If you are planning to visit an upcoming visit to a brand-new country in the coming months, it may be worth familiarizing yourself with a number of common pastimes to provide you with all of the relevant information you need before you set off and ensure you blend in whilst you are there. In Ghana, for example, sports are played by young and old residents alike throughout the year and trips to the coast are enjoyed by families on the weekend. If you are due to visit the country in the not-so-distant future or are just interested in expanding your knowledge of common pastimes in Ghana, continue reading to find out everything you need to know.
Surfing
In Ghana, its coastal location has led to surfing becoming a particularly popular pastime for locals as well as visitors to the country in recent years. This is largely due to a number of current and former surfing champions, such as England’s Brett Davies, taking to the Ivory Coast to sharpen their skills and compete in several global competitions against worthy competitors in the sport. In doing so, they have inadvertently triggered a country-wide surfing movement that is enjoyed by residents of all ages, interests, and hobbies today. This has also encouraged a growing number of children to get involved with the sport at a young age whilst they are at school with several surf schools readily available to teach aspiring surfers how to enjoy the sport as an extracurricular hobby or to eventually compete on a national or international level.
Football
In addition to surfing, football has a deep-rooted history in Ghana and, as a result, is one of the country’s oldest and most loved sports. If you were born and raised in the country or have visited a number of times, you will be familiar with how much residents adore the sport and participate in both minor and major matches at every opportunity. It is home to a senior national team, various junior national teams, and multiple individual clubs with fans always ready to support home-grown talent in any way they can. This has only been bolstered in recent years by the continent’s investment into football on a wider scale and its various partnerships that have occurred as a result such as Aduana Stars F.C. recently announcing a partnership with 10bet, the launch of 10bet Ghana, and the ongoing popularity of 10bet live in Kenya. It is also worth noting that football fans in the continent are free to watch national and international matches online or in-person with more options to choose from than ever before.
The beach
It is a widely known fact that Ghanaians love sports, namely surfing and football, but the beach is also a common pastime for residents of the country. This is largely due to the fact that the country is situated on 500 km of unspoiled coastline with views stretching for miles. If you like to get your feet wet or prefer relaxing during the weekend, you will struggle to find a coastline as beautiful and awe-inspiring during your travels across the wider continent. It may come as no surprise, therefore, that the country was nicknamed the Gold Coast as a result of its shimmering seas, golden sands, and history of mining years before the title was reassigned to the Australian city of Queensland. It is a great place to swim, participate in water sports, or just relax as you soak up the sun and enjoy the country’s soaring temperatures that rarely falter throughout the year.
The market in Ghana
If you ever find yourself in Ghana at the weekend, a trip to the market is a must. It is a great place to stock up on familiar favourites as well as sample the local cuisine whilst supporting local residents at the same time. It can be relatively busy during peak times but is usually free to explore during weekends as well as throughout the week. If you have never experienced the sights, smells, and sounds of the market or are unlikely to return again, it truly must be seen to be believed.
In Ghana, there are a number of common pastimes that are enjoyed by both residents and visitors to the country alike. If you are planning an upcoming trip to the country, for example, or have recently relocated there, you must go surfing, play football, visit the beach, and explore the market. In doing so, you can immerse yourself in the country’s history and culture and live like a local.