Social programme and excursion

Social programme

In addition to a series of evening programmes during the conference, we plan to organise a trip to the botanical gardens at Aburi, overlooking the coastal plain of Accra.

Post-conference excursion

Given the historical importance of Ghana as one of the epicentres of the transatlantic slave trade, a post-conference excursion will be offered to interested participants. The excursion is scheduled from Sunday 7 to Tuesday 9 August 2011 and will take participants along the Western seaboard of Ghana to three forts and castles: the vestiges of Fort Amsterdam (Fort Cormantin) as well as the well-preserved Cape Coast and Elmina Castles. We will also visit Kakum National Park, mostly undisturbed virgin rainforest with a canopy walk suspended between trees. We aim to be back in Accra in time for participants to catch their evening flights on 9 August.

Cost of excursion: 252-342 US$, depending on type of accommodation at the beach resort. This includes transportation, entrance fees, 2 nights in a beach resort incl. breakfast and two dinners, one lunch at a restaurant, two boxed lunches on the bus. Information on how to register for this excursion can be found in the registration form.

The following is a tentative itinerary:

Sunday, 7 August

• start from University of Ghana 8 am
• Kormantin Castle, the first British trading post on the Gold Coast (established 1632)
• Elmina Castle, the first Portuguese (and European) fortification on the Gold Coast (built 1482)
• check-in at beach hotel
• buffet dinner in hotel

Monday, 8 August

• Kakum National Park, mostly undisturbed virgin rainforest with a 40m high canopy walk suspended between trees
• Cape Coast Castle and town
• buffet dinner in hotel

Tuesday, 9 August

• return to Accra
• stop at Mankessim: Posuban shrine
• arrive in Legon, Accra by 4 pm, in time for participants to catch evening flights