The National Museum
Located
on Barnes Road, this fine museum houses a fascinating collection of Ghana's
historical treasures. The exhibits housed under the two-tiered rotunda of the
museum comprise much more
than Ghanaian Culture alone, and include a collection of the neighboring West
African countries as well as an archaeological department located in a hall on
the first floor.
One of the museum's ground-floor wings is devoted to temporary exhibitions
which can range from contemporary dyed fabrics to traditional and even sacred
artifacts such as the celebrated Ashanti
ancestor stools.
Independence Square
The
venue for many national celebrations, dominated by the independence arch and
the memorial to Unknown Soldier
The Du Bois Memorial Center for Pan-Africa Culture:
A source of inspiration to many, this Centre now houses a research library and
gallery of manuscripts, as well as the grave of this famous African-American
scholar and his wife.
Somewhere in the recesses of the City of Accra called Cantonments, where the
calm air, the cool trees, and the sunshine combine to produce a unique
serenity; where the songs of the birds provide a sort of euphoria; there, in
that tranquillity, squats a house, No. 22 First Circular Road, which has been
dedicated and consecrated to the memory of a man who loved Africa where he
traced his roots, a modest man, but whose life and works raised him above
ordinary men and placed him among the great men of all time - Dr. William
Edward Burghardt Du Bois.
It is the W. E. B. Du Bois, Memorial Centre for Pan African Culture dedicated
to the life of a man who spent greater part of his life in the struggle for the
emancipation of the black man through Pan Africanism.
A house declared a National Monument by the Government of Ghana where the
remains of the man, Du Bois and the ashes of his wife, Shirley, rest in a peace
– enshrined, that their memory will live among men and women in this generation
and beyond.
But, more significant too, House No. 22 First Circular Road, Cantonment, was
the dwelling of Dr. Du Bois during the epoch-making last days of his life, and
it was here, on August 27, 1963, that he breathed his last.
The black and white rectangular building sits in the middle of raised walls
that form a large magnificently landscaped compound dotted with trees, flowers,
pathways, and aquarium, with two gates in the Western and Northern walls.
Inside, the hall is decorated with the portraits of some celebrities of Ghana
and Africa. There is also the display gallery for manuscripts, other Du Bois
Memorabilia, and research library of his treasured books and other great
writers.
A special plaque mounted on a concrete contrivance welcomes the visitor with
two inscriptions from the Du Bois poem “Children of the Moon.
I am dead
Yet Somehow, Somewhere,
In Time’s weird contraction,
May tell of that dread deed, wherewith
I brought to children of the Moon
Freedom and vast salvation.
I rose upon the mountain of the moon
I feel the blazing glory of the sun,
I heard the song of children crying
“Free”
I saw the face of Freedom
And I died
Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum
This is the last resting place of the first President of Ghana, who was a
famous pan-Africanist.The Centre consists of a museum of his life and works,
the mausoleum, and his statue, which stands on the spot
(the Polo grounds as it used to be called) where he declared Independece for
the country on 6th March, 1957.
The George Padmore Research Library on Africa Affairs
The George Padmore Institute (GPI) is a library, research and educational
centre housing materials relating to the black community of Caribbean, African
and Asian descent in Britain and continental Europe. The Institute is named
after George Padmore (1902-1959), the Trinidadian writer and dedicated Pan
Africanist who became one of the most influential figures in the anti-colonialism
and independence
struggles of the 20th century.
Centre for National Culture - Accra
Presents traditional handicrafts in various forms from all over Ghana and West
Africa, it includes workshops and art galleries. There is an arts and crafts
bazaar and a traditional textile market with souvenirs that have been crafted
in clay, wood, leather and metal. There is also indoor market with stalls for
footwear, T- shirts and souvenirs University of Ghana at Legon Ghana's premier
centre of higher education, it was founded in 1948. Set in beautiful gardens,
including a striking botanical garden, it also houses the School of Performing
Arts, the Balme Library and the School for African Studies.
The Markets of Accra
Amongst the most famous markets of Accra are Makola market located on Kojo
Thompson Road, and the Osu Night Market, where market stalls are illuminated by
hundreds of lanterns and candles.
