Nkran
Accra (the capital of Ghana)
Usage
The capital and largest city of Ghana. Nkran is the Akan name; signs and maps write Accra
Grammar Note
Nkran is the Akan name and the English spelling is Accra. Write Accra when showing a driver your destination. The name Accra is said to come from Nkran.
Kumasi
Kumasi (the main city of the Ashanti Region)
Usage
The main city of the Ashanti Region and the seat of the Asante kingdom. The palace of the Asantehene (the Asante king), Manhyia Palace, is here
Grammar Note
Signs and maps write this name in the English spelling. Showing or reading out this spelling is the easiest way to be understood by taxi and trotro drivers.
Tamale
Tamale (the main city of northern Ghana)
Usage
The main city of northern Ghana and the usual base for Mole National Park. Dagbani and other northern languages are spoken there more than Akan
Grammar Note
This is the usual spelling; there is no separate Akan form in use. Signs and maps write this name in the English spelling. Showing or reading out this spelling is the easiest way to be understood by taxi and trotro drivers.
Takoradi
Takoradi (a port city in the Western Region)
Usage
A port city in the Western Region. Together with neighbouring Sekondi it is called Sekondi-Takoradi. A base for the beaches and old forts
Grammar Note
Signs and maps write this name in the English spelling. Showing or reading out this spelling is the easiest way to be understood by taxi and trotro drivers.
Tema
Tema (a port city east of Accra)
Usage
A planned city east of Accra with Ghana’s largest harbour. Shared minibuses run between Tema and Accra
Grammar Note
Signs and maps write this name in the English spelling. Showing or reading out this spelling is the easiest way to be understood by taxi and trotro drivers.
Cape Coast
Cape Coast (a coastal town in the Central Region)
Usage
A coastal town in the Central Region and the former capital of the British Gold Coast. The base for Cape Coast Castle and nearby sights
Grammar Note
This coast speaks Fante, a different Akan variety, so wording here may differ a little from Asante Twi. Signs and maps write this name in the English spelling. Showing or reading out this spelling is the easiest way to be understood by taxi and trotro drivers.
Cape Coast Castle
Cape Coast Castle (a World Heritage fort)
Usage
A fort that served the slave trade and one of the UNESCO World Heritage "Forts and Castles" of Ghana. It now holds a museum
Grammar Note
Signs say Cape Coast Castle. Twi Wikipedia titles it Cape Coast Castle Tete Nneɛma Korabea (tete means old). Visits are normally by guided tour.
Elmina Castle
Elmina Castle (a World Heritage fort)
Usage
A fort built by the Portuguese in 1482, one of the oldest European buildings south of the Sahara. A UNESCO World Heritage site in the town of Elmina
Grammar Note
Signs say Elmina Castle. It was also a centre of the slave trade, and visits are normally guided.
Mole National Park
Mole National Park (Ghana’s largest wildlife reserve)
Usage
Ghana’s largest wildlife reserve, known for its elephants. Most visitors go via Tamale
Grammar Note
Signs and maps write this name in the English spelling. Showing or reading out this spelling is the easiest way to be understood by taxi and trotro drivers.
Kakum National Park
Kakum National Park (known for its canopy walkway)
Usage
A rainforest park near Cape Coast, known for the walkway hanging among the treetops
Grammar Note
Signs and maps write this name in the English spelling. Showing or reading out this spelling is the easiest way to be understood by taxi and trotro drivers.
Lake Bosomtwe
Lake Bosomtwe (a crater lake in the Ashanti Region)
Usage
A round crater lake near Kumasi that is also sacred to the Asante. There are lodges and restaurants on the shore
Grammar Note
The spelling is Bosomtwe or Bosumtwi depending on the sign. Twi Wikipedia titles it Lake Bosomtwe. The lake is sacred, so follow local customs there.
Akosombo Dam
Akosombo Dam (a dam on the Volta River)
Usage
A dam on the Volta River that created the huge Lake Volta behind it. A day trip from Accra
Grammar Note
Signs and maps write this name in the English spelling. Showing or reading out this spelling is the easiest way to be understood by taxi and trotro drivers.
Black Star Square
Black Star Square (Accra’s independence square)
Usage
A large square on the Accra seafront with the Independence Arch. Used for ceremonies and parades
Grammar Note
Signs say Black Star Square, and it is also called Independence Square. Twi Wikipedia uses the title Black Star Square.
Kotoka International Airport
Kotoka International Airport (Accra’s airport)
Usage
The international airport in Accra and Ghana’s main gateway. Often abbreviated KIA
Grammar Note
Signs say Kotoka International Airport. Twi Wikipedia titles it Kotoka Wiemuhyɛn gyinabea (wiemuhyɛn is the aircraft word used in that title, gyinabea a stopping place).
Boti Falls
Boti Falls (Eastern Region)
Usage
A waterfall in the forest of the Eastern Region near Koforidua, known for its twin falls
Grammar Note
Signs say Boti Falls. Twi Wikipedia titles it Boti Nsuo, where nsuo means water.
Wli Falls
Wli Falls (Volta Region)
Usage
A waterfall near Hohoe in the Volta Region, said to be the tallest in West Africa. You walk to it through forest
Grammar Note
Signs say Wli Falls. Twi Wikipedia titles it Wli Nsuo. Wli is pronounced close to Vli, but show the spelling as written.
