The Eastern Region is home to some of the friendliest and most polite people in the country. Split into unequal halves by the vast Volta Lake and the Afram River , the region is a rich blend of dramatic landscapes, historic relics and traditional cultures. Dominated by the immense Akosombo Dam, the region is rich in minerals. Despite its smaller size, it has 4 of the 10 major traditional authorities and some of the most glamorous festivals. Rita Marley calls the Eastern Region,

Cultivation of Cocoa in Ghana

is the lifeblood of the Eastern Region. And it is here that cocoa was first planted back in 1879 - when a blacksmith turned farmer, named Tetteh Quarshie, smuggled some seedlings into Ghana (the Gold Coast) from the tiny island of Fernando Po in the Gulf of Guinea . Little did he know that one day his experiment in horticulture would become Ghana 's leading export. Ghana cocoa is considered the best in the world and is blended with other species to make the finest chocolates in Europe . Near the regional capital of Koforidua is the Tafo Cocoa Research Institute. It was established in 1938 and houses a research laboratory and a large experimental farm. The institute carries out research into problems relating to the production of cocoa, coffee, kola, shea nut and other indigenous oil tree crops which produce fats similar to cocoa butter. Visitors are welcome and are given tours of the laboratory and plantation. Did you know there are at least 23 different species cocoa? All are subspecies of Theobroma cacao (Latin for "food of the gods") This differentiation is mainly due to hybridisation withefforts to produce larger yields, faster harvest cycles and resistence to diseases and pests. Criollo , the prince of cocoa beans, is a soft thin-skinned pod, with a light colour and a unique pleasant aroma. Orastero , a more plentiful type, is easier to cultivate and has a thick walled pod and a pungent aroma. Rinitario , which is believed to be a natural cross from strains of the other two types, has a great variety of characteristics, but generally possesses good aromatic flavour. Visitors to the Eastern Region can also see the original farm where Tetteh Quarshie planted his seedlings. His home and the farm are preserved near the town of Mampong .

The Volta Lake

dominates the Eastern region, the largest man-made lake in the world. The lake was created when the Akosombo Dam was built in the 1960s to generate hydroelectrid power. The dam is 124 metres high and 368 metres wide. Tours of the dam are possible and one good place to view the dam and appreciate its size is from the terrace of the Volta Lake Hotel. Another activity popular with both locals and tourists is a cruise on the lake. Each Sunday the "Dodi Island Princess" makes a four-hour cruise across the lake and along its shore to Dodi Island where passengers are greeted enthusiastically by local drummers and people selling crafts. The cruise includes live "Hi-Life" music and lunch onboard.

The Akwapim Ridge

the Krobo Mountains , the Kwahu scarp, and the rolling hills of the Eastern Region overlook scenic landscapes of gently flowing rivers, waterfalls and untouched forest and fauna. The region is famous for its large areas of pristine tropical forest and its plentiful birds and butterflies. The largest tree in Ghana is located near Aboabo at Asantemanso. This impressive Bako tree stands 180 feet tall, with a diameter of 10 feet its entire hieght. The seasonal Boti waterfall near the shore of the Volta Lake is one of the most beautiful in all of Ghana and features several unusual umbrella rock formations in the immediate vicinity. Near Kyebi in the magic forest of Atewa-Atwinebu is a little known butterfly sanctuary where more than 150 species have been recorded. The local paramount chief has dedicated a volunteer youth task force to protecting the environment in hopes that the Eastern Region will continue to develop as a centre for nature ecotourism. At Akwatia, you will find Ghana 's largest diamond mine, which produces 30,000 carots a month. 

The Regional Capital is Koforidua

a city of 100,000 people with a spectacular market. Since the Eastern Region gets fewer tourists, the market is a wonderful place to take pictures. Unlike the large markets in Accra and Kumasi , the vendors are not shy and love to see visitors. This market is also the best place to buy beads in Ghana . In the surrounding villages like Odumase there are many workshops that produce the famous Krobo glass beads which Ghana is known for. "Bead Ladies" as they are called, have great knowledge of all kinds of ceremonial and trade beads from all over Africa . Krobo beads take their name from the nearby Krobo Hills, the ancestral home of a sub-group with its own language. You can visit some of the bead villages and see how artisans prepare the molds and fire the beads in local kilns.

No Tour of the Eastern Region is complete without a visit to the Aburi Gardens . Established in 1890, the Aburi Botanical Gardens is a showcase of some of Ghana 's most impressive flora. There is a magnificent silk cotton tree ( Ceiba pentrandra ) that rises nearly 50 metres above the grounds. Draped in giant philodendrons that climb up its massive trunk, this specimen is the sole survivor of the original forest that once covered the Aburi hills. The gardens are an important research centre for botonists and university students. The entrance is flanked by two rows of stately royal palms, creating the feeling of entering a forest cathedral. Aburi is also a good place to watch birds, and many types of butterflies are found here. Nearby is the town of Mompong with its Centre for Scientific Research into Herbal Medicine. Traditional healers are a fixture of Ghana . The shrine at Akonedi is a healing centre, while the  Akomofo Anokye shrine is well known for the role it played in Ashanti history.

The Eastern Region is a blend of the past and the present, marked by many festivals at various times of the year. There are six dominant ethnic groups, all of whom have a rich and colourful history. The kings of these groups are known by the following names: New Juabenhene, Okyehehe, Okwapehene and the Akwamuhene. Some of the festivals are Akantukese - celebrated by the people of New Juaben - and Odwira, a gathering of the Akwapims and the Akyems. As always, these festivals are marked by colourful processions of royals, complete with their retinues of praise-singers, linguists, priests and warriors. Visitors are always welcome and photography is encouraged. A good measure of Ghana 's hospitality is reflected in many tourists being asked to join in the dancing. One of the other famous festivals in the region is the Dipo, celebrated by the Krobo people. The Dipo is a puberty ceremony marking a young girl's entrance into womanhood. Elsewhere in the region there are other historical points of interest such as the remains of the 17th century Slave Market at Abonse. The Royal Palace at Kyebi, an excellent example of Akan architecture, is open to visitors.