The Real Africa They Don't Show You - Vinay Mavani

Africa is a huge continent that has attracted throughout the years a lot of attention through curiosity and beauty to its variety of wildlife. However apart from this the continent has also received its share of criticism and has been usually portrayed in the media as a continent full of disease and war, with apparently only wild animals. Which was also my perception as I had not seen anything else, but the image the media portrayed of it - Vinay Mavani.

However my views of Africa changed about 11 years ago now, when my parents decided to take me to the country of my ancestors & roots Ghana. Before my trip were the fears that I always had of Africa; poor children walking around, people begging at every street corner, rebels fighting in the streets and an immediate war coming for no reason. Once I arrived I was surprised to see the same environment as in London. People going shopping in malls, people driving some of the nicest cars around and no views of poor children starving around at every street corner. Was that the Africa they were always taking about in the news?

Since that day my thoughts change concerning Ghana. Africa itself is a continent not a country, therefore when referring to the problem in Africa its important to differentiate between countries. Ghana in itself is one of the Country with the friendliest people, culture & history from the Ashanti Kingdom to the Transatlancic slave trade and its slave castle such as Elmina & cape coast you will discover another side of Africa, some of its sad history. Whilst when going to the various shopping mall & shopping high streets, you will discover another side of the beautiful country its evolution into a business country capable of getting foreign investors to invest in their projects & build the country.

You will also see the beautiful nature portrayed in the media, but the important thing is to understand that Africa and its many countries is not only about lions & nature. Therefore to see the "real Africa" a visit is needed to see the side never shown & fall in love with this beautiful continent, that is just waiting to be discovered and people awaiting for visitors to embrace their various cultures.

It has to be said that some African countries are struggling but its is unfair to judge a whole continent due to a few struggling countries, and understand that some countries does not represent a whole continent. Therefore visit some of the countries in Africa and see for yourself. You will not be disappointed and will have wonderful memories of your trip like Vinay Mavani.