Daniel Neilson

Once overshadowed by its bigger and louder neighbours, Edmonton is now firmly on the map. This is in large part due to a collection of great museums in the city, which continue to attract tourists and nearby Canadians to Edmonton (who then stay for the various culinary delights and great coffee on offer).  So gone are the days where Edmonton was only known for its huge shopping mall, and both its growing population and visiting tourists need places to lay their heads. Luckily, Edmonton is home to many fantastic hotels, from the classic to the utterly unique. From hotels with free daily wine tastings to arctic igloos you can sleep in, these are the best hotels in Edmonton right now.  RECOMMENDED:📍 The best things to do in Edmonton🍽️ The best restaurants in Edmonton🇨🇦 Our ultimate guide to Canada This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, click here.

Many Ghanaians speak English or Pidgin English mixed in with words from these local languages to create a distinctive way of speaking unique to Ghana. It is a commonly known fact that although many Africans and people of African descent speak Pidgin English, it is slightly different in every country. Below is a simplified guide to some slang and tribal terms commonly used among Ghanaians. Photograph: Shutterstock.comUmbrella Rock, Ghana   Akata: a foreigner, usually an African-American Akpeteshie: This locally brewed spirit is made from fermented palm wine and is highly intoxicating (like moonshine). It is also known as Apio. Akwaaba – Welcome Alata: A term commonly used to describe Nigerians, to their great displeasure as it means pepper seller in their language. (Derived from the Yoruba language) Asem: Problem(s) (Akan term) Aunty: In West Africa, the title aunty is given to any older woman to whom deference is shown. Awam: The word awam, meaning fake, is derived from the abbreviation for the Association of West African Merchants that duped citizens out of their hard-earned money. Azaa: Dubious Babylon: England Boga: A Ghanaian living abroad, this word originated from the word Hamburger after residents of Hamburg, many of who are of Ghanaian origin.  Chale: Friend (Ga term) Chalewotey: the word for Flip-flops. ‘Chale’ in Ga means friend or buddy and ‘Wote’ means ‘let's go.’ So literally the word Chalewotey means ‘my friend let’s go’ and is a perfect description for the ea

Ghana is a country with 7 major languages (Twi, Ga, Fanti, Ewe, Dangbe, Hausa and English), and although you won’t be expected to understand them all, it might help to know a few keywords that you can use to pepper up your conversation and charm or surprise people.  Many Ghanaians speak English or Pidgin English mixed in with words from these local languages to create a distinctive way of talking unique to Ghana. It is a commonly known fact that although many Africans and people of African descent speak Pidgin English, it is slightly different in every country. Below is a simplified guide to some slang and tribal terms commonly used among the people of Ghana. Together with examples of how they are used: Photograph: Shutterstock.comWli Falls, Ghana A beg: I beg, Please: - 'A beg no wound me' - 'Please don’t hurt me' See: On the English-speaking West Coast of Africa, people often use the word ‘see’ instead of the usual ‘look at’. - Oh chale, see the way he is dancing! He wan embarrass us oh! - 'Oh dude, look at the way he’s dancing! He’s trying to embarrass us!' Akata (n): a foreigner, usually an African-American Akpeteshie: This locally brewed spirit is made from highly fermented palm wine and is highly intoxicating (like moonshine). It is also known as Apio. Akwaaba: Welcome Alata: A term commonly used to describe Nigerians, to their great displeasure, as it means pepper seller in their language. (Derived from the Yoruba language) Asem: Problem(s) (Akan term) Aunty: In West

With dozens of bars vying for tipplers’ attention in the Ghanaian capital, it can be difficult knowing where to start when you embark on a night out. Whether you end up at a cocktail bar on the main drag or a side-street dive, there’s great boozy fun to be had here, and that’s why we’ve whittled the hundreds of brilliant bars in Accra down to just six. From a throbbing music bar with live highlife to mixology magic in industrial-chic surrounds, these spots offer some of the best good times imaginable. We recommend stocking up beforehand at one of the best restaurants in Accra, and if it’s views you’re after, go all-out with a drink at one of these terraces.  Drank somewhere on this list and loved it? Share it with the hashtag #TimeOutDrinkList. You can also find out more about how Time Out makes recommendations and reviews bars.

