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From Wikitravel

Accra is the capital city of Ghana.

[edit] Understand

Accra has a population of 1,661,400 (in 2001). The local language is Ga but Twi (pron. 'ch-wee'), Ewe (pron. ayvay) and Hausa arealso widely spoken (as well as English). Accra has rich western looking buildings and dusty shanty towns.

[edit] History

Founded in the 17th century by the Ga people, Accra became the capital of the British Gold Coast in 1877. Following Ghana's independence in 1957, Accra became the capital of the newly independent state.

[edit] Get in

Kotoka International Airport [1] is a major hub, with international connections from North America, Europe, Africa and the Middle East, along with internal connections to Kumasi and Tamale.

From the United States, Delta Airlines operates 4 times weekly flights directly from JFK. From there, it is possible to connect to all major North, South, and Latin American cities, and the Caribbean.

[edit] Get around

[edit] SUV or Car with driver

If you need an SUV or a sedan there are plenty of affordable options because even the best drivers earn only about $15 a day in Accra. You can book directly from Avis and local rental companies at the larger hotels, such as the Golden Tulip, La Palm, or La Badi Beach. Cars are available on short notice but if you want a van or SUV it is best to book ahead. Rates for car and driver are about $9 (Ghana Cedis 11.25) an hour. For a $75 you can book a ten hour day, but fuel is extra. Rates increase if you leave metro Accra, which is fair because poor roads add to the wear and tear on the vehicle. Toyota Land Cruisers are a popular choice and are widely available.

[edit] On foot

Accra is relatively safe to walk around during the day (and night, in many areas). Watch out for open sewers, automobiles, (even in the city) when walking the streets.

[edit] By taxi

To flag a taxi wave your arm with your finger pointed down to the ground. On a busy street you will have many taxis driving past trying to offer you their service by honking at you. There are very few Ghanaian cabs with meters. You must negotiate how much you are willing to pay before you start the trip. As of late 2009, it is generally 3 cedis within the center of town and 5-7 cedis to the airport or Accra Mall from the center. A rough mileage rate would be 1.5 cedis per mile. Try to ask someone local how much a trip to a certain location usually costs. Also make sure to haggle hard as most taxi drivers will often try to charge three times (or more) the going rate to foreigners. Relax, and don't show urgency. If the first taxi won't come down on his price, wait for another as they are plentiful.

Taxis are generally easy to identify. The two front side panels and the two real side panels are normally painted yellow with a different colour for the rest of the vehicle.

That said, the most important way of recognizing taxis are by the number plates - they, like many commercial vehicles, always have a yellow background, with black lettering, as compared to the private vehicles that have white background, with black lettering.

Metered Taxi There are some taxis with meters in them. These are generally more expensive, but you can be a little more sure about how much they will cost.

Shared Taxi These follow fixed routes, similar to taxis' and have fixed rates per passenger. These can be a very useful way to get about the centre of Accra. The rate is not dependent upon numbers of passengers, so you may be lucky enough to travel in a taxi alone for a fifth the rate you'd have paid to flag it down.

Tro Tro TroTros are usually very crowded and dilapidated minivans ad minibuses that act as the city's public transit system. TroTros travel along a well known routes in the city, and stop at various points along the way (some stops have signs, others don't). As a TroTro approaches a stop, a "mate" (the driver's assistant) will usually yell out the side of the window where the TroTro is going. Many people die in trotro accidents every year, howver typically those that die in tro tro accidents die on highways in rural areas. Accidents causing death in Accra are relatively rare, in part due to traffic congestion. Read more about trotros here: Trotro Dynamics

[edit][add listing] See

• National Museum. Highly worthwhile, the National Museum offers visitors a look at Ghanaian history and culture from prehistory to the present. Cultural exhibits include clothing, thrones, carvings, paintings, pottery, and a variety of instruments and tools used in various rituals. Each of these is accompanied by descriptions of their significance and meaning, so you can learn a lot if you take the time read them! Historical exhibits feature some of the most influential and important parts of Ghana's history, particularly the slave trade. There is also a fascinating exhibit of the history of the Ghanaian currency.  edit

• Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park. The park was created to honor Kwame Nkrumah, who led Ghana to its independence from Great Britain to become the nation's first president. Voted as Africa's "Man of the Millenium", he is a highly important figure of the 20th century. In the park you can see a monument dedicated to him, as well as his mausoleum, where he is buried.  edit

