My first visit to Ghana was an exciting journey from Canada. While searching for flights, I ended up booking one that traveled through France. Later I found out that I could have taken a direct flight from the US. For most Caribbean and other international travelers, the options often involve layovers in the US or Europe. It’s something I’ve noticed lately, especially for those of African descent- that direct flight routes to Ghana are limited.
I can’t wait for the day when there are more direct flights to Ghana for African diasporans. This would make the journey simpler and more accessible for Africans in the diaspora. Many would at least visit Africa, but the travel difficulties limit them. It would be great to see travel made easier for African diasporans to visit Africa.
In this blog, I’ll share with you the best flight routes to Ghana and my experience flying there for the first time. Let’s dive in.
Video summary of the best flight routes to Accra, Ghana.
How My Trip Started
Before my trip to Ghana, I was in Jamaica. Due to the lack of direct flights from Jamaica to Ghana, I had to travel to Canada, then from Canada to France, and finally to Ghana. Although this route was a bit strenuous, my excitement made it all worth it. I flew to Canada and got my vaccines. After that I was off to the motherland.
Even though this was the longest flight I had taken up to that point—20 hours across multiple airports—it was by far my best flight ever. I’m used to shorter flights of 4 to 5 hours, but this one was different. Yet, despite the lengthy journey, it felt like the troubles of the Western world stayed behind me. The entire flight was surprisingly refreshing, healing, and irie, as Jamaicans would say.
I hope that one day, all Africans in the Diaspora will have the chance to experience that same sense of relief and freedom. There’s something special about being in the motherland. I believe it’s an experience that every African deserves.
What Canadian Travellers Need to Know About Flight Routes to Ghana
Flight Routes to Ghana From the United States
Some of the most common flight routes to Ghana are through New York (JFK), Washington, D.C. (IAD), and Los Angeles (LAX). Airlines like Delta and United Airlines usually offer direct flights, which generally take anywhere from 9 to 11 hours. Other airlines, such as Qatar Airways and British Airways, also provide connecting flights through Doha and London.
Best Flight Routes to Ghana From The Caribbean
I believe that one day there will be direct flights from the Caribbean to Ghana. This will make it much more accessible to the African peoples from the Caribbean. Travelers from the Caribbean currently face many challenges when it comes to transiting through countries that require a transit visa. Direct flights would eliminate this problem. What adds to this is that the Ghanaian government has made traveling to Ghana visa-free for the African diaspora.
For now, the options for Caribbean nationals are to transit through either Europe or the U.S. If you are coming from Jamaica (as with most other Caribbean nations), an option would be to fly to New York and get a straight flight to Accra (New York, JFK > Accra). Caribbean travelers can also fly to Europe(LHR, Heathrow) and take a direct flight to Accra. Let’s keep our fingers crossed that soon Caribbean nationals can fly straight to Ghana.
Flight Routes to Ghana From European Countries
When it comes to flight routes to Ghana from the UK, London (LHR, Harthrow) to Accra (ACC) is the best and fastest route. This option offers direct flights to Accra lasting about 6-7 hours. Airlines like KLM and Air France are the best options for direct flights.
Other European countries have similar flight times and are usually busier than North America and the Caribbean.
How My Flight Ended
I slept through most of the flight to Ghana, which departed at midnight on Sunday and landed in Ghana around 7:30 PM on Monday. Despite the long hours in the air, this unforgettable experience is one I would gladly relive over and over again.
There’s something about the journey—despite the exhaustion—that makes the arrival even more special. The anticipation and the sense of heading home to the motherland made every moment of the trip worthwhile. When I landed I was very tired and I slept through the rest Monday night, and some of Tuesday. After that my adventure began.
Conclusion
When I reflect on my journey to Ghana, I remember Marcus Garvey’s passion for Africans in the diaspora to return home. The deep connection I felt to the land allowed me to understand this passion. Not even the long flights and layovers could take away this great love I felt for the motherland. The experience has taught me the best flight routes to Ghana and also about the wonders that are present within it.
The healing and freedom I have felt through this trip are worth every minute. As I said before, I hope for the day when people in the African diaspora can get direct flights to Ghana, regardless of where in the world they are. I also hope that every African will get to feel the same sense of relief and healing I have felt on this journey. At the end of the day, this journey will go down in history as one of my best ones.
