In every Ghanaian kitchen, there is one pot that teaches patience, faith, and the art of trusting the process: okro stew. It is the only stew that can stretch like your life plans, wobble halfway through, threaten embarrassment, and still come together beautifully in the end.

The making of okro stew begins with a calm hand and a knowing smile. Palm oil warms slowly in the pot, turning a deep sunset red before sliced onions hit the surface and release that unmistakable home smell. Then comes momone and kako; the bold, unapologetic ingredients that announce themselves before you even lift the lid. They are not shy, and okro stew would be incomplete without their attitude.

The pepper mix goes into the pot. And when that simmers for a while, the fresh okro is chopped with intention, not haste. Some prefer it fine, others chunky, but everyone agrees it must be ready to draw. Seasoning follows – not too much, just enough to remind you that balance is a skill.

Read Also: The 6-hour Shake: Why Ghana’s Bumpy Roads Are the Ultimate Travel Test

As the pot simmers, the stew thickens, stretches, and transforms. This is where the magic happens. One stir turns into many. You watch closely. You wait. You hope.

Okro stew doesn’t stand alone. It invites companions. Banku, eba, even plain rice rise to the occasion, happily carrying the stew’s silky weight. You see, okro stew is more than food. It’s a reminder that some things, like home, may stretch, but they never break.

Watch the video below for a pictorial version of the preparation:

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The flight from Accra to Kumasi takes 45 minutes. Smooth. Efficient. Quiet. But Nikki and Tommy, retired U.S. Army veterans and hosts of Travel Tips and Recommendations, didn’t take the flight. They took the road.

“It’s a six-hour road trip you’ll never forget—and you’ll wish you were never on,” Tommy laughs, shaking his head. “Facts.”

Welcome to Ghana’s infrastructure paradox: a country rich in history, culture, and energy, where the journey between two of its most important cities feels like an expedition.

The Reality of the Road

The couple’s bus—luggage strapped to the roof, passengers gripping armrests—chugged along highways that don’t quite match the glossy travel brochures. The asphalt gave way to ruts. The ruts gave way to dust. And the dust gave way to a bone-rattling rhythm that lasted half a day.

“You love for it to be smooth,” Nikki says. “But it’s not. And nobody tells you that.”

This is the hidden chapter of the West African travel guide. While Instagram showcases Cape Coast Castle’s haunting beauty and Accra’s rooftop bars, it rarely shows the six-hour haul that connects the capital to Kumasi, a prominent Ghanaian city.

The Insider Secret

Here’s what the couple wants you to know: You have a choice.

For about $100 USD, domestic flights from Accra to Kumasi whisk travelers over the potholes entirely. But most tour groups—especially large ones—default to the road. It’s cheaper. It’s adventurous. And frankly, it’s exhausting.

“We took the bumpy ride so you don’t have to,” Nikki says. “Take. The. Flight.”

Why It Matters

But here’s the twist: the couple doesn’t regret it.

Because somewhere between the jolts and the red dust, they saw Ghana up close. They saw women balancing plantains on their heads along the shoulder. They saw tro-tros overflowing with passengers. They saw life—unfiltered, unpolished, unapologetic.

“Infrastructure isn’t just concrete,” Tommy reflects. “It’s the pace of a country. And Ghana moves at its own speed.”

Ghana is booming. Its economy is one of Africa’s fastest-growing. Its Year of Return initiative drew hundreds of thousands of diaspora visitors. But infrastructure takes time.

For now, the advice from those who’ve survived the shake is simple: Pack patience. Book the flight if you can. And if you take the road, bring snacks, a good playlist, and a sense of humor.

“You’ll get there,” Nikki says. “And when you do, it’s worth every bump.”

A Florida-based residential cruise company is offering Americans a literal way to sail through Donald Trump’s second presidential term: a four-year “Skip Forward” world voyage that visits 425 ports across 140 countries while minimizing time spent in the United States.

Villa Vie Residences launched the package shortly after the 2024 election, allowing passengers aboard the 485-cabin MV Odyssey to hop on and off at any port for flexible long-term travel.

The full four-year option starts at less than $40,000 per year per person (double occupancy), with total costs ranging from $159,999 (double) to $255,999 (single) for the entire duration.

Shorter segments include a one-year “Escape from Reality,” two-year “Mid-Term Selection,” and three-year “Everywhere but Home.”

The itinerary covers all seven continents, with extended focus on the Caribbean, South America, Antarctica, South Pacific, Australia, Asia, Europe, and Africa. U.S. stops are limited to brief calls in Hawaii, California, and Seattle (already completed in mid-2025).

The ship’s shallow draft allows docking in inland waterways and city centers, offering unique access for cultural immersion.

All-inclusive amenities include meals, housekeeping, high-speed internet for remote work, and a community of like-minded travelers—many of them retirees, digital nomads, and adventure seekers.

CEO Mikael Petterson insists the offering is apolitical: “This isn’t about politics; it’s a luxury escape and an affordable alternative to rising land-based costs in many U.S. cities.”

Despite the neutral proposals, the timing and naming (“Skip Forward,” “Mid-Term Selection”) have sparked widespread online debate.

Social media reactions range from humorous memes (“Don Voyage!”) to sharp class critiques (“Only the people who voted for this can afford to leave it”). Some see it as a privileged form of escapism; others praise the concept of perpetual travel in an uncertain world.

As of February 12, 2026, the Odyssey is sailing along the east coast of Australia en route to Townsville, Queensland. The four-year package remains available for those seeking distance—literal and figurative—from U.S. politics.

Whether viewed as clever marketing, bold escapism, or a sign of deeper societal divides, the “Skip Forward” cruise has captured global attention. Would you board? Drop your thoughts in the comments.