• Independence Square. aAlso known as Black Star Square for the large black star located atop Independence Arch. The square celebrates Ghanain independence from the British in 1957 and features an eternal flame first lit by Nkrumah himself in 1961.  edit

• W.E.B. DuBois Memorial Centre, [2]. W.E.B. DuBois was a famous American author and Civil Rights activist who moved to Ghana near the end of his life feeling his efforts to create equality were all in vain and that America would never accept black people. Although the Centre itself is a research library, historical sites and monuments are scattered about amidst the learning centers. The most interesting of them being House Number 22, which is where W.E.B. DuBois resided when he moved to Ghana, and his grave.  edit

• The National Archives of Ghana.  edit

• The Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences
• Ghana's Central Library
• Christianborg Castle, built in the 17th century by the Danes

• Labadi Beach - One of the most popular beaches in Accra for tourists. Located between two of Accra's most expensive hotels-- La Palm and La Badi Beach--this short stretch of the Atlantic Coast features several makeshift cafe-restaurants, lots of souvenir vendors, and if you are lucky (i.e. on good weather weekends) an amazing cast of characters who will entertain you with drumming, dancing, pony rides, and acrobatic performances. Some people actually go for a swim, but there's plenty to do on-shore. Don't miss it. (Warning: this is a prime-time venue, one highly "not recommended" after dark.) The beach is 'offically' accessible only from an entrance at La By-pass (Labadi Road) for a fee of 5 Gh¢. If you are a guest at La Palm or Labadi Beach Hotel you can access the beach for free through the back gate. Non-hotel guests can enjoy the facilities - pool, fitness, sauna - for 10 Gh¢ a day at La Palm Royal Beach Hotel.

• Jamestown - Accra's oldest neighborhood still an active fishing harbor, Jamestown is the oldest part of Accra, and is similar in many ways to Zanzibar's 'Stonetown' though it has not yet been restored, and so it is not typically highlighted on tourist itineraries. That's a shame because it is one of the most memorable sights in the city. Jamestown is a short distance west from Independence Square; from the busy street the only real sights are the lighthouse, a prison building housed inside an old colonial fort, and the old Customs House. From the lighthouse there is a road which takes you to the otherwise hidden delight: one of the largest working fishing harbors in Ghana. Go early in the morning and see dozens of small boats bring in the day's catch. It's best to find a friendly local guide so you don't miss the hidden alleys, old stone houses, and fantastic cliff-top harbor vistas.

• University of Ghana - Ghana's largest university is located in Legon and is accessible by Tro-Tros to Madina. It's a very charming and quiet place with old trees, a botanical garden (although you should be aware there have been reports of muggings and violent crime taking place in the gardens) and many small buildings surrounded by green grass. The Cafeterias are open to anybody and serve typical Ghanaian dishes.

[edit] Tours

Accra's best attractions are scattered across a relatively wide area, so if you can afford the modest prices the best thing to do is hire a car and driver (see above) to take you around. Travel companies offer drivers who double as well-informed guides, which helps as interpretive exhibits and brochures (if you can find them) leave much to be desired. Contact the Accra Visitor Centre for information on entertainment, attractions, eating out and more on +233 244 697046

• Enoch Aryee, +233.243.677412, (email: enochson2000@yahoo.com)is a life-long Jamestown resident, and will give you an 'insiders tour' from a local perspective.

• Westlink Travels, +233.21.513698 (fax +233.21.513697; email info@westlinktravels.com) [3]. A very reliable Accra-based tour operator with its own SUV's and minivans is based in East Legon, not far from the airport. They also offer tours outside of greater Accra.

[edit][add listing] Do

The La Raceway: a Go-karting circuit, Sports bar and Entertainment Centre is situated behind the Trade Fair Centre, near Labadi beach

Harbin's: a bowling alley in Teshie, about 5 miles from the city centre.

Swimming Pools: Sport swimmers find a pool in East Legon at A&C Mall for 7 Gh¢ a day. Those who want to spend a relaxing day at a hotel pool can use the one of La Palm Royal Beach Hotel for 10 Gh¢ a day.