Aburi Botanical Gardens
Aburi Botanical Gardens (near Accra)
Usage
Botanical gardens in the Akuapem Hills north of Accra. Cooler than the city, and a day trip from Accra
Grammar Note
Signs say Aburi Botanical Gardens. Twi Wikipedia titles it Aburi Nnua Turo Ahorow (nnua is trees, turo is orchard or garden).
Manhyia Palace
Manhyia Palace (the Asante royal palace in Kumasi)
Usage
The Kumasi palace of the Asantehene, the Asante king. Part of it is a museum open to visitors
Grammar Note
Signs say Manhyia Palace. Twi Wikipedia titles it Manhyia Ahenfie (ahenfie means palace). The museum is written Manhyia Palace Museum.
Makola Market
Makola Market (Accra’s big market)
Usage
A big market in central Accra selling cloth, food and household goods. Crowded, so keep an eye on your belongings
Grammar Note
Signs say Makola Market. Twi Wikipedia titles it Makola Gua (gua means market). Other cards in this deck write market as dwa, which is a different dialect form.
Kejetia Market
Kejetia Market (Kumasi’s huge market)
Usage
A huge market in central Kumasi, counted among the biggest in West Africa. Easy to get lost, so remember your entrance
Grammar Note
Signs and maps write this name in the English spelling. Showing or reading out this spelling is the easiest way to be understood by taxi and trotro drivers.
Labadi Beach
Labadi Beach (an Accra beach)
Usage
A popular beach east of Accra, lively with music and food stalls at weekends. The surf is strong, so take care if you swim
Grammar Note
Signs say Labadi Beach (also La Pleasure Beach). Twi Wikipedia also has an article titled Labadi.
Busua
Busua (a beach town in the Western Region)
Usage
A small seaside town in the Western Region, known for its relaxed beach and surfing. Reached from Takoradi
Grammar Note
Signs and maps write this name in the English spelling. Showing or reading out this spelling is the easiest way to be understood by taxi and trotro drivers.
Bonwire
Bonwire (a kente weaving town)
Usage
A town near Kumasi where kente weavers work. You can watch the weaving and buy cloth
Grammar Note
Signs and maps write this name in the English spelling. Showing or reading out this spelling is the easiest way to be understood by taxi and trotro drivers.
Nzulezo
Nzulezo (a village on stilts over a lake)
Usage
A village of houses on stilts over Lake Tadane in the Western Region, reached by canoe. On UNESCO’s tentative World Heritage list
Grammar Note
Signs and maps write this name in the English spelling. Showing or reading out this spelling is the easiest way to be understood by taxi and trotro drivers.
Sunyani
Sunyani (capital of the Bono Region)
Usage
The capital of the Bono Region, on the way between Kumasi and the north
Grammar Note
Signs and maps write this name in the English spelling. Showing or reading out this spelling is the easiest way to be understood by taxi and trotro drivers.
Koforidua
Koforidua (capital of the Eastern Region)
Usage
The capital of the Eastern Region, between Accra and Kumasi. A base for Boti Falls
Grammar Note
Signs and maps write this name in the English spelling. Showing or reading out this spelling is the easiest way to be understood by taxi and trotro drivers.
Bolgatanga
Bolgatanga (capital of the Upper East Region)
Usage
The main town of north-eastern Ghana, known for basketry. Several governments publish travel advisories for parts of the north, so check the latest information before going
Grammar Note
Often shortened to Bolga on signs. Northern languages are spoken here more than Akan.
Wa
Wa (capital of the Upper West Region)
Usage
The main town of north-western Ghana. The name is very short, so it is easy to miss on maps and signs
Grammar Note
Signs and maps write this name in the English spelling. Showing or reading out this spelling is the easiest way to be understood by taxi and trotro drivers.
Ho
Ho (capital of the Volta Region)
Usage
The capital of the Volta Region, in the Ewe-speaking area, with hill country around it
Grammar Note
Signs and maps write this name in the English spelling. Showing or reading out this spelling is the easiest way to be understood by taxi and trotro drivers.
Hohoe
Hohoe (a town in the Volta Region)
Usage
A town in the Volta Region and the usual base for Wli Falls
Grammar Note
Signs and maps write this name in the English spelling. Showing or reading out this spelling is the easiest way to be understood by taxi and trotro drivers.
Winneba
Winneba (a seaside town in the Central Region)
Usage
A seaside town between Accra and Cape Coast, known for the annual Aboakyere (deer-catching) festival in May
Grammar Note
Signs and maps write this name in the English spelling. Showing or reading out this spelling is the easiest way to be understood by taxi and trotro drivers.
Techiman
Techiman (a market town in the Bono East Region)
Usage
A busy junction town between Kumasi and the north with a large market. Many travellers change vehicles here
Grammar Note
Signs and maps write this name in the English spelling. Showing or reading out this spelling is the easiest way to be understood by taxi and trotro drivers.
Ghana
Usage
A country in West Africa; the capital is Accra. The country name is written Ghana in Akan too
Grammar Note
Some Twi Wikipedia titles spell it Gaana, but signs, passports and banknotes say Ghana. Showing this spelling is enough.
Asanteman
Asanteman (the Asante nation, the Ashanti region)
Usage
The Akan name for the Asante nation and its homeland, centred on Kumasi. English signs usually write Ashanti
Grammar Note
English has two spellings, Ashanti (region signs) and Asante (the people), so a difference from a sign is not an error.
More Akan (Twi) phrases
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