It’s the sound of the ceiling fan flapping the mosquito net against the bedhead; it’s the refreshing temperature of the river water you wash with in the morning; it’s the early morning light highlighting the stuttering stream of families filling water in buckets, pans, bowls and jugs, loading them on their head and getting ready to start their day. It’s the little things that have stayed with me – the minutiae of daily life in Atsiekpoe, a small riverside community in Ghana’s Volta Region. The deep clunk of a blacksmith’s hammer striking through red hot metal onto an English-made anvil; the second basket an 11-year-old Moses made for us, determinedly making another after he deemed the first not good enough; my slightly embarrassing attempt on goal from a perfect cross on a dusty pitch. I spent 24 hours among the beautiful people of Atsiekpoe, and it became one of my top five Ghanaian memories. It may even be my favourite. From our hotel in Accra, we (me and my mum) jumped into a 1992 Nissan Safari with bull bars and a roof rack. At the wheel was James Amusu, an affable, kind-hearted man with beads on his wrist, an easy smile and a ready supply of jokes. He would be our driver and guide for the next three days, on behalf of Jolinaiko Eco Tours, a Ghanaian-Dutch-run tour company with a passion for eco-tourism and community development, such as in villages including Atsiekpoe. The itinerary ahead of us included a stay at Ghana’s highest village, an ascent of the country’s second

There’s a fondness for Halifax whenever you mention it to someone who has visited the endearing capital of the Canadian province of Nova Scotia. The relaxed pace of life, hot days on nearby beaches, evenings along the harbourfront boardwalk, and lobster, always lobster. It’s a small city of just 400,000 inhabitants, and one that celebrates the independent: craft breweries and art galleries, restaurant patios and artisanal shops, which make it a delight to explore on foot, while out in the ocean lie all manner of attractions waiting to be spotted, from submarines and whales in the depths of the sea to seabirds overhead. The hotels are a mix of the usual corporate suspects and quaint nautically-themed B&Bs, with a couple of grand classics thrown in, and a dizzying range of options at more touristy Peggy’s Cove, around a 45-minute drive from downtown Halifax. You'll find the friendly Nova Scotia welcome at all of them, and our pick of the best dozen here.

The opening dates and gallery locations for Wiz Edinam Kudowor’s first major retrospective in Accra, has been announced. The collection is made up of more than 50 powerful paintings and other assorted works that have never been displayed in the public domain. After a series of discussions and curatorial advice, it was decided to stage a multiple-location exhibition due to the expansive nature of the collection. The collection spans a period of 40 years including works from Wiz’ high school days from the early 1970s. The works include figure drawing, portraiture, still life, architectural designs, fabric designs and his well-known signature style of figurative abstraction with influences of African masks, geometric patterns and esoteric symbolism. The medium range from pastel, acrylic, charcoal, collage, appliqué and watercolour. The exhibition opens at Ano Gallery on Friday, 16th March and follows through with subsequent openings on 20th and 22nd at Berj Gallery and Artists Alliance Gallery respectively. This retrospective will reestablish Wiz Kudowor as a powerful force to reckon with in the vibrant Ghanaian art scene. Sela Adjei will be the lead Curator for the Exhibition. Curatorial advisors for the exhibition are Prof. Ablade Glover and Nana Oforiatta Ayim. Follow AnoGhana, Grin Studios, Berj Gallery and Artists Alliance Gallery for further details.

This December be sure to keep an eye on the best events, new openings, gigs, shows, theatre productions, and, well, anything really.

