Members of the IDXT Team will be active as 9G5CC and 9G5RR from Ghana and as 9G5ZP from Abokwa Island, IOTA AF - 084, during March - April 2026.
They will operate on HF Bands.
More information will be available later.
Ghana — a country of ancient cults and developed democracy
Ghana is one of the most colorful African countries, located in the western part of the continent. Formerly a British colony, today it is an independent state with a republican system of government. The southern borders of Ghana extend to the Gulf of Guinea, while the country shares its land borders with Burkina Faso, Togo, and Côte d'Ivoire. Ghana was the first country on the continent to break away from colonial rule and gain independence.
A trip to Ghana will be the most exciting adventure of your life. It is one of those amazing places on the planet where ancient magical beliefs coexist with Christian traditions. If you have always dreamed of immersing yourself in the authentic atmosphere of Africa, then Ghana is the perfect destination. In addition to its luxurious nature and rich cultural heritage, the country also attracts visitors with its political stability. Unlike its troubled neighbors, where dictatorship and military coups have long been commonplace, Ghana is a peaceful and democratic country, which undoubtedly has a positive effect on its reputation and attracts tourists.
Nature and climate Ghana
Ghana covers an area of 240,000 square kilometers, which is predominantly flat with a few hilly areas. The northern part is covered with savannahs and shrubbery, while mountains rise on the eastern border, where the highest point in the country is located — Mount Afadjeto, 885 meters high.
The country has a subequatorial climate with a clear division into rainy and dry seasons, with dry weather clearly prevailing. Closer to the ocean coast, the climate gradually transitions to equatorial with its characteristic impenetrable tropical forests and high humidity. The largest waterway in the country is the Volta River, which formed a large lake as a result of the construction of a dam in the 1950s.
The local environment has suffered greatly during the development of the land. Many plant species have been irretrievably destroyed, but some species of mahogany and cotton trees can still be found in the forests. The animal world has also suffered losses, but bright representatives of mammals still remain in their natural habitat. Leopards, elephants, buffaloes, various species of monkeys, lemurs, hyenas, and other animals are often found here.
History of Ghana
The first Europeans to set foot on the shores of modern-day Ghana were the Portuguese, led by the explorer Diogo de Azambuja. Incidentally, Christopher Columbus was among the participants of this voyage. The Europeans began building strongholds and fortresses, while also transporting gold and slave labor back to their homeland. The riches of the Gold Coast attracted other European powers, and soon the total amount of gold exported amounted to more than 10% of the total amount of precious metal mined worldwide.
From the mid-17th century, the territory of modern Ghana was colonized by Denmark, which built several forts there. In the mid-19th century, Denmark sold its colonial lands to Great Britain, which in turn gradually ousted all other countries from the region and finally established its protectorate over the Gold Coast.
In the 1940s, the national liberation movement began to grow rapidly, eventually achieving its main goal — the declaration of independence in 1957. From that moment on, the country received its modern name, Ghana, in honor of the empire of the same name that flourished in West Africa until the 13th century.
Kwame Nkrumah became the first leader of the country after independence. However, over time, the joy of independence faded due to Nkrumah's harsh authoritarian style of rule. The president wanted to emulate socialist countries such as China and the Soviet Union, but his ideas were extremely unpopular among the population and his immediate circle. In 1966, Nkrumah was overthrown in a military coup, which was followed by a series of other coups.
It was not until the early 1990s that the country embarked on a path toward democracy. In 1992, a constitution was adopted and Ghana's first democratic presidential elections were held, in which Jerry Rawlings received the majority of votes. Since then, Ghana has enjoyed a peaceful political atmosphere, and all elections have been held in accordance with democratic principles.
Kakum National Park
The Kakum Nature Reserve, located in the southernmost part of Ghana, is the first thing that visitors are recommended to see. Opened in 1932, the park, which covers an area of just over 350 km2, only began to welcome its first tourists in the mid-1990s.
The park makes a huge impression on Europeans. Its dense, impenetrable forests seem to have come straight out of illustrations in books about the colonial era and adventure films. The evergreen forests are home to many colorful representatives of the fauna — forest cats, monitor lizards, antelopes, leopards, buffaloes, crocodiles, and rare species of turtles.
The world of birds is particularly diverse, with at least three hundred species in the reserve.
To explore the reserve better, we recommend visiting the local educational center and museum. There is a tent camp in the park where you can stay overnight, as it is difficult to see all the interesting places in Kakuma in one day.
Accra — the capital of Ghana
The largest city and administrative center of Ghana is located in the south of the country. Accra is the center of political, industrial, and cultural life in Ghana. According to the latest census, more than two million people live in the metropolis, and together with the suburbs, the number of permanent residents rises to four million.
In addition to its interesting urban architecture, which clearly reflects its colonial heritage, peacefully coexisting with modern buildings, the capital attracts tourists with a number of colorful attractions.
The best place to start your acquaintance with the city is the National Museum, the oldest in the country, which opened when the country gained independence. The museum's extensive collection includes items that tell the story of the traditions of the indigenous population, from ancient times to the present day.
Among the architectural monuments, the Osu Castle, built by the Danes in the 17th century, stands out. Originally, the castle, located on the very shore of the ocean, was the residence of merchants, and with the arrival of the British, the colonial government settled here. Today, the castle is the presidential residence, but at the same time, the territory is open to visitors.
Thirty kilometers from Accra is the picturesque Aburi Botanical Garden, founded in the late 19th century. The garden covers an area of 65 hectares and contains a huge collection of tropical plants from all over the world, including rare specimens. It is noteworthy that some of the rare plants were planted by famous guests who visited the botanical garden at different times. Among the most notable figures are Queen Elizabeth II and Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Cultural traditions of Ghana
Despite the fact that two-thirds of the country's population is Christian, there is still a significant percentage of followers of traditional cults in Ghana. Like most African peoples living in this part of the continent, Ghanaians believe in otherworldly forces and perform various magical rituals. A significant difference from similar rituals performed by other peoples is that wooden and clay idols are used as talismans for communicating with otherworldly forces, rather than masks. The ritual figurines are handmade by women and kept in homes as amulets.
The constitution of Ghana establishes only one official language, English, but only a third of the country's population speaks it fluently. In everyday life, residents speak local languages, the most popular of which are Ashanti, Ewe, and Fante.
The traditional decorative and applied arts of the Ghanaians are of great interest to tourists.
Carved wooden furniture, brightly colored textiles, authentic musical instruments, and, of course, pure gold items made by local craftsmen—these and many other items make excellent souvenirs to remind you of your exciting trip to a distant country.