Apam

Apam is a town in Coastal Plain region of Ghana.

Get in

Take a Tro-Tro from Kaneshie station in Accra (this can be reached from Nkrumah Circle and any point in the city by taxi) to Apam or Cape Coast, the latter will drop you off at the nearby (8–10 km) junction where traffic to the village is reasonably frequent. This will cost about 12'000 cedis while a Taxi ride from Accra or Cape Coast will cost at minimum 200'000.

Get around

Taxis are not needed, or even desirable since to really soak up this pleasant and bustling village you need to be on foot. Still, if you really need the drive to the fort or beach then the Motor Park where you arrive provides ample transport.

See

Fort Patience construction began in 1697 but its completion did not occur until 1702. Hence the name they gave to the fort - Lijdzaamheid, meaning 'patience'. According to the local tour guide the fort was used as a holding place for slaves. In the slave quarters you will find shackles and weapons. There are great views over the bay and over the busy fish market right by the beach. The market is a superb way to take in the local culture and way of life as well as being a melange of colourful sights and sounds. It is one of several forts along the Ghanan coast making up the UNESCO World Heritage site "Forts and Castles, Volta, Greater Accra, Central and Western Regions".

Do

Beaches: The beaches along the fishing area are calm but somewhat polluted. The beaches on the other side have stronger waves but are preferable for relaxing.

Churches: Many of the churches offer English sermons.

Adventure: A ride in a fishing boat is easily arranged with a few extra cedis encouragement, but don't go nuts, 30'000 should be a maximum per person!

Smiles: A local bar recently built is a great place to have drinks and go dancing. They play local music but American music is available on request. There are two dance floors, one is outside under the stars.

Buy

The fish market leads onto the main one where there is plenty in food terms but little in craft or cloth.

Eat

Lakeland Restaurant, is a reasonable distance from the local market, but can be reached easily in a taxi for 4GH. Therestaurant offers traditional ghanean cuisine and a nice ambiance. The outdoor seating area is tiled with an adjacent bar. The food combined with the local tunes makes this part is a great place for socailizing with friends.

If you're feeling adventurous, then chop (Ghanean word for food) is available at some bars as well as the markets, but going to Winneba or even onto Cape coast may provide a better meal.

Drink

A decent range of spots of the usual Ghana standard with the usual Ghana standards-limited beers and soft drinks.

Sleep

Aside from a hotel a few miles out of town (the name escapes me) the fort guest house is the only other choice, and my use of the facilities there and a quick peak into the rooms prompted a quick retreat from the proprietor. Save your money for Winneba (the Lagoon Lodge is an absolutely smashing place) or Cape Coast.

Go next

Tro-Tros and line Taxis ply the route to the junction as well as to Winneba junction. From these places transport can be found to Accra, Cape Coast as well as sites in the area.