2017-18 Visitor Guide The NINTH edition of Time Out's Accra for Visitors is your essential guide to the best bars, finest restaurants, coolest shops and must-see sights in Ghana's thrilling capital. In this issue, we're celebrating 60 years of Ghana's independence with a look at the 60 most important things that define Ghana and make it the Black Star of Africa. Elsewhere, we catch up with the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts and discover some new and exciting plans, we look at the exploding art scene in Jamestown, and visit the ANO cultural centre. In our Shopping section, we look at the ethical fashion design in Ghana and in our Arts section we meet rising Ghanaian artist Godfried Donkor. You'll also find dozens more interviews, features and reviews of the very best Accra and Ghana has to offer.Plus, every review has been updated and there are dozens of additions by Time Out's team of local writers who have scoured the city to reveal Accra's greatest hits and exciting hidden delights. When the city becomes too sticky, then our correspondents around the country have suggested the best beaches, national parks and trips out of town. Whether visiting for pleasure or business, on a budget or on an expenses account, Accra for Visitors 2017/18 has it covered. Don't visit Ghana without it.  BUY THE DIGITAL VERSION HERE DOWNLOAD FROM THE APPLE APP STORE HERE DOWNLOAD FROM THE GOOGLE PLAY STORE HERE Pick it up from: Koala OsuKoala Airport ResMax Mart 37Wild GeckoCuppa

Read on for our guide to the week's coolest events and most interesting venues. If you manage to tick off all ten, head back to our home page for daily updates on the best restaurants, cultural events, nightlife, and whatever else Accra manages to think up before our next Hot List is published on Monday.

Christmas in Accra essentially starts the 1st of November. The music in supermarkets suddenly becomes more festive, the decor in the shops gets a little bit more sparkly, and come December, it is impossible to miss the Santas and Christmas trees on the corner of every street. Whether you are spending your first ever Christmas in Accra and need to decorate from scratch, or if you are an Accra resident and need a Crimbo decor update, you'll have no trouble tracking down your Christmas theme in Accra.   OrcaThe Christmas spread that greets shoppers at Orca is impressive to say the least, especially for the beginning of November. Trees, reindeers, baubles in every colour, wreaths in every shape and size and an infinite amount of tinsel. We felt Orca definitely offered the widest range of decoration, and immediately got us in the Christmas mood. Get inspired by one of their Christmas tables or intricately decorated trees, Orca has a little bit for everyone. MelcomThe place to shop for all things Christmas. Melcom has been a firm favourite in Accra for years. Their Christmas decorations allow for a tasteful, fun yet affordable festive season. And with multiple stores all over the country and throughout Accra, there's no excuse not to go a little OTT. But for their widest range of Christmas products, it's definitely all about their main store in Industrial Area or their brand new Achimota store. Finest Gifts If you haven't heard of or been to Finest Gifts, you can now thank us. This

Ake yaa heko // One does not take it anywhere  On Tuesday 21st November 2017, Gallery 1957 welcomed an exclusive group of guests to witness the collaboration of world-famous coffin designer, Paa Joe, and modern performance artist, Elisabeth Efua Sutherland, in their portrayal of traditional funeral customs in Ghana. We were impressed as soon as we walked though the doors, but the real star of the show was the performance that accompanied the opening of this unique exhibition. Guests were led up the escalators by a drumming procession headed by Paa Joe himself, while traditional music and dancing increased our anticipation of what was about to take place. Efua Sutherland’s performance captivated everyone’s imagination and took all our breaths away. A wave of dancers carried in a young girl on a boat, whose death, traditional mourning, funeral and journey to the afterlife were depicted through dance and music. The performance allowed onlookers to move along with it and travel on the journey through the water to the afterlife with the performers. Inspired by Ga and Fante funerals, the coastal hometowns of both artists, there was also a direct coastal theme. The performance eventually ended in the Gallery itself, where Paa Joe looked on as people admired his specially curated collection of coffins and the performance of the afterlife that went along with it. Coinciding with his 70th birthday celebration, Paa Joe stated it was an immense honour and a sort of ‘homecoming’ to have t