Accra is understood for giving its company a cultural expertise of a lifetime. With an in depth restaurant scene, exhilarating nightlife and historical past that lingers by the town streets, operating out of issues to do in Accra merely isn’t doable.
Whereas the sweetness in Accra lies within the on a regular basis interactions with folks and blissful community-oriented spirit, there are sides to this metropolis which are hardly ever talked about but add to its allure.
Listed here are our favourite methods to discover Accra.
Get misplaced in a conventional Ghanaian market
The fixed honking, scent of contemporary fish being distributed, and crowding of colourful market stalls down a number of blocks will mark your arrival on the well-known Makola Market.
An open-air market with any and all the things you might probably want, Makola is a business gold mine. Whether or not you want material, family cleansing provides, or groceries, Makola Market has all of it. The sweltering warmth hits your face whereas attempting to make purchases and dodging vans as they purpose to move by the slender roads crammed with retailers – it is all a part of a chaotic but thrilling expertise.
Visiting Makola Market just isn’t for the faint-hearted; you’re certain to get misplaced, however permit your self to discover each nook. In any case, you by no means know what you’ll discover!
Planning Tip: Leaving the market could be extraordinarily tough as tro-tros (mid-sized minivans) are likely to again visitors up and down the roads, making it tough for Ubers to search out you. The best means out is to hop in a taxi already headed in direction of the market’s exit.
See a French present at Alliance Française
The main heart of French language and cultural trade in Accra, Alliance Française Accra can be identified for internet hosting movie screenings, performing arts reveals and concert events. The plot of the performances varies, however the lineup often shows a seamless steadiness between showcasing English, French and Ghanaian tradition. You’ll be able to plan on having dinner and a present with a cease at Mama Delicacies, the on-site restaurant.
Planning Tip: Keep up to date on what reveals are occurring by way of their Facebook or Instagram. Whereas some reveals are free, others require you to buy tickets on-line forward of time.
Soak in views from the tallest constructing in Ghana
On the subject of ambiance, you’ll shortly be taught that Accra doesn’t disappoint, and it’s obvious with Skybar 25, an upscale rooftop bar. The bar has high-class decorations and gorgeous views of the town from what is alleged to be the tallest constructing in West Africa. Have an opulent dinner with a specifically crafted cocktail whereas having fun with the tunes of the Kentos Music Band. This Ghanaian brass band ceaselessly performs reside music at Skybar 25.
Planning Tip: The bar is in one of the well-liked buildings within the metropolis, and tables replenish shortly. Set a reservation 24-48 hours earlier than to keep away from delays or being turned away.
Study the historical past of considered one of Africa’s best leaders
Collectively, the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park and Mausoleum make considered one of Accra’s best landmarks. The park was commissioned in 1992 to commemorate the lifetime of Ghana’s first president, Kwame Nkrumah. Nkrumah was instrumental in main Ghana to independence in 1957 and setting the tone for African unity on the continent together with his ideologies.
The walk-through park contains sculptures, monuments, reveals, and gardens to honor Nkrumah. In the present day, the positioning hosts his closing resting place and is a superb place to be taught the historical past of Kwame Nkrumah and early Ghana.
Assist native companies on the Labone Inexperienced Market
Each Saturday, the Labone Espresso Store hosts the Labone Inexperienced Market. Native enterprise house owners arrange mini pop-up outlets for the general public. As this mini farmers market’s identify suggests, the outlets promote contemporary, organically grown vegetables and fruit and gluten-free merchandise. It doesn’t cease there; distributors additionally showcase batik, pure skincare choices, baked items, flowers and different wares obtainable for buy.
Planning Tip: Distributors on the market solely settle for money. It’s finest to deliver a wide range of payments so you’re ready to make purchases.
Recount the legacy of W.E.B. Dubois
As soon as a outstanding civil rights activist and passionate Pan-Africanist, W.E.B. Dubois’s contributions towards the development of Black folks have been notable. Towards the tip of his life, Dubois selected to do some work in Ghana and died within the nation in 1963. The W.E.B. Dubois Center for PanAfrican Culture is positioned within the heart of Accra. It’s his former house remodeled right into a museum, the place every room takes you thru the accomplishments and obstacles Dubois confronted throughout his life.
Doc your time in Accra with a photoshoot
A metropolis with younger entrepreneurs, a inventive spirit operating rampant and vivid surroundings virtually in all places you look, Accra is a spot the place you’ll need to doc your expertise to look again on eternally. Photoshoots in Accra aren’t simply in regards to the photos however the expertise of working with creatives within the metropolis like AOD Photos, who’re past gifted and know easy methods to deliver inventive visions to life. The creativity of the town is certain to indicate by your captured pictures.
Work with a seamstress or tailor to deliver your designs to life
Searching for elaborate material schemes to have {custom} clothes sewn by seamstresses and tailors is a lifestyle in Ghana. In any case, it is how all of the fascinating fashions you see whereas exploring Accra are almost certainly created. You should purchase a variety of lovely prints at outlets like Eunnan Materials and Shalom Materials, or head to an area market and see what you will discover!
Global Mamas is a stitching group in Ghana positioned in Ashaiman, about an hour away from the primary metropolis heart. We extremely suggest asking round for an area stitching enterprise near the place you might be staying or looking for small outlets that may be discovered close to roadsides, the place you’ll see sewers working and might ask for his or her cellphone quantity and charges.
Planning Tip: It will likely be useful to run the designs for the clothes you need to make by a sewer earlier than buying materials so that you simply don’t below or over-buy material (offered by the yard in Accra). It’s additionally finest to do that exercise in direction of the start of your journey in the event you aren’t staying lengthy, as it will possibly take time in your seamstress to custom-make your clothes.
Bar hop by all of Accra’s hottest nightlife venues
Accra’s nightlife status is beginning to be acknowledged globally as among the finest in Africa, and it’s not with out cause. Events start round 1am and might go on till it’s time to clock into work! Venues are likely to have themed nights like Kruna Nightclub’s “Signature Saturdays,” identified to be extra hype than the opposite days. It’s frequent to hop from venue to venue in Accra, ending up at as many as 5 areas, so put on snug sneakers!
Channel your inside potter with a pottery session
At Happy Art Academy, you might be given a clump of clay and anticipated to make magic –with guided instruction from the professionals, in fact! The Academy runs pottery courses for all ages and assists guests in making pots, bowls, jars, vases and the rest you need whereas crafting your clay.
Planning Tip: The Academy typically runs promos for giant teams (10 or extra folks), so be sure you ask about any operating reductions in the event you’re touring to Accra with a gaggle.
Go to the Independence Sq.
A tour of Independence Sq. is one of many first sights you need to place in your Accra itinerary. The tour will give you a much-needed background on the history of Ghana’s independence.
Solely gaining independence 65 years in the past, in 1957, Ghana’s journey to freedom is considered one of pure inspiration. Just some ft away from Independence Sq. are the Black Star Sq., Liberation Day Monument and Independence Arch – all constructions which have performed their function within the historical past we glance again on immediately.
Planning Tip: To understand the significance of Independence Sq., we extremely suggest that you simply e-book a tour with respected and educated tour corporations in Accra, like Mooove Africa and Travel Time Africa, who can finest clarify Ghana’s historical past.
