Nestled in the heart of Ghana’s Ashanti region, the village of Banko offers an intimate experience of Ghana’s rich heritage and culture. Situated one and a half hours from Kumasi and approximately five hours from Accra, Banko is accessible by public transportation or Uber from Kumasi. The journey reveals Ghana’s diverse landscapes, with stretches of well-maintained roads alongside rustic routes that showcase the charming, authentic experience of African travel.

Banko’s unique setting and community life

Banko is a typical Ghanaian village of around 5,000 people. With local stores, it provides a glimpse into everyday life while still offering essentials to visitors. This traditional Ashanti village lies between lush mountains, making it an excellent destination for hiking, birdwatching, and climbing. The area is particularly scenic during the rainy season, when the green landscape is at its most vibrant.

Experiencing authentic Ghana with BWO hostel

At Banko Women Organization hostel (BWO hostel), our team is proud to offer guests an immersive experience of Ghanaian life. Our tours highlight Banko’s natural beauty, local traditions, and the warmth of its people. We hear time and again from our guests that their time in Banko felt like a genuine encounter with Ghanaian culture.

As you tour the village with our guide, Ike, you’ll learn firsthand about life in Ghana. From agriculture to spirituality, our Ashanti tour provides a deeper understanding of the local lifestyle and values.

Insights into Ghanaian culture: a village walk with Ike

Ike begins the village tour by introducing guests to the region’s agricultural roots. About 52% of Ghanaians work in agriculture, and Felix shares this reality by taking guests through our private forest to nearby cacao and catfish farms. He explains the significance of each crop and demonstrates how local ingredients, like dried catfish, enrich Ghanaian cuisine.

The tour continues with insights into Ghanaian medicinal plants and trees. Guests often marvel at the “jungle-like” vegetation, which Felix clarifies are family-owned farms, offering examples of various local produce. Felix might even use his machete to pick a ripe cacao pod for guests to taste, letting them enjoy the surprising sweetness of fresh cacao.

As we approach the village, we pass by houses in various stages of construction. Felix explains the mix of materials used, from mud blocks to cement, shedding light on housing and construction in Ghana. He also discusses Ghana’s spiritual beliefs, such as offerings made to the local river spirits. Ghanaian life often blends Christianity with traditional beliefs; Banko alone has over 10 churches and two mosques, creating a unique fusion of faiths.

Education and community initiatives

A key part of the village walk includes an overview of local education and a visit to the Banko Women Organization. Here, guests learn about the Ghanaian education system through our explanations and discover how local groups empower women through skills training and community development.

Tips for discovering the “real” Ghana

To fully experience Ghana, we recommend:

• Have an open mind and vision, sometimes we already think we know how something works and forget to really dig in.
• Ask your questions to people who know everything about life in Ghana and not just fellow travelers
• Try not to see too much. Ghana is 7 times bigger than the Netherlands, you can’t see everything in 3 weeks!
• Try to add a festival to your program, if not you can go to Kokrobite on a Friday night for a traditional drum and dance performance. Jennifer wrote a blogpost about festivals in Ghana.
• Book an Ashanti tour with BWO hostel – We’ll introduce you to the sights, flavors, and rhythms of Ashanti life. You may even get to attend a wedding, funeral, or church service, adding another layer to your Ghanaian experience.

Enjoying a truly beautiful area of Ghana

The place itself, the surroundings, the team…is super friendly, always willing to give good advice, a chat, but also give you time for yourself.
The room and facilities are top notch. The food, yes the food, as a vegetarian I thoroughly enjoyed. Different dishes every day, pretty much organic, local dishes (but not too fatty or spicy) like redred, fufu (which as a guest you get to help prepare, so fun and educational!!!).
The garden is so beautiful and relaxing, big and just to chill on the terrace and watch the birds, squirrels,…is so much fun.

I took the Ultimate experience tour which is a perfect combination of experiencing village life, hiking in the surrounding hills, visiting a nearby national park with waterfalls (where you can have a nice swim), learning about Kente, adinkra and cacao and visiting Ghana’s second largest city Kumasi…really worth booking this tour (by the way food, transportation and accommodation are included in the price, which I find very convenient).
To sum everything up. BWO hostel is a perfect guesthouse that lets you enjoy so many different things at a leisurely pace (while also having time for yourself) in a truly beautiful area of Ghana.

Kurt Simoens