Experience Ghana Beyond the Tourist Lens
Forget five-star hotels and tourist-packed buses. If you really want to understand Ghana, spend a day with a local family. You’ll laugh, you’ll eat (a lot), you’ll probably get assigned a new Ghanaian name—and you might just leave feeling like part of the family.
First, How Do You Even Get Invited?
Good question. Ghanaians are incredibly welcoming, but you don’t just knock on someone’s door and say, “Hi, I brought plantain chips—can I hang out?” 😅
Here’s how to make it happen:
- Ask your guesthouse or Airbnb host — Many locals are happy to connect tourists with their families for a cultural exchange day.
- Join a local experience via platforms like Withlocals or through your travel guide.
- Go through an NGO or cultural center that organizes immersion days.
- Make friends during your travels (tro-tro rides are surprisingly social!).
👉 Related: First-Time Visitor’s Guide to Ghana
Morning: Wake Up Ghana-Style
You’ll probably wake up to the sound of roosters, church drums, or someone sweeping—seriously, Ghanaians start cleaning as early as 4:30 AM!
Expect to be greeted with:
- “Maakye!” (Good morning)
- A bucket bath (yes, old-school and surprisingly refreshing)
- Hot cocoa or tea with bread, boiled yam, or rice porridge (koko)
👉 Related: Ghanaian Breakfasts to Try Before You Die
Late Morning: Join in the Daily Hustle
No one sits idle in a Ghanaian household. You’ll likely be:
- Fetching water (don’t worry, they’ll go easy on you)
- Grinding pepper in the asanka (traditional clay bowl)
- Shopping at the local market
- Chasing a goat that’s trying to escape the compound (true story)
This is a great time to ask questions, learn Twi or Ewe phrases, and enjoy laughing with Auntie, who will not spare you from jokes.
👉 Related: How to Bargain in a Ghanaian Market Without Offending
Midday: Lunch is a Serious Event
Forget your sandwich—this is where the magic happens. You might help cook or just watch in amazement as an entire pot of fufu, banku, or waakye is prepared.
Meals could include:
- Groundnut soup with goat meat
- Jollof rice with fried fish
- Fufu and light soup so spicy it makes you question your life choices 😅
Expect everyone to eat from a shared bowl. And yes, use your right hand — always.
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Afternoon: Rest, Chit Chat, and Chores
After lunch, it’s chill time. Don’t be surprised if people just nap or sit under a mango tree to chat. It’s the Ghanaian version of a siesta.
You may also:
- Help braid hair or shell groundnuts
- Join kids playing ampe or ludu
- Learn to wrap a kente cloth or carry a pan on your head (10/10 TikTok content)
Evening: Family Time and “Yam Porridge” Gossip
As the sun sets, the compound fills with chatter. Neighbors come over, and someone brings out the alcoholic bitters or palm wine.
Expect:
- Storytelling under the stars
- A chorus of kids singing or dancing
- Discussions about politics, football, or why the price of tomatoes has gone up (again)
👉 Related: Local Drinks to Try in Ghana (Alomo, Sobolo, Palm Wine, etc.)
Want to Bring Something?
Gifts aren’t expected, but always appreciated. Consider:
- Small toys or school supplies for kids
- Toiletries or kitchen utensils
- Something from your home country (chocolates are a hit!)
What You’ll Take Away
You’ll leave with:
- A full belly
- A new Ghanaian name (probably “Kojo” or “Akosua”)
- WhatsApp numbers of your new “brothers and sisters”
- A heart full of memories
Spending a day with a local family in Ghana gives you authentic insight into what really makes this country special: the people.
👉 Related posts for deeper exploration: