The Complete Guide to Touring Greater Accra Region: Travel, Lifestyle & Business

Introduction

The Greater Accra Region, Ghana’s smallest by land area but most populous region, is the heartbeat of the nation. It is home to Accra, the capital city, and Tema, the port city, both serving as economic, political, and cultural powerhouses. Whether you’re a first-time tourist, a business traveler, or a returning Ghanaian, the region has everything: historic monuments, sandy beaches, bustling markets, shopping malls, world-class restaurants, affordable guesthouses, universities, ministries, eco-parks, and vibrant nightlife.

This guide by Accra Street Journal is your all-in-one reference to exploring, living, and enjoying Greater Accra.

1. Getting to Greater Accra

• Kotoka International Airport (KIA) – Ghana’s main international gateway, located in Airport City. It handles most flights into the country and is ranked among West Africa’s best airports.

  📢 GET A DETAILED ARTICLES + JOBS

  Join ASJ's WhatsApp Channel and never miss a post or opportunity.

  📲 Join ASJ Channel Now

• Major Roads: Accra–Tema Motorway, George Bush Highway, Accra–Aflao Road, Accra–Kumasi Road.

• Transport Options:

  • Ride-hailing: Uber, Bolt, Yango.

  • Local transport: Trotros (shared minibuses), taxis.

  • Bus terminals: VIP Station (Circle, Accra), STC Station (Circle & Airport), Tudu, Kaneshie, and Madina lorry stations.

2. Top Tourist Sites in Greater Accra

Historical & Cultural Attractions

• Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum (Accra Central) – Resting place of Ghana’s first President.

• Independence Square (Black Star Square, Accra) – Venue for national parades and independence celebrations.

• James Town & Ussher Fort – Colonial-era forts and Ga cultural hub.

• Osu Castle (Christiansborg Castle, Osu) – Former seat of government with rich colonial history.

• National Museum of Ghana (Barnes Road) – Artifacts and exhibitions on Ghana’s history.

Beaches & Coastal Tourism

• Labadi Beach (La) – Lively beach with horse rides, music, and nightlife.

• Bojo Beach (Weija) – Scenic private beach with canoe crossings.

• Kokrobite Beach – Popular with backpackers and reggae lovers.

• Ada Foah – Lagoon estuary, island resorts, water sports.

• Prampram & Ningo Beaches – Quiet escapes for weekend relaxation.

Nature & Adventure

• Shai Hills Resource Reserve (Doryumu) – Wildlife, hiking, and caves.

• Legon Botanical Gardens (UG Campus) – Canopy walks, kayaking, eco-tourism.

• Dodowa Forest & Waterfalls – Historical site of the Katamanso war.

3. Towns & Districts in Greater Accra

• Accra Metropolitan: Osu, Adabraka, Jamestown, Nima, Kaneshie.

• Tema Metropolitan: Industrial hub, fishing harbour, Tema Communities 1–25.

• Ga East & West: Madina, Dome, Amasaman, Pokuase.

• Shai Osudoku: Dodowa, Shai Hills.

• Dangme East & West: Ada Foah, Prampram, Ningo.

Each district offers a different experience: commerce in Accra, nightlife in Osu, fishing culture in Ada and Prampram, and eco-adventures in Shai Hills.

4. Accommodation in Greater Accra

Luxury Hotels

• Kempinski Gold Coast Hotel (Ridge, Accra)

• Labadi Beach Hotel (La)

• Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel (Ridge)

• Tang Palace Hotel (Roman Ridge)

Mid-range & Boutique Hotels

• Alisa Hotel (North Ridge)

• La Palm Royal Beach Hotel (Labadi)

• Oak Plaza Hotel (East Airport)

Budget Hotels & Guesthouses

• Pink Hostel (Asylum Down)

• Madina & East Legon Guesthouses – affordable for students and travelers.

Airbnb & Rentals

Accra and Tema have thriving Airbnb markets, with apartments in Osu, East Legon, Airport City, and Labone starting from $40–$100 per night. Monthly rentals range from:

• Accra Central/East Legon/Airport City: $800–$3,000/month.

• Madina/Amasaman/Kaneshie: $200–$600/month.

5. Restaurants, Food & Nightlife

Ghanaian Cuisine

• Buka Restaurant (Osu) – Traditional Ghanaian & West African dishes.