[edit][add listing] Buy

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Makola market, in Accra's busy downtown, includes a large boulevard and several alleys full of fabric shops with goods such as wax-print pagnes, as well as embroidered and beaded cotton and tulle for special occasions. Look for wax prints from Ghana Traditional Prints (GTP) and the Akosombo Textile Company, which issue a wide range of new designs annually. Another source for such fabric is Woodin, an upscale fabric store with outlets in Osu and at the A&C shopping mall in East Legon, selling a variety of shiny patterned cottons, batiks, and ready-made clothes.

Kaneshie Market is both a transit center and a great place to shop, offering a very wide variety of mostly traditional goods and items. It is a source for food and household items; beads, hair salons, shoes, handbags, and beauty products, and fabric shops.

For curio shopping, the National Cultural Center, known popularly as the "Arts Center" near the Independence Square is an overwhelming but well-stocked option. Smaller curio markets can be found around the city. Wild Gecko (near the Tetteh-Quarshie Interchange, off the Kwame Nkrumah Motorway Extension sells a variety of crafts, upscale curios, furniture, and batik clothing. Be sure to check out the extensive collection of Christmas ornaments, including Adinkra symbols carved into dainty souvenirs. Down the dirt road from Wild Gecko are further several smaller but well-stocked pottery and craft stores.

For a more modern shopping experience, options include:

• The Accra Mall, off the Liberation Road
• The A&C Shopping Mall, East Legon
• Palace Shopping Mall, situated on the Spintex Road
• Shaaba Shopping Mall, off the Motorway Extension

[edit][add listing] Eat

Eat out at one of Osu's many trendy restaurants. Osu, a suburb of Accra, is known for its nightlife and a wide variety of eateries, hotels, and several options for entertainment.

A concept lifestyle eaterie, Café Dez Amis is situated close to Osu, next door to Jubilee House and the French embassy. Offering gourmet coffees, sandwiches and salads, as well as cold fresh juices, and ice cream, it has become a hotspot in town, from 7am till 10pm. Breakfast and fresh baked breads and pastries are available all day. There is also an outside cocktail bar, serving Mojitos and other cocktails from all over the world.It also has wireless access.

Located in Labone near the Metro TV building, "Maquis Tante Marie" is a restaurant serving a variety of African cuisines in a pleasant garden setting.

Frankie's on Oxford Street in Osu is a popular oasis for tourists in Accra. Offering accomodation, a restaurant, salad bar, ice cream and a bakery/pastry shop.

Other popular eateries in Osu include Livingstone Safari Restaurant, Haveli (Indian Cuisine), Papaye(Fast Food), Asanka Locals(Traditional Ghanaian Cuisine) and Noble House Restaurant (Indian and Chinese Cuisine)

Artists Alliance Gallery, La Beach Road (1km west of La Beach Hotel). Artist-run gallery over 3 floors with sculptures, fabrics and paintings. Covers everything from cheap wooden artifacts for a few dollars to expensive paintings by top artists in Ghana. Big plus is being able to look, browse in a relaxed gallery without being hassled to buy. $10-$10k.  edit

[edit][add listing] Drink

• Aphrodisiac Nite Club [4] - late night clubbing

• Bywell's (Osu) - open air bar with live music (jazz and hiplife) on Thursdays

• Champs Sports Bar - behind Paloma Hotel on Ring Road. Best day is every Friday when there is karaoke. Sing your heart out.

• Lizzy's (Osu) - AKA "the Container" - on Oxford Street, close to Shell fuel station and opposite the Papaye restaurant - great music and street performers from 8PM (actually the acrobats are best seen from the balcony of the Papaye!)

• Monsoon (Osu) - Trendy lounge/bar. Food: Excellent european style cuisine and great sushi. Perhaps one of the best in Accra.

• Ryan's Pub (Osu) - Irish pub

• The Havana - in Jamestown - a real local pub

• Duncans - Osu, up the street from Frankies - a wonderful spot with tables on the street. Duncan and his wife Barbara are lovely people.

• 7 Star Open 7 days a week, everyday one different theme. Monday: Groove, Tuesday: Lovers nite, Wednesday: Ladies Night, Thursday: Francophone night, Friday: For hot and good music lovers, Saturday: Dance party, Sunday: you the guest, Address: Behind SSNIT hospital OSU, Directions: After Dynasty restaurant, turn right, right again, first on the left and drive 500 m. On the right.

