Ghana, my home. Being the first generation born in America of my family was, and still is an interesting ride. Growing up, I had a hard time fully connecting with my heritage because I was so immersed in the culture around me. I also struggled with learning our native tounge, Twi, one of my many regrets to this day because my mom spoke mostly English at home. I remember being teased by family members about being "too American" and getting teased at school for being "too African." Where did I fit in? When I turned 8 years old, I begged my mom to take me to Ghana and she agreed. There I was, a skinny little girl dressed in her favorite WWE Undertaker graphic tee, cropped jeans and Skechers in Ghana for the first time ever. At such a young age it was difficult to fully value all that Ghana had to offer which is why I had to do it again. Traveling back as an adult was life-changing. I learned so much more about myself, my lineage, my culture and connected the dots with what was missing from my childhood. It is currently my goal to visit Ghana once a year, if possible. Confession: my Twi still needs some work!

My time in Ghana was spent mostly with family and going to the market to purchase ingredients for home-cooked meals. I enjoyed the food, nightlife, shopping (or haggling) and a few tourist attractions. Here are some highlights:

Dining

We don't play when it comes to food in Ghana. Everything is fresh and locally sourced from farms and you can just tell the fish was caught the day before. One of my favorite dishes is Banku, fermented corn and cassava dough which is prepared into a smooth consistent paste-like dish, paired with grilled tilapia. I enjoyed the best of it from Phillips, a street-side restaurant. By now you should know that Ghana has the best Jollof, - no doubt about it (don't lose this argument lol). When I wasn't getting a bowl of it from a street vendor, I enjoyed some at Buka Restaurant in Osu, Accra; where they sell both Nigerian and authentic Ghanaian cuisine. Oh and don't leave Ghana without chopping at Chez Clarrise, their menu is bomb.com.

Nightlife

If you are visiting Ghana in December around or after Christmas, be prepared to see tons of young, fashionable and hype people doing the same. December is a time where many "welcome home" parties take place. Ghanaians who currently live in the U.S. or United Kingdom return home for vacation around this time. I attended an all-white attire party, an all-black attire party and an outdoor extravaganza called Little Havana in Aburi Botanic Gardens. Parties like these take place around the clock, but you're more than likely to find a party going on at a nearby restaurant or on the streets.

Shopping

Don't attempt to go shopping by yourself, especially if you don't speak the native tongue. Shopping is all about haggling and if a seller can tell you're not a local, they will try their best to get as much money from you. You'll rarely find a seller unwilling to decrease their prices but there is certainly an art in asking for a discount! The Accra Arts Centre is a prime location to purchase locally made clothes, accessories, art carvings or even a fresh coconut to sip on. Osu is lined with boutiques and street vendors selling intricate fabrics, art and clothes. If you have a bigger budget, feel free to check out the Accra Mall.

History

The Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park was one of the most magnificent parks I've seen. The park pays homage to Ghana's first president Kwame Nkrumah and his remains are also buried on site. A museum is nestled in the back filled with artifacts he once owned, before, during and after his presidency. Honestly, nothing could compare.

Your high school history books will never hold a candle to what Ghana can teach you about history. My family and I trekked to Cape Coast to visit the Cape Coast Castle, also known as Elmina Castle, one of about forty castles in Ghana. Built by the European traders in the 1600s, over 1,500 slaves were held captive at once, awaiting the journey of no return. This was an emotional experience, I cried all throughout our tour, but I'm so blessed I was able to witness only a piece of Ghana's history, my history. Don't leave Ghana without diving into your own history lesson. Locals are more than happy to share what they know and leave you with a nugget of wisdom.