Bradt’s Ghana has remained the bestselling guide to the country since it was first published in 1998, being used by almost every English-speaking visitor there. Visitors will discover a country steeped in a rich cultural tradition and little-visited attractions. Ghana is an uncrowded place to go for game-viewing with Mole National Park and Baobeng Monkey Sanctuary among the highlights.
Since there are no other viable options... On the whole I was underwhelmed by this guidebook (this was my first Bradt purchase, I usually stick to Lonely Planet or Rough Guides) It has some good basics and background information, and does cover much of the country. The first person writing style is a bit much but that is a personal preference.
I think my main issue is that when there are hotels and restaurants listed in the guide (without addresses) not on the maps- which by the way don't even have the streets accurately labeled for the second largest town in Ghana (Kumasi)... you know you are in trouble. That kind of a let down is a bit much for me as I often rely on guides for logistics. And while many of my friends who were living in Ghana for 2-3 months bought it, they all seemed to think the same as me. Provides generals, fairly useful as a doorstop, but not so much on the other information.
Honestly since I stuck to the main track (Accra, Cape Coast/Elmina, Kumasi) I probably would have been fine with the LP West Africa guide. I cant honestly suggest the guide (and personally am not likely to get another Bradt Guide), though despite sounding negative I wouldn't say you shouldn't get it... just be aware that it isn't exactly accurate or reliable.
A Wonderful Book in 2000 -- Must Update it! I used the earlier edition of this book in 2000 and it was top notch. However, here in the fall of 2008, the 4th edition is not at all up to par. I have tried to visit many restaurants that have been closed for a long time. The hotel reviews do not match up either. (For instance, Hotel Shangri-la has lost its steam and no one should pay the upper $100 / 130 GHC it now costs - at a minimum! And at night, the restaurant and bar is filled with foreign men and prostitutes... not what most vacationers are looking for.)
The cedi has changed so the book really must change as well. There are also many new roads and buildings.
I would not buy this until they have revised -- and by revising they must come out to revisit and relearn all of the places mentioned!
Helpful if you were going to Ghana 5 years ago This book is very detailed and helpful, the only problem is that much of the information has not been updated for quite some time. There are many places listed that are no longer in existance (restaurants, banks, etc) and many new places that are nowhere to be found in the book. It says it was updated in 2007 but I was in Ghana in early 2008 and most of these things I am referring to have been around (or not been around) for quite some time. Also, the prices mentioned in the book are about 50% lower than what can be expected when you go to Ghana, and perhaps even more given the rapid rate of inflation there; the prices of almost everything went up at least some amount during my 4-month stay there, from beach fares down to avocados at the fruit stands.
A few nitpicky details: The book recommends against taking public busses without air conditioning (and therefore does not give schedules for them). However, on a tight schedule or budget (or even not) the non-air-conditioned busses are more than comfortable. Also, the book says that a taxi ride to Mole National Park from Tamale should take about 2 hours (or 2.5, I can't remember). This is WRONG, it takes about 5 hours. The fee to get into Labadi Beach was 2c on weekdays, 4c on weekends and holidays, not the .50c that the book cites. (This discrepancy is probably due to the general unreliability of prices/rapid inflation mentioned earlier.) The book mentions Macumba nightclub as a popular place in Accra. I lived across the street from Macumba, and the only people for whom it is popular are hookers and the creepy men looking for hookers. To be fair, the book does allude to this. Other popular nightspots that aren't mentioned in the book include Cinderella's, The Office, Tantra, and Aphrodesiac.
Overall, the book is certainly the best on the market as far as Ghana travel goes, if not solely for the reason that it is the only book that I am aware of dedicated to Ghana and not just West Africa with a tiny section on Ghana. It provides reliable enough information to be able to get around the country, as well as valuable background information on Ghanaian culture and history. Travellers should simply be forwarned that not everything in this book can be taken at face value, and travel plans (and budgets) need to be flexible enough to accomodate for this fact.
recommended i have found this book thorough and trustworthy - and definitely much better than the lonely planet. recommended for independent-minded travellers
travel with confidence As I write I am currently traveling in Ghana. The Bradt guide is incredibly thorough and up to date. I have traveled to many different regions relatively hassle free. That is it to say, Ghana works at a very different pace but the Bradt guide helped prepare me.
One note: Buy a map of Ghana and Accra, it will be very helpful. Accra is cluttered and confusing and demands more detail than the 2 page map in the Bradt guide.
Anything Goes Trivia
Trevor
Megaton Man
