Greater Accra Region

The Greater Accra Region of Ghana is situated on the shores of the Gulf of Guinea (Atlantic Ocean), almost on the Greenwich Meridian. It is the smallest region of Ghana in terms of a total area covering a total land surface of 3,245 square kilometers which represents 1.4 percent of the total land area of Ghana with an estimated population of about 4 million according to 2010 population census accounting to 16.3 percent of the country’s total population making It the second most populated region, after the Ashanti Region. Greater Accra is Ghana’s regional capital.

Accra, being the capital of the Greater Accra Region can boast of about 3 million inhabitants largely made up of rural-urban migrants. It is a cosmopolitan with many races, colour, and creeds of people. The local language freely spoken include Twi, Ga, and Ewe.

Ghana’s capital is organized into 12 local government districts with the Accra Metropolitan District being the only district within the capital to be granted a City status. Accra usually referred to as the Accra Metropolitan Area has district within its jurisdiction been distinguished from the rest of the capital as the “City of Accra“.

Accra Metropolitan Assembly Building.

The City of Accra is the Region’s economic and administrative hub and serves as the anchor of the larger Greater Accra Metropolitan area, which is inhabited by over 2.5 million people, making it the thirteenth largest metropolitan area in Africa.

Accra is the most densely populated city in Ghana. The central business district of Accra contains the country’s National Bank i.e. Bank of Ghana and other National Department stores. Economic activities in Accra include the financial and commercial sectors, fishing and manufacturing of processed foods, lumber, plywood, textiles, clothing, and chemicals.

Tourist Attractions in Greater Accra Region

The Greater Accra Region leaving up to the expectation as the nation’s capital is made up of interesting tourist sites which include Dr. Kwame Nkrumah Memorial park, Osu Castle, Independence Square, Achimota forest, Shai Hills, and many more fascinating places. The only International Airport of Ghana is situated in Accra, ie. Kotoka International Airport.

Recreational centres such as the National Museum, Labadi Beach, Laboma Beach, and others coupled with National monuments such as the National Theatre, Independence Square, and Accra International Conference Center affirms the region’s mantra as the most sort tourist cities in Africa.

Freedom and Justice Monument in Greater Accra Region

National Theatre of Ghana

Kwame Nkrumah Monument in Accra. Image / lapping (Pixabay)

Festivals in Accra

The Homowo Festival celebrated by the people of Ga which literally means “hooting at hunger” serves as a great remembrance of a great famine. The Homowo Festival occurs in the month of August every year.

On the other side, the Adangbe people from Ada, on the last Thursday of July to the weekend of August each year also celebrates the Asafotu Festival called Asafutufiam to commemorate warriors involved in the battle of victory.

Another popular festival that comes on in Accra in the month of August every year is the Chale Wote Festival. This festival is about street arts, music, dance and numerous performances which occur on the street. The Chale Wote Festival comes on 7 days after the Homowo Festival celebration and it occurs at Jamestown in Accra.

Chale Wote Festival. Image / Enoch Appiah

Homowo Festival celebrated by the people of Ga in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. Image / phmuseum.com

Attaining quality Education in Greater Accra Region is unparalleled with the availability of all the best levels of institutions such as the University of Ghana, University of Professional Studies, Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration, Ghana Institute of Journalism, Presbyterian Senior High School, Achimota Senior High School and the rest.

Greater Accra Region has in it the Jubilee House which serves as the residence for the President of the Republic. It also has the highest court being the Supreme Court and also the offices of the decision-makers being the Parliament of Ghana.

Accra is indeed a stop to watch City in Ghana.

Map of Greater Accra Region