Ghana's Capital Accra through the Captain's Eyes

The city of Accra is the capital of Ghana and is located on the ocean coast in the south west of Central Africa. There are regular flights from our country to Accra as well as other major airline companies. There is a visa requirement for all passport types except diplomatic.

Accra International Airport is modest in size but extremely efficient in its use. As passengers are taken from the planes to the terminal area via bellows, they are guided by not very polite officials. Almost all of the staff, whether male or female, are unfriendly, but don't let this put you off, they also behave the same way towards each other. Following the passport queues, which are not very long, baggage claim and customs clearance can take some time. After everyone arriving in the country is checked one by one, it is possible to exit the terminal.

At the exit of the terminal, you will be greeted by extremely hot weather, with occasional heavy rain but always high humidity. Even in winter conditions, the air temperature is 28-30 degrees during the day and about 20 degrees at night. If you come across rainy weather conditions, you may feel as if it will never stop.

If you do not have a previous transfer to the hotel where you will stay, there is no other means of transportation other than taxi. All taxis in this city are different colors, but the front and rear fenders are always painted yellow. It is a feature that I have never seen anywhere in the world. Vehicle traffic flows from the right and the rental car option can be considered. But the fact that should not be forgotten is the traffic jam. It is useful to be prepared for heavier traffic jams than Istanbul, especially in the evening hours. Of course, the horn sounds will not be foreign to you at all and may even be at levels that may disturb you from time to time. Almost everyone uses car or motor horns extensively.

Unlike the less than courteous officials you may encounter at the terminal, the locals you will encounter in daily life are extremely calm and helpful. Due to the harsh living conditions, you will encounter beggars and peddlers at almost all traffic lights. Even the people here are far from being insistent. Many parts of the city are full of people living in very difficult conditions and makeshift accommodation. You can often find homeless people sleeping or sheltering at bus stops.

As you travel around the city, you can see that government buildings, ministries and even embassies are very modest. On the contrary, the Ministry of Justice complex and the State Theater buildings are extremely modern and large, which inevitably raises questions. Even on the coastal area there are slums and urban transformation projects are under construction. Maybe 10 years from now, these neighborhoods will look different to us.

Fried bananas are extremely popular street food and are offered for about 20 cents. Likewise, you can find fried meat pieces in the form of skewers and fried chicken or duck pieces at very affordable prices. However, you may have questions about hygiene. Even in 5-star hotels, you can drink beer for about 2 dollars. Coke and soft drinks are also offered to guests at about the same prices. Hotel breakfasts are served to guests with extremely rich options. It is even so exaggerated that water and champagne can be offered to guests at the same level. As a main course, even in the luxury hotel restaurant, they can offer 200 grams of Salmon fish for about 10 dollars. It is an indisputable fact that the restaurants outside are cheaper than this. 

The most important place to visit in the city is the State Theater building. Other than that, you can go to the beach and sunbathe. Also, the Mokola Local Market in the city center is an ideal shopping place for souvenirs and handmade paintings. The language used is usually English and it is possible to communicate with almost everyone in this way. There are many venues for nightlife, some of which may look ramshackle from the outside. Entrance is usually free and there is no information about security. A 2-day planning will be enough for this city.

Have a pleasant trip.