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Johan Kruseman
To close my stories about Ghana, I want to talk about the incredibly friendly people I met during my three-week backpacking adventure. It’s hard to fully capture the warmth and kindness of the people here, so let me share just a few of the moments that left me truly touched.
The boy who let me score
One afternoon, a 14-year-old boy invited me to join a game of foosball. It didn’t take long for him to realize he was at least ten times better than me. Instead of showing off or brushing me aside, he picked up the ball mid-game and placed it right in front of my middle striker so I could score a goal. I’ll never forget his smile when I celebrated my “achievement”—it was as if he had just won the game himself.
The mini-van driver who gave back our money
Traveling in Ghana often means taking “trotros,” shared mini-vans that only leave once every seat is filled. On one ride, my travel mate and I decided to pay for the two remaining seats so we could leave sooner. Just before we departed, an extra passenger arrived and paid for one of those seats. To my surprise, the driver turned around and handed the money back to us. I’ve traveled to many countries, but it’s rare to experience this level of honesty and fairness.
The boy at the king’s festival
At a vibrant king’s festival, a young boy approached me—not to beg for money, but just to ask for some water. I happily bought him a bottle, and to my amazement, he handed it to his younger brother, who I hadn’t even noticed before. Touched by his selflessness, I bought him another bottle, and the wide smile of gratitude he gave me in return is a memory I’ll cherish forever.
Dinner with a family of 14
In one village, I was invited to share dinner with a mother and her 14 children. Every day, she explained, she cooked for all of them—fufu for lunch and dinner, and tea for breakfast. After we ate, I offered to pay for the meal, but she waved me off with a big smile, refusing to take anything. It was humbling to realize how often those with the least are the ones most willing to share. Her generosity was a wake-up call for me, coming from a culture where we often focus on protecting what we’ve earned rather than sharing it.
The hostel owner giving back to his community
At the Savannah Lodge, I met a man who had turned his business into a source of hope for his village. Every cedi he earned from tourists went to funding free education for the local children. I even saw him share half of his breakfast with a young girl passing by on her way to school. His quiet acts of kindness reflected a deep love for his community and an inspiring selflessness.
An unexpected night on an airstrip
In Larabanga, near Mole National Park, some local boys offered to take me and two German backpackers to “a good place to celebrate.” Expecting a bar or a small gathering, we instead found ourselves on a deserted airstrip in the middle of a national park. Halfway there, they asked if we’d ever driven a motorbike before. When we said no, they handed over the handlebars and let us give it a go. What followed was a night of riding up and down the sandy runway, dancing to music from a small JBL speaker, and laughing under the stars. If you ever visit Mole National Park, be sure to spend a night at Savannah lodge in neighbouring Larabanga, visit the oldest mosque of Ghana and say hi to Sadik and his friends—they’ll make your visit unforgettable.
The taxi driver and his dreams of a second wife
One day, a cheerful taxi driver told me his life story. He’d worked in Libya for years to save enough money to buy a car and build a house, which had allowed him to marry. Now, he joked, he was saving up for a second wife, explaining that in his religion, you can have as many wives as you can support. When asked if women could also marry multiple husbands, he laughed and re-explained the simple system: men earn money; with money they support their wives; so more money means more wives, not the other way round. His humor and openness made for a truly memorable ride.
A Culture of Warmth and Generosity
Throughout my trip, I was struck again and again by the fairness and generosity of the Ghanaian people. Many of them could use the money far more than most people in my home country, yet they were quick to share what they had, always with a smile. Ghana taught me that kindness and community spirit are priceless—and they’re something I’ll carry with me long after this journey.
