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The Early History of Accra
The city continued to prosper after the Danes and Dutch left in the mid- to late 19th century. Accra became the capital of the British Gold Coast colony in 1877. After a council to improve the growing town formed in 1898, the city of Accra was laid out, systematically, by the 1930s.
Another dish you can try, which our driver Ben enjoyed, was fufu, which is another starchy, doughy food made from pounded cassava root. It’s served in a delicious stew along with meat and spices!
The vendors there were quite friendly—many of them kept jokingly referred to me as “the blonde guy” or “the white guy.” They let me check out their products, which ranged from a dried grass used as an exfoliant to bags of sea salt to beautiful unisex fabrics with intricate designs on them.
Buka Restaurant Osu Accra
Anyone who has followed my adventures for a while will probably know that I am a collector of masks from around the world. The ones at the Craft Center are made from ebony wood and are absolutely gorgeous. They have been painted, smoothed out, and adorned with decorative beads and bits of metal, and come in all shapes and sizes.
My Time in Accra
Trust me, no list of the best things to do in Accra, Ghana is complete without visiting Northern Platter Restaurant!
My favorite thing I did in Aburi was check out its craft market. There, you’ll find vendors and artisans selling incredible handmade products. They include wooden items like stools, masks, chairs, and figurines of people and animals.
The guest bedroom offered a comfortable queen-sized bed, while the superb master bedroom had a king-sized bed, storage trunk, vanity, and a fantastic bathroom.
After the glass powder and dyes have melted together, the beads are shaped and holes are made. Finally, the beads are washed and are finally ready to be used in jewelry. Each bead is unique and brightly colored, almost miniature mosaics.
Once you’ve seen the bead-making process, you can visit the workshop where they actually make the jewelry. You can purchase necklaces and bracelets for just 9 cedi each. If you prefer, you can also buy the beads themselves so you can make your own jewelry with them!
Built in 1924 and considered a symbol of urban life in Accra, this expansive market in the city center sells everything from produce to clothing to jewelry to fresh meat.
Try Banku
Nearly every country I’ve visited around the world has a type of homemade beer or alcohol. Whether it’s the moonshine-like pitorro that people make in their homes in Puerto Rico or the village beer made deep in the jungles of Suriname, they’re always fun to try. In Ghana, one of those alcoholic drinks is pito.
You might not think Ghana produces wine, but you’d be wrong. And in true Ghanaian fashion, their wines are quite unique. To try them, head over to Sai Wine & Champagne Café.
Beads are commonplace in Ghana, from mainstays in the local jewelry to decorations adorning masks. About an hour outside of Accra, you can see how beads are made at T.K. Bead Industry.
Explore Jamestown and Usshertown
18th Ln
The Neighborhoods
One of the most fascinating things I learned during my visit was the story of the Estabon people. They were slaves, living back in the 1840s, who became fed up with their captors. Surprisingly, they were allowed to return to their homeland. After they returned home, they were asked by their fellows, “Esta bon?”, which translates to “Are you good” or “Are you okay?”
I can tell you from experience that the kebabs are fantastic, particularly the beef-and-onion ones. It’s hard to beat that flavor combination, and the fact that they’re made fresh is a plus!
Sai Wine & Champagne Café
Accra, Ghana
The flavors range from savory to spicy to earthy, and the mix of textures had my palate going nuts with each bite. Best of all, the goat bones contained a nice amount of savory, mouthwatering marrow.
The Attractions
Red red is a type of rustic stew made from black-eyed peas, peppers, a mix of spices, and the reddish palm oil that give the dish its name. The gari is a textured cassava flour that you sprinkle over everything and adds a nice crunch.
While there’s more than enough for curious travelers to explore in Accra, I highly recommend taking a day to get out of the city. A popular weekend destination for locals is Aburi, a beautiful mountain village roughly 45 minutes north of the capital. Taking a day trip there is easily among the top things you have to do when you visit Accra, Ghana.
Two of the most prominent landmarks in Accra are the Jamestown Lighthouse, Fort James, and Ussher Fort. All three can be found in the Jamestown/Usshertown area. The lighthouse, a 92-foot-tall white-and-red beacon, dates back to the 1870s, though the current lighthouse was rebuilt in 1930.
Enjoy Ghanaian Street Food for Breakfast
Accra, Ghana
Kenkey with Fried Fish and Shito
Two of the three villages that sprang up around European forts in the 17th century and eventually merged to become Accra, are Jamestown and Usshertown. Formerly known as Dutch Accra, Usshertown, along with Jamestown, are still very much fishing communities home to the Ga people. Visiting them is a raw and real look into community life in the city, and one of my top things to do in Accra, Ghana.
Otele Avenue
Accra, Ghana
While I was successful in reassuring some locals that I just wanted to document and observe them and their culture, other locals weren’t as receptive. Just remember this if you travel to Ghana with a camera, and always respect their requests. The locals have very good reasons for being leery and it may take some extra effort to earn their trust.
Waakye is a delicious mix of rice and black-eyed beans. At Buka Restaurant, it’s served goat meat in a tomato-based stew with shito, chilies, and an egg. You’ll also get cabbage and gari (cassava flour) on the side.
Millet Porridge with Bofrot
OLMA Colonial Suites
If you find yourself in the Osu neighborhood after dark, I strongly advise heading out to explore the legendary Osu Night Market. The location is actually open 24 hours a day, but you’ll only find street food vendors after nightfall. It’s some of the best street food in town and is among my favorite things to do in Accra, Ghana.
