Accra

24 JANUARY 2023

I’ve landed in Accra and immediately welcomed the English language spoken more widely here.

My home is a guest house called “Somewhere Nice” where rooms are C608 per night. For the first time on this trip, I am staying in a space occupied by many European visitors; back packers, NGOs, younger tourists and a family with young children. It’s wonderful to be able to join people in the evening and share common stories and experiences.

Accra is a busy and manageable city. I’ve needed to use taxis to get around the embassies for my visa applications. This has involved spending a day in the more affluent part of the city and in the famous Accra Mall.

I have also been out and about in the coast area of city where the main historical sights are; Liberation Square to commentate Ghana’s independence from British rule in 1957 and used for the hosting of Queen Elizabeth’s state visit on 1961.

Osu castle proved to be a fascinating visit with the informative Solomon as guide. Here I learnt about the Danish-Norwegian trading links and their prominence in this part of Ghana.

Ussher fort, and it’s superb small museum was another worth while visit. Here the museum has evidence from the Fredensborg slave ship which was escavated in 1957. I was able to walk freely round the site which was most recently a prison and now is used by artists.

From the top floor of the museum you could look down on the beach, fishing harbor and old township of Jamestown. As I was there on a Sunday, it was teaming with people enjoying this weekend on the beach.

I have a good feeling about Accra. It seems safe, relaxed and vibrant. There’s a real mix of life styles, architecture and development making for huge contrasts within each corner.