• Chop Bars – Bush Canteen (Legon), Heavy Do (North Kaneshie).

Continental & International

• Skybar25 (Airport City) – Rooftop fine dining.

• Santoku (Airport Residential) – Japanese cuisine.

• Mamma Mia (Osu) – Famous for pizza.

Nightlife

• Carbon (Airport City) – Upscale nightclub.

• Twist Nightclub (Labone) – Popular with youth.

• +233 Jazz Bar (North Ridge) – Live band and jazz performances.

6. Shopping in Greater Accra

• Markets: Makola Market, Kaneshie Market, Dome Market, Nima Market.

• Malls & Supermarkets:

  • Accra Mall (Spintex) – Flagship mall with Shoprite & cinemas.

  • West Hills Mall (Weija) – Largest mall in West Africa by land area.

  • Marina Mall (Airport City) – Upscale shopping.

  • China Mall (Spintex, Kasoa) – Affordable home & office goods.

  • Palace Mall, Maxmart, Koala, Melcom – Supermarkets.

7. Education: Universities & Schools

Public Universities

• University of Ghana (Legon) – Ghana’s premier university.

• University of Professional Studies (UPSA, Madina)

• Accra Technical University (Accra Central)

• Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA, Legon)

Private Universities

• Central University (Miotso, near Tema)

• Ashesi University (Berekuso, near Accra)

• Webster University (East Legon)

• Wisconsin International University College (North Legon)

International schools (Lincoln, GIS, SOS-Hermann Gmeiner) also attract expat families.

8. Ministries, Business & Governance

The ministries enclave in Accra houses government ministries: Foreign Affairs, Finance, Interior, Defence, Education, Energy, and more. Accra Central, Ridge, and Airport City are the business hubs with embassies, banks, and corporate offices.

9. Parks, Festivals & Culture

• Efua Sutherland Children’s Park (Accra Central)

• Accra Sports Stadium (Osu) – Football and concerts.

• Independence Day (March 6th) – National parades.

• Homowo Festival (Ga communities) – Celebrated in August–September.

• Chale Wote Street Art Festival (Jamestown) – Global attraction for art lovers.

10. Practical Tips for Tourists

• Best Time to Visit: November–March (dry season, festivals).

• Transport Tip: Trotros are cheap, but for comfort, use Uber, Bolt, or STC buses for intercity travel.

• Safety: Watch belongings in crowded areas, avoid isolated beaches at night.

• Currency: Ghana Cedi (GHS). Forex bureaus available at Osu, Airport, Accra Mall.

• Health: Malaria prophylaxis recommended; hospitals include Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Nyaho Medical Centre, and 37 Military Hospital.

Below is a detailed, representative list for some major institutions and tips for finding comprehensive data:

Representative Key Institutions in Greater Accra

Ministries & Government Agencies (Selected)

Here are a few ministries / agencies with headquarters (or major offices) in Accra / Greater Accra:

• Ministry of Health

• Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture

• Ministry of Trade & Industry

• Ministry of Roads & Highways

• Ministry of Energy

• Food and Drugs Authority (agency under health)

• Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD)

To get a complete list, look up “Ministries, Departments and Agencies Ghana” (often acronym: MDAs) and filter for Greater Accra.

Universities (Public & Private)

Here are some notable ones in Greater Accra:

Public / Government-affiliated:

• Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), Accra

• University of Ghana, Legon (public) — very prominent (though not always listed in your request)

• Accra Technical University

• University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA)

Private / Faith-based / Special:

• Central University (Accra / outskirts)

• Webster University – private international university in Accra

• Ashesi University (just outside Accra)

• Wisconsin International University College

Hospitals & Clinics

Key hospitals / medical facilities in Greater Accra:

• University of Ghana Teaching Hospital, Legon (Public, major teaching hospital)

• Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (the main national hospital in Accra)

• 37 Military Hospital

• Ridge Hospital

• Tamale Hospital (outside region), so skip

• Nyaho Medical Centre

• Private clinics and specialist centers (Eye clinics, dental clinics, etc.)

• Polyclinics in various neighborhoods

To get a full list: Ghana Health Service publishes directories of hospitals and health facilities by region.

Banks & Financial Institutions

Major banks in Accra / Greater Accra (just a sample):

• Ghana Commercial Bank (GCB)

• Standard Chartered Bank

• Ecobank Ghana

• Stanbic Bank

• Fidelity Bank

• Zenith Bank

• Access Bank

• Agricultural Development Bank (ADB)

These banks typically have branches in most towns/districts. For full branch directory, check each bank’s website for “branch locator Greater Accra”.

