Accra, Ghana

By Mohammed Abdallah

Bronx Journal Staff Writer

Many a tourist to Ghana enters the country through Kotoka International Airport, the main gateway to this West African nation of Ghana, located in the capital city of Accra.

The recent renovations to the airport that took place in 2004 have given the airport a new facelift. The airport, which is operated by the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority, houses all the major international airlines such as British Airways, KLM/Northwest and Lufthansa, just to name a few. In 2004 alone, the estimated number of passengers that went through the airport was close to about a million.

The population of Accra is approximately two million.  It is the administrative and commercial center of Ghana.

Historically, Accra was founded in the 1500’s by the Ga people who had immigrated from Ille-ife, a town located in modern-day Nigeria. The word “Accra” was derived from an Ashanti word,“nkran,” which literally means ants, in reference to the numerous anthills  located in the surrounding countryside

During the expansion of colonialism towards the end of the 17th century, Accra served as a center for trade with the Portuguese, who built a fort in the town, followed by the Swedish, Dutch, French, British and Danish.

Accra became the capital of Ghana (then a colony of Britain known as  the Gold Coast) in 1877.  Present day Accra developed around the various forts built by the numerous European powers that converged on the town to exploit its resources, both natural and human.

Osu Castle has for time immemorial been the seat of government and is fondly referred to in certain quarters as the White House of Ghana. The other notable areas are Jamestown, which is located near the British fort and is sometimes called British Accra; Usshertown, which is located near the Dutch Ussherfort. Together, these areas form the core of the modern city.

It is of interest to note that the Accra Riots of 1948 served as a launching pad for Kwame Nkrumah’s campaign for the independence of Ghana from British colonial rule, which eventually took place on March 6, 1957.

Accra is now home to the University of Ghana. It was founded in 1948 and was originally named University College of the Gold Coast, an affiliate of the famous London University. The university is located about 12 kilometers away from Accra and boasts several faculties, a multi-purpose hall, a playground and a  large library with more than 60,000 volumes and state-of the-art technology. Paramount among the faculties is the African Studies department, which is a strong attraction for  African-American students, researchers and professors. A former administrator of the department was renowned poet Maya Angelou.

Accra is also home to the National Museum of Ghana, the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences, the National Archives, the Kofi Annan Center of Excellence, the Center of National Culture and the W.E.B. Du Bois Memorial Museum.

A visit to the Du Bois Memorial Museum could be of immense interest to  tourists.  W.E.B. DuBois ended up spending his last days in Accra after being invited by the then president of Ghana Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah to help in the establishment of The Encyclopedia Africana. Interestingly, DuB

ois and his wife, Shirly Graham Du Bois, became naturalized Ghanaian citizens and the center also doubles as a mausoleum to which many tourists pay annual pilgrimage.

The Accra Metropolitan Assembly has a mayor who is in charge of the administrative aspects of the city. The city is characterized by hawkers and traders of all types who sell at any vantage point they get. There have been some efforts lately by the mayor to decongest certain areas in order to attract more tourists to the city. In Central Accra, which was normally congested with human and vehicular traffic, now has a regular free flow of traffic — a far-cry from when motorists had to toot and honk their horns to clear pedestrians who themselves lost walking space on the pavement due to the encroachment of hawkers.

According to news reports, the city’s mayor has set up a special tribunal to aggressively deal with recalcitrant hawkers and traders.

Accra is normally green with trees and flowers, giving the city an outstanding look and feel. It becomes more beautiful at night when street lights dot the various routes; the reconstruction of new fly-over and toreros, or communal taxis, a popular  and inexpensive means of public transportation, buses and taxis giving the city the bustle of some place out of a new, Afro-futuristic dream.

A visit to the various beach resorts such as Bortianor, Kokrobite and Labadi Pleasure Beach can also add spice, for a Ghanaian home from abroad, a resident and a tourist alike. The scenery at the national cultural park is also a source of attraction.

Many Ghanaians and foreigners alike equate Accra with Ghana and Ghana with Accra. Although the country’s ten other regions or states are as important, Accra is the vibrant spirit and soul of the country as a whole. As the capital city, all foreign embassies are located in Accra. The harbor city of Tema, an area within greater Accra, is an important point for import or export trade.

Independence Square, located near the seat of government, is a place where most ceremonial functions take place, even though some of the important state functions happen elsewhere.

A visit to Accra might also entail a trip to Akosombo, about a 30 minute drive outside the city limits. The Akosombo Dam is reputed to be the world’s largest artificial dam.

The presence of kelewele (fried plantain cut in to pieces) in all corners at night could give some comfort to the curious tourist. The presence of chop bars (local restaurants) could also serve as a relish to the tourist who wants to try the local dishes.

The tourist who wants to stick with the Western  offerings can pay a visit to the Golden Tulip Hotel, Labadie Beach Hotel, and the Novotel, all of which which are internationally ranked in the five-star category.

The proverbial Ghanaian hospitality is undoubtedly felt within a person’s first arrival in the capital city of Ghana — Accra!