Accra Region. The capital of Ghana.
Accra (/əˈkrɑː/; Twi: Nkran; Dagbani: Ankara; Ga: Ga or Gaga) is the capital and largest city of Ghana, located on the southern coast of the Gulf of Guinea, which is part of the Atlantic Ocean. Accra covers an area of 225.67 km2 (87.13 sq mi) with an estimated urban population of 4.2 million as of 2020.
It is organized into 12 local government districts – 11 municipal districts and the Accra Metropolitan District, which is the only district within the capital to be granted city status. The city usually refers to the Accra Metropolitan Area, which serves as the capital of Ghana. At the same time, the district under the jurisdiction of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly is distinguished from the rest of the capital as the “City of Accra”. In common usage, however, the terms “Accra” and “City of Accra” are used interchangeably.
Formed from the merger of distinct settlements around British Fort James, Dutch Fort Crêvecoeur (Ussher Fort), and Danish Fort Christiansborg as Jamestown, Usshertown, and Christiansborg respectively, Accra served as the capital of the British Gold Coast between 1877 and 1957 and has since transitioned into a modern metropolis.
The capital’s architecture reflects this history, ranging from 19th-century colonial architecture to modern skyscrapers and apartment blocks.
Accra is the Greater Accra Region’s economic and administrative hub and serves as the anchor of the larger Greater Accra Metropolitan Area (GAMA), which is inhabited by about 4 million people, making it the thirteenth-largest metropolitan area in Africa.
In 2020, the Globalization and World Cities Research Network think tank designated Accra as a “Gamma −” level global city, indicating a growing level of international influence and connectedness.
The Greater Accra region is the most urbanized region in the country with 87.4% of its total population living in urban centers.
What is Accra famous for?
Ghana’s port city is the commercial hub of the country. It’s also Ghana’s most populated city and the seat of its government.
The country’s oldest university, the University of Ghana, is located in the suburb of Legon.
Is Accra safe to visit?
Like any major city, the capital will have some level of crime. …
Armed robberies and other violent crimes, including rape and house invasions have increased minimally, however, violence against foreign nationals is low compared to other African countries. Credit card fraud is an increasing problem in Ghana with the intensity of the menace silently active in the city.
Map of Accra shows all districts
| Coordinates: 5°33′N 0°12′WCoordinates: 5°33′N 0°12′W | |
| Country | Ghana |
| Region | Greater Accra |
What is Accra known for? The city is known for its peaceful environment and the friendliness of its citizens towards foreigners.
Is Ghana a poor country?
Despite the booming economic growth, poverty in Accra is still prevalent.
Poverty has shifted from urban areas to now more rural areas of the country; in fact, rural poverty is almost four times higher than urban poverty. The northern region of the country makes up the most significant number of citizens in poverty in Ghana.
What is the main food?
Yam, maize, and beans are used in the city and across Ghana as staple foods. Sweet potatoes and cocoyam are also important in the Ghanaian diet and cuisine. With the advent of globalization, cereals such as rice and wheat have been increasingly incorporated into Ghanaian cuisine
Is Accra safe to visit?
Being the capital of Ghana, the city is a relatively stable city, a gem in a region where peace, stability, and low crime rates are not very common. Avoid walking alone at night, since Ghana is not a safe country for tourists at night. Foreigners, even during the daytime, are often the target of thefts and muggings…like most countries where petty crimes against foreigners are common.
Is Ghana corrupt?
Even though corruption in Ghana is relatively low when compared to other countries in Africa, businesses frequently quote corruption as an obstacle to doing business in the country. … Corruption in Ghana is comparatively less prevalent than in other countries in the region.
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