Makola Shopping Mall
Located at the Accra Central. Has adequate car parking space. The market was
recently constructed to replace the old one with the same name. One can obtain
beautiful African Textiles, Foodstuffs,
Traditional Cloths and clothes, shoes, cosmetics, etc. It also houses a bank,
restaurants, offices, etc. Because of its central location it enjoys a lot of
patronage from residents in Accra and tourists alike.
Agbogbloshie Market
Located near the Timber Market on the Fadama Road. This is another newly
constructed market. It enjoys all the facilities as the Makola Shopping Mall.
Other local markets found in Accra are the Kaneshie Market Complex located on
the Mallam-Odorkor Road, Kaneshie, and the Kantamanto Market also located in
central Accra is the capital's local and largest flea market. Items sold here
are mostly imported second hand clothes, shoes and household items.
The National Theatre
The distinctive architecture of this modern building encompasses an important
national centre for the performing arts. Programmes are advertised on banners
and in the national newspapers.
Accra Zoo
The Zoo is located at Kanda. When travelling north on the Independence Avenue,
past Ako Adjei Interchange and look for Afrikiko Restaurant; turn left and
follow the signs leading to the zoo.
The phone number is 021-772553 and it is open daily between the hours of 9:30am
5pm. There is a small, but fascinating collection of many birds and animals
indigenous to Africa. Some of these animals
that are worth a visit include monkeys, snakes, lions, leopards, crocodiles,
duikers among others. Interestingly, the zoo was once part of Kwame Nkrumah's
estate. His original house (in its original condition) is still located
adjacent to the zoo.
The Osu Castle (Christiansborg) - Accra
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The Osu Castle (Christiansborg) is unique among the castles and forts. It
served as Government House during various periods in the 19th and 20th
centuries and continues to play that role today.
The building of the first lodge in the 17th century at Ursu or Osu is
attributed to the Swedish African Company. In 1657, the Swedish headquarters at
Carolusburg Castle, Cape Coast was captured by the Danish Guinea Company led by
Heindrick Caerlof who himself was formerly the Swedish Africa Company's
Commanding Director.
This resulted in all Swedish establishments including Osu lodge passing into
the hands of the Danish Africa Company. Caerlof defected to the Dutch in 1659.
The Danish Commander of Carolusburg was tricked into believing that Denmark had
been conquered. He therefore sold Carolusburg to the Dutch together with the former
Swedish establishments including Osu lodge. The Ga
Paramount Chief, Okaikoi, disgusted with their trickery, asked the Dutch to
leave Osu. In 1661, Jost Cramer, Danish governor of Fredericksborg, near Cape
Coast, acquired land from Chief Okaikoi
for 3,200 gold florins. The Danes built a stone fort to replace the earthen
lodge and named it Christiansborg (Christian's fortress) after the former King
of Denmark, Christian IV who had died in 1648.
Shai Resource Reserve
The Shai Hills Resource Reserve is found in the Greater Accra Region,
approximately 50km north-east of the capital of Accra on the main road between
Accra and the Volta Region.
The reserve, which is 5,140ha (51km) in area, was
first gazetted as a forest reserve in 1962 and is presently administered and
managed by the Wildlife Division of the Ghana Forestry Commission.
New Coco Beach Resort
Located at Teshie-Nungua, east of Accra, it has a serene atmosphere with
excellent accommodation. It is a perfect place for relaxation.
Cocoloco Beach
Cocoloco Beach is located at Ada Foah - about an hour east of Accra where the
Volta River meets the Atlantic Ocean. The area is a natural paradise and a
breeding ground for a variety of sea turtles.
The Volta Estuary is also a sanctuary for an enormous number of birds. Cocoloco
has camping and accommodation in a number of bungalows built in a traditional
thatch style. To get there, head east from Accra and branch right at the
Kasseh-Ada junction. If you are coming by "tro-tro" or commercial
bus, get out at the last stop and ask a taxi to take you to the Cocoloco Beach
Camp Resort near the village of Totimekope.
Korle Beach Resort
This interesting resort is located on the Accra beach road. A budget hotel on
Korle Gonno Beach front is becoming popular for holidaymakers.
Next Door Beach Resort
Next Door, an excellent beach resort-complex is a model resort of international
standard worthy of mention. The peace and tranquility reigning in the hearts of
lovers and people are ever present at this resort. It is simply a pictorial
story you need to know and consume as first hand information about this earthly
paradise, which is on the Accra-Teshie road.