• Boomerang Situated in the Caprice building in Kpehe not far from Kwame Nkrumah Circle. Packs a good crowd on Friday and Saturday with with a good mix of Accra's youth. Music style is a mix of R&B & Hiplife for Fri & Sat and Fracophone mix on Thursday. It always explodes with people on weekends and it is a very popular spot with the inhabitants of Accra, Directions: Situated in the Caprice building in Kpehe not far from Kwame Nkrumah Circle.

• Macumba Decent Club in Accra, situated near Danquah Circle, Osu.

• Wai-ki-ki (Piccadilly) Night Club, off the Ring Road Central.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

• Golden Tulip Hotel - For many years 'The Tulip' has been the gold-standard for high-quality accommodation in Accra. Extremely well-located on Independence Avenue just five minutes from the Airport, the Tulip has an unexpected amount of character and charm for a business hotel. It manges to feel somewhat African, but with a buttoned-down Dutch cleanliness that is welcome, especially to travelers in Africa for the first time. The downstairs lobby bar and pool-side dining, live music, and gallery of local artists are excellent. The hotel's business center provides the most reliable WiFi you'll find anywhere in town (with Skype-capable bandwidth, no less.) But the food is mostly just OK; unimaginative, but thankfully anti-septically prepared. The rooms are small, a bit smelly, and very much in need of new carpets. The Chalets are the place to be if you decide to stay in this hotel, but they are generally held for those booking two-weeks or more at a time. If you like to play tennis, the courts here will suit you just fine, provided you've bought your whites.

• La Badi Beach Hotel - This hotel has good atmosphere, especially if you yearn for a Graham Greene-inspired fantasy British Colonial-era experience. The lobby is all dark wood, leather sofa, campaign furniture and ceiling fans. Queen Elizabeth slept here; and Prime Minister Tony Blair. More recent guests include quite a few airline flight crews, and far-too many US Government/Military contractors who spend long hours at the bar each night boring other guests with their "thoughts" about Africa which are--predictably-- a bit naive, if not downright creepy. The pool and gardens are nice, the Western-style buffet is excellent, and the rooms are small but well-appointed, most with balconies. Best feature: it is on the beach at La Badi, so there is always something happening just footsteps away. Downside: it is a long drive from the center of town or the airport, and traffic in Accra gets more congested each month. Unless you are in Ghana for a vacation, this isn't the best location.

• La Palm Hotel - Right next door to La Badi Beach Hotel. A perfect contrast to La Badi's "Graham Greene-inspired fantasy British Colonial-era experience" this hotel reflects the post-modern pan-African style of the wife of Ghana's decade-plus military ruler, Air Force Lt. Jerry Rawlings, who gets credit for the hotel's best feature: it's authentic, Ghananian-inspired design theme. Somewhat sterile, and the hotel survives because-- despite all its failings-- it has panche, along with a great location on the beach. Yet with five restaurants, it somehow manages to produce good food only in the hotel's flagship outdoor 'African Village' which is indeed a charming breezy and architecturally distinctive venue worth a visit even if you are not staying as a guest of the hotel. Sunday brunch is particularly good, but dinner or drinks any night work equally well. Avoid the main dining room, room service, or Bali Hai, Equator, or other 'international' offerings. The pool is nice and there is WiFi. You'll appreciate the attentive staff, who make up for the indifferent management, awful food, and generally run-down facilities.

• African Regent Hotel - The decor is great; hard to describe, but when you see it you'll immediately have a sense of what non-kitschy authentic African style should look like. And the hotel's dining room offers impeccable food for breakfast lunch or dinner. The sleeping rooms are clean, airy, and well-furnished, complete with in-room broadband, and flat-screen cable TV. There is a nice pool, and a first-rate health club.

• Highgate Hotel - This newly-renovated boutique hotel offers old-world charm, friendly service, fine food and wine, and 33 spacious rooms equipped with luxury amenities like private mini-bars, high-speed internet, and wall-mounted plasma digital sat-TV. The upscale hotel is on a quiet cul de sac in a mostly residential neighborhood just two blocks from Ring Road at 70 Mango Tree Avenue, Asylum Down. (It’s a newly opened hotel; if your cab driver doesn’t know where it is tell them it is across the street from the i-Burst building a block down from FedEx.) My room was a Standard ($80) decorated with a clean, natural look with cool tile floors and baths and high-powered quiet air-conditioning unit. I really liked the restaurant and bar, with it's hand-made tropical hardwood furniture. Over five days I sampled fresh seafood, grilled chicken, pasta and great club sandwiches. The cocktail menu is a real treat, with new takes on the tropical drinks, including my favorite, a Pineapple-Ginger Stinger, made with fresh ingedient’s mixed by a master bartender before your eyes!

