April 2026
We spent 10 days in Ghana, and I don't even know where to begin. It was such a different world from anything I had experienced. The people were incredibly friendly and welcoming, and I always felt safe.
Accra, the capital city, was loud, busy, and full of energy. There were cars everywhere, constant honking, people filling the sidewalks, and countless small shops lining the streets. Many of the gutters were open, so when we were walking, there was occasionally unpleasant smells. Also, the air was often filled with exhaust from the heavy traffic.
Traffic laws seemed to be followed... loosely. Everyone drove on the correct side of the road and generally obeyed traffic lights, but beyond that, drivers seemed to communicate almost entirely through honking their horns and confidently squeezing into any available space. Somehow, it all worked.
In some areas we saw women and children begging or selling items along the roads. Our driver told us that most were not Ghanaian and explained that some had been trafficked from neighboring countries. Later, I read more about the situation and learned that while human trafficking and child labor is a real problem in the region. Many of the women and children are also families who have migrated from northern countries because of poverty, conflict, or instability. It was sobering to think about.
One of my favorite parts of riding through Ghana was simply looking out the window. There was always something unexpected to see. At one point, we passed a man standing beside a busy street, casually talking on his cell phone while hanging out with his cow.
The vehicles were interesting too. We saw cars, vans, and trucks packed to the brim, carrying just about anything and everything imaginable. It was amazing what people could transport with a little creativity and determination.
We stayed in Accra's business district, just a few blocks from the temple. Our Airbnb had a beautiful view of the city, and it was a nice (air conditioned!) place to come back to after exploring each day.
On our first evening in Accra, we walked to a local market and a few neighborhood shops to buy bottled water and breakfast supplies. I was hot, thirsty and beat from our Senegal flight, but I was also so interested in the sights and sounds around me.
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This is Monique. She is a member and has a hair shop on one of the main streets. Parker said the missionaries would stop by and visit her if they were in the area. She was so surprised to see Parker. She jumped up from her seat and started screaming and crying. It was pretty starteling and cute.
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