Accra is the most populous city in and the capital of Ghana. It is the administrative,
communications, and economic center of the country. Over 70% of Ghana's
manufacturing capacity is located within the capital area. Accra has been Ghana's capital
since 1877, and contains public buildings reflecting its transition from a 19th century
suburb of Victoriasborg to the modern metropolis it is today.
Among the attractions of Accra are the National Museum, with a display of exhibits that
reflect the heritage of Ghana from prehistoric times to modern times, the National Theatre
with its distinct modern architecture, Independence Square, the Kwame Nkrumah
Mausoleum, the Accra International Conference Centre, the fishing port at Jamestown
and Makola Market.
The University of Ghana at Legon is just 14 km north of Accra, and its distinctive buildings
are set amongst tree-lined gardens that are visited by students and visitors alike. Accra is
also linked internationally by the Kotoka International Airport.
Accra was founded by the Ga people in the late 1600s. The word Accra is derived from the
word Nkran meaning "ants" in Akan, a reference to the numerous anthills seen in the
countryside around Accra. During part of its history, Accra served as a centre for trade with
the Portuguese, who built a fort in the town, followed by the Swedish, Dutch, French,
British and Danish by the end of the seventeenth century.
The site of present-day Accra developed into a sizable town around the original Ga town
as well as British, Danish and Dutch forts and their surrounding communities:
Jamestown near the British fort, Osu near the Danish Christianborg fort (now Osu Castle)
and Ussherstown near the Dutch Ussher fort. The four areas form the core of the modern
city.
In 1877, at the end of the second Anglo-Asante War, Accra replaced Cape Coast as the
capital of the British Gold Coast colony. After the completion of a railway to the mining and
agricultural interior, Accra became the economic centre of Ghana. Large areas were
destroyed by earthquakes in 1862 and 1939, but the city grew around a seaport (now
relocated to Tema), and later a brewery, expanding into neighbouring towns.
The Accra Riots in 1948 launched the Ghanaian campaign for independence, which led to
the Ghana's independence from the United Kingdom and nationhood in 1957.
Today, Accra is one of the wealthiest and most modern cities in the African continent, with
a high quality of living by African standards. Accra is also known as having one of the
continent's most active night life scenes and a population of bar girls.
PLACE TO VISIT
The National Museum of Ghana - is in the Ghanaian capital, Accra. It is the
largest and oldest of the six museums under the administration of the Ghana Museums
and Monuments Board. The museum building was opened on 5 March 1957 as part of
Ghana’s independence celebrations. The official opening was performed by Duchess of
Kent, the late Princess Marina. Objects of archaeology, ethnography as well as fine art
find place in the National Museum building.
Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences - is an arts and science institution of
Ghana, based in the capital Accra. It was founded in 1959 by Kwame Nkrumah with the
aim to promote the pursuit, advancement and dissemination of knowledge in all
branches of the sciences and the humanities. It formally opened on the 27th November
1959 by Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, at the Great Hall of the University College of
Ghana, who became its first president along with Nkrumah.
Osu Castle - also known as Fort Christiansborg or simply the Castle, is the seat of
government in Ghana. It is located in Osu, Accra on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean's Gulf
of Guinea. The fort dates back to the 16th century and has changed hands many times.
The first substantial fort was built by the Danish in the 1660s, though rebuilding has
occurred on many occasions since. It began to serve as the seat of government under
British colonial rule and continues to perform that function today
National Theatre - located in Accra, Ghana, was built by a Chinese contractor as
part of an effort to increase patronage of the performing arts in Ghana. It houses the
National Symphony Orchestra Ghana which plays using Western orchestral instruments
as well as traditional Ghanaian instruments.
Ohene Djan Stadium - is a multi-use, 40,000 all-seater stadium in Accra, Ghana,
mostly used for association football matches. Originally known as the Accra Sports
Stadium, the stadium was renamed after Ohene Djan, the country's first Director of
Sports, in 2004. Its renaming was quite controversial and opposed by many in Accra's Ga
community who felt that a prominent Ga should be given the honour since the stadium is
a centrepiece of downtown Accra.
Accra International Conference Centre - is an events venue in Accra,
Ghana. Other venues include the Ghana Trade Fair and the National Theatre, but the
Conference Centre is more popular due to it being significantly larger than the National
Theatre, and at the same time smaller than the Ghana Trade Fair Centre
Ghana-India Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT - is Ghana’s first
Advanced Information Technology Institute (AITI) and hopes to establish itself as a home
for Knowledge Entrepreneurs of West Africa. Established in 2003, through a partnership
between the Government of Ghana and the Government of India, the state-of the-art facility
works to stimulate the growth of the ICT Sector in ECOWAS and provides an enabling
environment for innovation, teaching and learning as well as practical research on the
application of ICT4D in Africa.
Independence Arch of Accra - Ghana, inscribed with the words "Freedom and
Justice, AD 1957", commemorates the independence of Ghana, a first for Sub Saharan
Africa. Close by are the Independence Square, (fomerly known as the Black Star Square)
and the Liberation Day Monument.
Makola Market - is a renowned market place and shopping district in the centre of
the city of Accra, the capital of Ghana. The market, dominated by women traders, sells
fresh produce, manufactured and imported foods, clothes, shoes, tools, medicines, and
pots and pans
Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum - and memorial park is located in downtown
Accra, the capital of Ghana. It is dedicated to the prominent Ghanaian leader Kwame
Nkrumah
Labadi Beach - The best beach in Accra. 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 20,000 cedis. If you are a
guest at La Plam or Labadi Beach Hotel you can access the beach for free through the
back gate. (N.B.: it is reported that non-hotel guests can enjoy the facilities - pool, fitness,
sauna - for 90,000 cedis a day at La Badi Beach--a good deal if it is true.)
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.
HOW TO REACH
Kotoka International Airport is a major hub, with international connections from North
America, Europe, Africa and the Middle East, along with internal connections to Kumasi
and Tamale.