• Paloma Hotel, [5]. Good One, In Osu Area, Every thing is there, Good Staff, restaurant etc, On Main road.  edit

• Airport View Hotel [6], proximity to the airport, web access, air con, European menu.

• Dot's Inn Labone, close to Osu (tourist center) and beach. Small hotel, with very friendly staff.

• Christianborg Hotel : Dabedu Road, Phone: +233 21 77 60 74, Directions: Dabedu road, OSU (opposite Chez Lien restaurant) turn left after Koala's in Cantonments road, then the first on the left, 400m on the righ, a big white house.

• Travellalodge [7], C61\ 21 Ablenkpe Close, P.O. Box 4716, Ablenkpe , Accra, Ghana. Tel: 233 021 762944, 233 028 9100846, 233 020 7536088.

• Kokomlemle In the area Kokomlemle in the north of Accra you can stay in the nice Kokomlemle Guesthouse. Oroko Street, Kokomlemle, Directions: Right north from Ring Road Central, close to Nkrumah Circle.

• The Postlodge-in Newtown If on a very tight budget. Phone: +233-21-229456/231908, directions: New town accra.

• Atomic Lodge Hotel, P.Box DS 1168 Dansoman- Acca. (It can be located @ agege last stop).  edit

• Fadiwaa Travel and Tours, (Opp. Gold house Dansoman community market 1st floor.). Tour operators, Has hotel reservations,car rentals and airline ticketing.  edit

• Alisa Hotel, Ridge, [8]. A decent hotel at the quiet section of town. Alisa hotel caters mainly for business travelers who usually have things to do at the Ridge (West and North), which is where some of the biggest corporate names have their head offices.  edit

• Rosalind Compound, Kokomlemle, ☎ +233-244-418999 (rosaquart@hotmail.com). For those who stay longer in Accra (e.g. volunteers). A lovely compound with a small garden and rooms of different sizes, some of them self-contained. Fully equipped kitchen and living rooms. 80-190€/month.  edit

• Aplaku guesthouse, Aplaku/Kokrobite (8 km before Kokrobite at Aplaku-Israel junction), ☎ 00233273950890, [9]. Aplaku guesthouse is located in Accra,Ghana. See www.ghana-guesthouse.com Students, voluntaries, politicians, business people and tourists, with respect for Ghana, the nature and the culture, are very welcome. Aplaku guesthouse has a nice view over the Atlantic Ocean. Beaches are on a walking distance. For guests who want some acclimatization before they are going to travel through Ghana. Also very convenient for longer stay. For groups and individuals. Water and electricity are always available. Airport or other transport is available with reliable drivers and cars in a good condition. Guests are offered all the necessary help and relevant information. 30/40 euro.  edit

• Frankies, Oxford Street, Osu, ☎ +233 - 21 - 77 35 67, [10]. Reasonably priced with a kickass location, staff are friendly. Rooms are clean, gushing hot water 24/7. Restaurant, bar, etc.  edit
• Elmeiz Place Guest House, No.12 Awula Meeya Street, Dansoman, Accra, Ghana, ☎ +233-(0)21-305005, [11]. Elmeiz Place Guest House is more than a bed & breakfast, it is a charming guest house located in Accra, Ghana. Operating almost entirely on solar power, Elmeiz Place is situated in the comfortable neighborhood of Dansoman in Accra, only a 20 minute drive from Kotoka International Airport. Elmeiz's Place is ideal for business travelers, honeymooners or regular tourists looking for cosy and modern accommodation in Accra Ghana. $45 + USD. (0° 12' W,5° 33' N) edit

[edit] Cope

[edit] Embassies and High Commissions

• High Commission of Canada, 42 Independence Avenue Accra, Ghana Sankara Interchange, ☎ 233-21-21-15-21 (accra@dfait-maeci.gc.ca, fax: 233-21-21-15-23 / 77-37-92), [12]. Monday to Thursday: 07:30 – 16:00 Friday: 07:30 – 13:00.  edit
• High Commission of the United Kingdom, [13].  edit
• Embassy of the United States, [14].  edit
• Embassy of Germany, No. 6 Ridge Street, North Ridge, Accra, ☎ +233-21-221311, [15].  edit

[edit] Get out

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