Akwidaa

Akwidaa is in the Ghanaian Coastal Plain.

Akwidaa is one of the southernmost places in Ghana. The charming fishing village is surrounded by its unique, long pristine sand beaches.

The town was once called Ezile, named after for the river. During the Dutch occupation, the town was renamed after an old man who used to ferry people across the river.

The coast around Akwidaa has long been inhabited by coastal communities whose livelihoods were connected to fishing, farming and trade.

European trading activity along the western Ghanaian coast increased from the 15th century onwards. The wider coastline became an important area for European merchants because of its access to gold and other commodities from the interior.

Although Akwidaa is a relatively small settlement, its history is connected with the broader history of the Ahanta coast, which includes several historic European forts and trading settlements. The village has retained much of its traditional coastal character, with fishing continuing to be an important part of the local economy.

Akwidaa has a warm and humid tropical coastal climate. Temperatures remain relatively high throughout the year, while the proximity of the Atlantic Ocean contributes to high humidity.

Rainfall is seasonal, with wetter periods during parts of the year. The surrounding vegetation remains relatively lush because western Ghana receives more rainfall than many areas farther north. The coast can experience strong waves and currents, particularly during rough weather, so visitors should exercise caution when entering the sea.

Akwidaa is small enough to explore largely on foot. Walking is also a good way to experience the village, coastline and surrounding scenery. Local taxis and other forms of informal transport can be used for longer journeys to neighbouring communities.

Explore cocoa plantations, hike in the forests, see humpback whales, take a guided night-time tour of the turtle nesting spots on the beach, visit the Cape Three Points, the southernmost point in Ghana.

• 4.7406-2.09161 Cape Three Points Lighthouse (7.5 km west of Akwidaa on Akwidaa-Newtown Rd). Lighthouse at end of Cape Three Points, which is the closest land to 0 degrees latitude and 0 degrees longitude. It is a rough road en transit to here; may require 4x4. Also "tourist office" at entrance to cape will charge something like 5 cedis. But views are really phenomenal from the point.  (updated Aug 2020)
• Akwidaa Beach — A relatively quiet stretch of Atlantic coastline with sandy beaches and tropical vegetation.
• Akwidaa village — The settlement provides an opportunity to experience everyday life in a small coastal community in western Ghana.
• Western Ghana coastline — The surrounding coast contains beaches, fishing villages, lagoons and remnants of historic European trading activity.
• Nzulezu — A traditional settlement built partly over water on Lake Tadane, farther inland from the coast.

• Axim — A historic coastal town farther west, known for Fort Santo Antonio and its beaches.
• Cape Three Points — A scenic coastal destination near Akwidaa.
• Takoradi — The major commercial and transport centre of western Ghana.
• Nzulezu — A distinctive traditional settlement associated with Lake Tadane.
• Western Ghana — A region of beaches, tropical forests, historic forts and coastal communities.