Accra

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Quick Facts

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Coordinates

• Latitude: 5.54009
• Longitude: -0.20738

On Travellerspoint

• 1 Accra Apartments
• 3 Accra Guesthouses
• 4 Accra Hostels
• 3 Accra Hotels

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Introduction

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Sprawled along the Atlantic Coast in southeast Ghana, Accra is the country's largest city and capital. Over 2 million people live in the city, which is now considered one of Africa's most developed cities.

Accra is known for an invigorating nightlife - one of Africa's liveliest - and a range of important national monuments. Old colonial architecture, a reminder of the country's past under the British empire, stands alongside modern resorts, developed to welcome the growing tourist industry.

Accra was established in the late 17th century by the local Ga people. It became an significant port, acting as a trading port for Portuguese ships. Accra became the capital of Ghana in 1877.

Kotoka International Airport in Accra is Ghana's primary international airport.

Neighbourhoods

Sights and Activities

Accra has a range of historic buildings which are well worth checking out.

Osu Castle

Osu Castle, also known as Fort Christianborg, is located in the capital and the building is the current seat of government. The original fort was built by the Danes in the mid 17th century, although the fort has been reconstructed several times. It has also switched between the hands of several different powers. During British rule the fort was made into the seat of government. Sadly today the fort is not open to the public and photography is limited for reasons of national security.

Other Sights and Activities

• National Museum of Ghana - Ghana's oldest and largest museum, opened in 1957. Features objects of archaeology, ethnography as well as fine art. Open daily from 9am to 5pm.
• Memorial to Kwame Nkrumah - Is one of the most beautiful memorials in all of Africa. Kwame Nkrumah was an extremely important person to the Pan-African movement and this memorial helps to reflect that. This is a great place to spend a few hours.
• National Theatre - constructed in the 1990s and funded by the Chinese government, the National Theatre is a distinctive landmark in downtown Accra.
• Makol Market - Get some shopping down at this great market in Accra, which has everything from power tools to traditional crafts to medicine.
• Jamestown is the oldest part of Accra. It is still an important fishing harbor. Dubbed a shanty town^[1] by some, it's a historically significant part of Accra and is well worth a visit.
• Labadi beach is considered the city's best beach. There is an entrance fee, unless you're staying at one of the nearby hotels.
• Ohene Djan Stadium is the city's main sports stadium, seating 40,000. It is prominently located in central Accra. It is one of the four stadiums used for the 2008 African Cup of Nations, and will be the one used for the final.
• Aburi Botanical Gardens - Take a day trip for Accra to visit these wonderful gardens in a slightly cooler environment then compared to the coast.

Events and Festivals

The 2008 African Cup of Nations is currently being held in Ghana, with many of the games to be played in Accra. It will run until February 10.

Weather

Accra is hot and humid yearround, with temperatures around 30 degrees Celsius on most days. February to May is a bit hotter, when even nights are very warm at 26 degrees Celsius on average. Although the rainy season lasts from May to October, there generally is a peak in May/June and another in October, while in between it is relatively dry. Accrra is also drier and sunnier compared to places just a bit more inland.

Getting There

By Plane

Ghana International Airlines is the national airline of Ghana and is based at Kotoka International Airport (ACC) near Accra. International destinations include Johannesburg, London and Lagos. KLM flies to and from Amsterdam directly. British Airways and Lufthansa fly to London and Frankfurt respectively and New York is served by Delta Airlines. Alitalia flies to Milan. Other airlines and cities served are mainly within the West African region, but Cairo, Dubai, Beirut and Johannesburg have flights as well, mostly with their respective national airlines.
Domestic services from Accra include Tamala and Kumaisi with Antrak Air.

By Train

There is a rail line connecting the cities of Accra, Takoradi and Kumasi and several intervening towns.

By Car

By Bus

STC operate between Accra and Kumasi, Takoradi, Tamale, Cape Coast and other main cities and there are fast aircon express services, as well as slower buses.

By Boat

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