This is the Ghana chapter from Lonely Planet's West Africa guidebook.

Hailed as West Africa's golden child, Ghana deserves its place in the sun. Its beaches are buttered with thick white sand and its savannahs are blessed with the footprints of elephants - no wonder travellers can't get enough.

• head out west in search of surf and sea turtles at Busua, Akwidaa Beach and Axim
• maps
• join the world's most inexpensive safari in Mole National Park
• transport & directory
• tour the forts of Cape Coast and Elmina to learn about the history of slavery
• restaurants & accommodation

Coverage includes: Accra & around, University of Ghana, Aburi Botanical Gardens & Akwapim Hills, The Coast, Kokrobite Beach, Fete, Senya Bereku & Budumburam, Winneba, Apam, Saltpond & Abanze, Anomabu, Cape Coast, Kakum National Park & around, Elmina, Sekondi-Takoradi, Busua & Dixcove, Butre, Akwidaa Beach, Cape Three Points, Princes Town, Axim, Beyin & Nzulezu, Ankasa Nature Reserve, The East, Akosombo, Ho & around, Hohoe & around, Keta, The Centre, Kumasi & around, Boabeng-Fiema Monkey Sanctuary, Yeji, The North, Tamale, Tamale to Hohoe, Mole National Park, Larabanga, Wa, Wechiau Hippo Sanctuary, Bolgatanga & around, Gambarga Escarpment, Paga.