bauxite, Manganese, Iron Ore, Gas, Oil and Limestone. The first harbour of Ghana was built in Takoradi which turned the town into a typical harbour town full of life. Its twin city Sekondi was once the pearl of the region but over the years it has lost a lot of vigor and today it has become the Industrial town for Takoradi. 12 km from Takoradi lies the little town of Edjam. It is believed that the Holy Mother of God was seen here and spring water erupting at the locations bears healing qualities.

Ghana's first Philosopher Dr. William Amo stayed in Shama - 20 km east of Takoradi - during the last years of his life living in Fort St. Sebastian. Dr. Amo was brought to Germany as a Slave when he was very little. He was given the opportunity to study at the University in Leipzig and returned to Ghana in 1763.

From the West- and Central Region we select some sightseeing's.