Above and beyond the physical and mental health benefits of running, what I love most about this sport is exploring new places – noticing the small but significant features that define a place, sensing its spirit, pulse and culture, observing people in their natural space, and for a moment, feeling like there is no other place I belong, than pounding the pavement one step at a time, breathing in deeply and taking it all in – the sights, the sounds, the smells.
I have long dreamt of running in different cities and towns around the world. So you can imagine my excitement when a work assignment called me to Ghana – the perfect opportunity to kill two birds with one stone! Ghana is a country in West Africa, bordering the Gulf of Guinea, and neatly tucked between the French-speaking countries of Côte d’Ivoire and Togo, with Burkina Faso straddling its northern border. Ghana’s rich history includes its pivotal leadership in the fight for Africa’s independence from colonial rule, stamped by President Kwame Nkrumah’s inspirational words on the eve of their independence, “The independence of Ghana is meaningless unless it is linked up to the total liberation of Africa”.
My destination in Ghana was Big Ada, a historic and rustic town in the Ada East district of the Greater Accra Region. The town lies along the road from Ada Kasseh to the district capital Ada Foah, just off the Accra-Aflao motorway. With its prime location on the Volta River, Big Ada was an important trading centre but in 1928 with the construction of the harbour sea port in Takoradi, economic activities greatly declined. From what I could gather, the area is now more known for promoting eco-tourism than for being a bustling trading hub.
Determined to discover as much as I could, I managed four runs during the week, all leaving me hot and sweaty but with a renewed sense of focus and energy to navigate my working days.
What Was It Like Running in Big Ada?
Hot And Humid! If you know anything about Botswana, you know it gets hot! So heat is not something that intimidates me. In fact, many of my summer runs are done at +35˚C. Although you feel the piercing sun, it is rarely humid – so it doesn’t feel… heavy. I had been forewarned but there’s one thing understanding it at the intellectual level and actually experiencing it! My first run in Ghana was a shock to the system. When I set off at 6am, it was 25˚C with 87% humidity. It hit me like a thunder bolt as soon as I exited the air-conditioned hotel. I decided to go out even earlier on subsequent days, but even then I felt like I was running in a sauna!
Liberating. That said, I will never forget my first run in Ghana. It felt liberating! I’ve always been nervous running alone in completely new areas, even back home, but here I was, in a foreign country, running without any real sense of direction but determined to experience it all.
Each run started with a 1.5km reddish-brown dirt road from the hotel to the tarred road. It was lined with lush green trees and the houses and structures were few and far between.
I crossed paths with a handful of people on the road and I heard the familiar sounds of people sweeping their yards using traditional straw brooms, longer than the ones we use in Botswana. I also encountered different animals including dogs, goats, chickens, pigs and cows.
When I reached the end of the dirt , I would turn either left or right onto tarred road. Both routes took me past a number of different kiosks, many of them vibrant in colour. I spotted a charming little community library and a small art centre for children. There were also several churches, and on Sunday, a preacher was giving a sermon from his balcony.
On one of my runs, I had to stop for a few minutes as a herd of cattle crossed the road – I’d love to say this was new to me but I’ve experienced this one too many times in Gaborone!
Bustling Motorbikes. Something that was very different here were the number of motorbikes zipping past from the very early hours of the morning, many carrying passengers or baskets of goods. There were also some that had been custom-made with a trailer to carry larger items.
Mix Of Traditional and Modern. There were a number of traditional houses with thatched roofs and also some houses that looked like remnants from the British colonial era as their distinct roof structures were similar to some that we have in different towns in Botswana. And then of course there were more modern hotels and residences, several still under construction.
Safe. As a solo woman runner, safety is always a huge concern. So I reached out to a good friend of mine who lives in Accra, and I was so comforted when she said it was safe to run and that people “don’t bother you”. The hotel porter confirmed the same before I left for my first run. I’m so pleased to say that in all my days running, I wasn’t bothered once – some kids greeted me politely and the adults just continued about their morning. It was a great feeling to run and feel so at peace and it gave me the encouragement to keep varying my route. Also, although there were no sidewalks, many of the cars moved to the side, giving me ample room to run.
Inspirational. Each of my runs culminated at the riverside where I would stand for a few minutes by the palm trees watching the fishing canoes passing by and the morning clouds give way to the beautiful blue skies above. Simply inspirational. After a shower, I’d enjoy a cappuccino and some fried plantain. Is there a better way to start the day?
I am so excited that I got to run in Ghana. Each run left me with one predominant feeling – that of gratitude. Gratitude for the gift of running – four years ago, I would have been stuck in the hotel for the whole week and flown back home without a clue of what was beyond the hotel gates. But running has given me the courage, fearlessness and determination to actively explore new places and dare to see, feel and appreciate all that is around me. And as if in celebration of this (and overnight downpour), a loud chorus of frogs greeted me for my final 9km run in Ada!