The city of Accra is an incredible mix of history, culture, and gastronomy. Whether you’re visiting to learn more about West African culture or to experience its magnificent cuisine, you’ll find a lot to do there. Experiencing the top things to see and do in Accra, Ghana can be tough, but it is also beautiful. Every location I visit helps further my understanding of the world and brings me new perspectives. Accra did that and so much more for me, and I hope you get to experience it, too. Book a trip to Accra today to see it all for yourself!
Explore Makola Market
The craftsmanship on display throughout the market is stunning. I came across artisans whittling a palm tree into a wall carving, wooden giraffes as tall as I was, and even masks adorned with aluminum accents.
TK Beads
In the neighborhood, you’ll find a number of gorgeous, vibrant murals under an overpass just a couple of minutes from Oxford Street. The murals depict colorful skirts, Ghanaian women, and space.
Accra, Ghana
Partly located on a cliff along the Gulf of Guinea in West Africa is the city of Accra, Ghana. One of the largest and most influential cities in West Africa, Accra stands on the shoulders of the legendary cities and kingdoms in the region that thrived before it, from the mighty Ashanti and Mali Empires to the city of Timbuktu. The large, youth-skewing city has a complicated history and a beautiful culture, both of which greatly influence the things you must do in Accra, Ghana.
Check out my VIDEO: Traditional Ghana Street Food!! Kenkey & Fish + Jamestown Attractions | Accra, Ghana
Dine at Asanka Local Ghana International Chop Bar
Amrahia Dodowa Road, R40
Just hours after arriving in Accra, my guide Isaac took me to a street food vendor just two minutes from my accommodations in the trendy Osu neighborhood. There, I had my very first taste of banku. It came with crispy, grilled tilapia, fresh vegetables including tomatoes and onion, and a peppery tomato-based sauce called shito. You break off bits of fish (careful of the bones), grab a bit of banku, a dollop of shito and veggies, and eat with your hands!
Their Tatale kebab, which contains pumpkin, tofu, cauliflower, carrots, eggplant, and squash was light and simple but bursting with flavor. But my favorite dish was the egusi, a dish that’s particularly popular in Nigeria. It’s creamy dish containing spinach, red palm oil, and melon seeds.
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After just one bite, it’s easy to see why waakye is so popular throughout Ghana. It reminded me a bit of arroz con frijoles, but with distinct West African flavors. The fatty goat meat and stew complement the waakye perfectly. I loved the freshness of the cabbage and the crunchy gari!
Adzoatse St
As I mentioned earlier, the Osu neighborhood is the trendiest area in Accra. You’ll find lots of shops, hotels, restaurants, and nightlife there, but it’s a lot more than just an entertainment district.
Fort Crèvecœur, built by the Dutch in 1649, was the first of the three to spring up. It was followed by the Danish Fort Christiansbourg in 1661. Now known as Ussher Fort, and Fort James, built by the English, in 1673. During that same period, Ayawaso fell during a tribal war.
Fort Crèvecœur, built by the Dutch in 1649, was the first of the three to spring up. It was followed by the Danish Fort Christiansbourg in 1661. Now known as Ussher Fort, and Fort James, built by the English, in 1673. During that same period, Ayawaso fell during a tribal war.
Fort Crèvecœur, built by the Dutch in 1649, was the first of the three to spring up. It was followed by the Danish Fort Christiansbourg in 1661. Now known as Ussher Fort, and Fort James, built by the English, in 1673. During that same period, Ayawaso fell during a tribal war.
Fort Crèvecœur, built by the Dutch in 1649, was the first of the three to spring up. It was followed by the Danish Fort Christiansbourg in 1661. Now known as Ussher Fort, and Fort James, built by the English, in 1673. During that same period, Ayawaso fell during a tribal war.
Fort Crèvecœur, built by the Dutch in 1649, was the first of the three to spring up. It was followed by the Danish Fort Christiansbourg in 1661. Now known as Ussher Fort, and Fort James, built by the English, in 1673. During that same period, Ayawaso fell during a tribal war.
Fort Crèvecœur, built by the Dutch in 1649, was the first of the three to spring up. It was followed by the Danish Fort Christiansbourg in 1661. Now known as Ussher Fort, and Fort James, built by the English, in 1673. During that same period, Ayawaso fell during a tribal war.
Fort Crèvecœur, built by the Dutch in 1649, was the first of the three to spring up. It was followed by the Danish Fort Christiansbourg in 1661. Now known as Ussher Fort, and Fort James, built by the English, in 1673. During that same period, Ayawaso fell during a tribal war.
The market dates back over 420 years and is popular among locals even after midnight! After trying the dishes offered there, I can see why. The fatty and crunchy fried pork is full of incredible flavor and has a decent spice level to it. If you’re not into fried pork, they also have smoked, grilled, and fried fish, as well as spicy grilled organs!
Conclusion
Captain’s Catfish Point and Grill
Others depict spirits that protect their community after nightfall. The murals alone make exploring Osu one of the top things to do in Accra, Ghana, but there’s more to find on Oxford Street itself.
During my exploration of Usshertown and Jamestown, my guides and I came across a number of vendors, including a group of women preparing a local favorite. They were making kenkey, which like banku is a dough, but made solely from ground corn.