Pharmacies & Drugstores

Some notable pharmacies / chains in Accra:

• City Pharmacies

• Rokmer Pharma Ltd

• La General Pharmacy

• Unicom Chemist

• M & L Pharmacy

• Kofikrom Pharmacy

• Jubilee Pharmacy

• Ernest Chemist

• Pharmacy shops in malls like Accra Mall, West Hills, Marina Mall

Again, to get all pharmacies, you’ll need to pull from health regulatory body listings or Ghana Pharmacy Council.

Insurance Companies & Brokers

Sample insurers / brokers in Accra:

• Allianz Insurance Ghana

• DoneWell Insurance

• SIC Insurance (State Insurance Corporation)

• Star Assurance

• Priority Insurance Company Ltd

• Enterprise Life

• Activa Insurance

• Vanguard Assurance

• Insurance brokers like Hollard Ghana, Millennium Insurance Brokers

For a complete list, refer to the National Insurance Commission (NIC) directory for Ghana.

Hotels, Nightclubs & Resorts

Hotels (Major ones in Accra / Greater Accra):

• Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City, Accra

• Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel, Accra

• Best Western Plus Accra Beach Hotel, Nungua

• The Signature Haven (boutique)

• Tang Palace Hotel (Cantonments)

• La Villa Boutique Hotel, Labone

Nightclubs / Entertainment (Examples):

• Carbon Nightclub (Airport City)

• Twist Nightclub (Labone)

• +233 Jazz Bar & Grill (North Ridge)

• Bassica (Osu)

• Club Silk (Osu)

• Republic Bar & Grill

Resorts / Beach Resorts:

• Labadi Beach Hotel (beach + resort)

• Best Western Plus Accra Beach Hotel (Nungua)

• Ada Foah resorts (Treasure Island, Aqua Safari)

• Bojo Beach Resort

Markets, Malls & Supermarkets

• Open Markets: Makola Market, Kaneshie Market, Madina Market, Nima Market

• Malls & Retail Chains:

  • Accra Mall (Spintex)

  • West Hills Mall (Weija)

  • Marina Mall (Airport City)

  • Game, Shoprite, Koala, Melcom

• Supermarkets / Retail Chains:

  • Shoprite (Accra Mall)

  • Koala

  • Maxmart

  • Palace Supermarket

Travel & Business Tips for Greater Accra

Travel Tips:

• Avoid peak hour travel (7–9 AM, 5–7 PM) in Accra — traffic is heavy.

• Use ride-hailing apps for safety and convenience (Bolt, Uber).

• Carry mobile money and small cash — many small vendors don’t take cards.

• Stay hydrated and apply mosquito repellent, especially in humid areas.

• Ask locals for shortcuts; Accra has many small “back roads”.

Business Tips:

• Having a Ghana business registration (Ghana C.I.I.C) helps with permits. SamBoad Business Group Ltd helps with business registrations in Ghana

• Use reliable data connectivity — 4G/5G is widely available in Accra.

• Networking in Accra is important; co-working spaces (e.g. Impact Hub) are useful.

• Real estate rentals: prime neighborhoods (Airport, East Legon, Cantonments) command high rents; peripheral areas (Madina, Amasaman) are more affordable.

• Regulatory compliance: always check with Ghana Revenue Authority, environmental permits, etc.

Conclusion From Accra Street Journal

The Greater Accra Region is a world in one region—a blend of politics, business, leisure, and culture. From historic forts and lively beaches to luxury hotels and student hostels, Greater Accra is Ghana’s most dynamic destination. Whether you’re here to work, study, invest, or relax, this guide gives you the blueprint to experience Accra to its fullest.

Source: Accra Street Journal

Last Updated on October 1, 2025 by Samuel Kwame Boadu

Samuel Kwame Boadu

Samuel Kwame Boadu is a Ghanaian media entrepreneur and storyteller with a passion for amplifying urban voices and uncovering everyday truths. He is the Editor-in-Chief and Founder of Accra Street Journal, a dynamic digital platform dedicated to capturing the pulse of Ghana’s capital—its people, culture, challenges, business, sports and innovations.

accrastreetjournal.com/