I hope you enjoyed running with me in Ghana! Have you been to Ghana before? Are your summer runs humid? Why are you grateful for running?
I’m joining two fabulous runners, Kim from Running on the Fly and Deborah from Confessions from a Mother Runner for their link up – the “Weekly Run Down”.
The Gaborone Runner 
How wonderful – I loved reading this, thank you! Ghana keeps coming up in my reading and work so that’s quite funny that here it is in my blogs now, too!
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Haha!! Have always wanted to visit Ghana and never imagined it would happen! So happy I was able to start many mornings with a run. A really special place.
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Wow! I really appreciate the time you take to let us really get to know what it’s like. I doubt I’ll ever get an opportunity to go to Ghana, but I’m glad to know more about it.
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Thank you! Wanted everyone to feel they were running with me!
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Running to explore is my FAVORITE. It’s such a great way to experience a new place. I’m glad you were safe and the locals were respectful! Great post.
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Nothing quite beats that feeling of “exploration running”!! Safety is always a big one for women but I don’t think I’ve ever felt this safe. Was such a great feeling.
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I always love to use running to check out new places – it’s so much better than taking a cab! The photos you shared are so beautiful too!
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Thank you! So glad I could capture my experience over the course of the week in photos!
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It looks so lovely there! I work with a nurse from Ghana and I have a patient whose mom is from Ghana. They are the kindest people I know! I’m not surprised you enjoyed your time there.
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So unbelievably kind! It just seems to come naturally to them. I was so tense having to travel in a pandemic but I have so loved my experience here. I leave tomorrow so I’m going to try a run in the city before I head to the airport!
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running while traveling is always a treat and the best way to see a new country. Thanks for sharing your photos with us! I love to see where you run
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Such a treat! The days were so jam packed with work that had it not been for those early morning runs, I would not have seen anything at all!
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This looks and sounds absolutely wonderful! Humidity? Yeah, I know a thing or two about that 😉 When I ran a half marathon in Las Vegas, several years ago, I couldn’t figure out why I was so thirsty…the temps were somewhat and the air was dry (very dry compared to what I was used to). Then I realized it was the extreme dryness of the desert! I think I went through the equivalent of two 20-oz. water bottles over the course of 13.1 miles. It’s great that you were able to explore so much of Ghana on foot!
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When my husband was in Iowa, he was shocked about the humidity! 🤣 So happy I could spend my mornings this way!
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To answer your question- no, there is no better way to start the day! It all sounds incredible. This is what I love most about running these days, more than the races- just going out and exploring and having adventures. This was fascinating to read because most of us don’t get to have this kind of adventure!
So glad you got to have this experience. Thanks so much for sharing it.
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Such a lovely experience Jenny! I’m so glad I got this opportunity and that it as able to do so much running!
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This is lovely, Shathiso! Yay for running in another country! So nice that you had the opportunity to do this trip.
I didn’t know that Ghana was such a safe place – what a pleasant surprise!
Btw, how is the vaccination situation progressing in Botswana?
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Such an amazing experience Catrina 😀 We are still not vaccinating under 45s. But as I was travelling to Ghana, my work was able to write to the Ministry to get me vaccinated before I travelled. So I got the J&J vaccine. I feel so grateful for that.
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That is good news! So happy for you – one worry less. 🙂
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Glad you had a wonderful time running in Ghana and that you felt safe there. I enjoy walking but only walk in areas I know due to safety reasons.
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I know the feeling cuz of sticking to places you know for safety reasons. This was the best part of my stay here – feeling comfortable to be alone at 05:30 in the morning! Imagine 😁
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Running is a great way to explore a new area. Thank you for sharing this running tour of Ghana 🙂
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Glad you enjoyed it Michelle!
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I’m so glad you had a great experience. It looks so beautiful in Ghana, and I’m glad to hear you felt safe. I also love the cattle! That must have been so cool to see. I also love that it was safe – it can be hard running in new areas when you’re a woman alone. Thank you for sharing!
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Running to explore…. YES, YES, YES.. and thanks for also sharing your part of the world with us!
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Oh wow! Those pictures are amazing! I love running in new places too, such a fabulous way to get to know a place!
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My mom at the moment has a live in aide, who is originally from Ghana. She has told me I must go there! I told here that I’ve always wanted to go to Africa, but I’m not sure it will ever happen.
Yes, our summers can be humid. This summer didn’t start out that way, but the last couple of months were tough.
Glad to hear that you felt comfortable running on your own & the photos are beautiful!
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