Accra

Accra
Name	Accra
Settlement type	Capital city
Coordinates	5, 33, N, 0...
Subdivision type	Country
Subdivision name	Ghana
Subdivision type1	Region
Subdivision name1	Greater Accra Region
Established title	Settled
Established date	15th century
Government type	Metropolitan Assembly
Leader title	Mayor
Leader name	Elizabeth Kwatsoe Tawiah Sackey
Area total km2	225.67
Population total	2,605,000
Population as of	2021
Population density km2	auto
Timezone	Greenwich Mean Time
Utc offset	GMT
Blank name	Climate
Blank info	Aw

Accra. Accra is the capital and largest city of Ghana, situated on the southern coast along the Gulf of Guinea. It serves as the country's administrative, economic, and cultural hub, housing key institutions like the Parliament of Ghana and the Bank of Ghana. The city evolved from a series of independent settlements, including Jamestown and Osu, established by the Ga people and later influenced by European trading powers.

History

The area's earliest settlements were established by the Ga people in the 15th century. By the 17th century, European powers including the Portuguese Empire, Dutch West India Company, Danish West India Company, and British Empire had built forts along the coast, such as Fort James and Christiansborg Castle. Accra grew as a significant trading center in the Atlantic slave trade and later for cocoa and gold. It became the capital of the British Gold Coast in 1877, replacing Cape Coast. Key events in its modern history include the 1948 Accra riots, which galvanized the independence movement led by Kwame Nkrumah, and its designation as capital of an independent Ghana in 1957. It later hosted the founding conference of the Organisation of African Unity in 1963.

Geography and climate

Accra is located on the Gulf of Guinea in the southeastern part of Ghana, within the Greater Accra Region. The city's topography is generally flat with occasional hills, and it is drained by the Odaw River and the Korle Lagoon. Its coastline features notable areas like the Labadi Beach and the Independence Arch at Black Star Square. Accra experiences a tropical savanna climate (Köppen Aw) with distinct wet and dry seasons, influenced by the West African monsoon. The main rainy season occurs from April to mid-July, with a minor season in October, while the Harmattan wind from the Sahara brings dry, dusty conditions between December and February.

Demographics and culture

Accra is a highly cosmopolitan city, with the Ga people and the Akan people forming major ethnic groups, alongside significant populations of Ewe, Dagomba, and many other Ghanaian ethnicities. It is also home to a large international community. Languages spoken include Ga, Akan (particularly Twi), and English, which is the official language. The city is a center for Ghanaian music, being the birthplace of highlife and a hub for hiplife and Afrobeats. Major cultural institutions include the National Theatre of Ghana, the Ghana National Museum, and the W.E.B. Du Bois Memorial Centre for Pan-African Culture. Annual festivals like the Homowo and the Chale Wote Street Art Festival draw large crowds.

Economy

Accra is the financial and commercial heart of Ghana. The city hosts the headquarters of the Bank of Ghana, the Ghana Stock Exchange, and numerous multinational corporations. Key economic sectors include financial services, telecommunications led by companies like MTN Ghana, manufacturing of goods such as processed foods and textiles, and a vibrant informal sector. The Port of Tema, located to the city's east, is a critical node for international trade and shipping. Kotoka International Airport serves as the primary aviation gateway. Challenges include urban sprawl and traffic congestion, though major projects like the Pokuase Interchange aim to improve infrastructure.

Government and politics

Accra is governed by the Accra Metropolitan Assembly, headed by a Metropolitan Chief Executive who is the Mayor. The current mayor is Elizabeth Kwatsoe Tawiah Sackey. The city is also the national political capital, housing the Parliament of Ghana, the Jubilee House (the presidential palace), and the Supreme Court of Ghana. It is divided into several administrative districts, including the Ablekuma Central, Okaikwei North, and Korle Klottey districts. Accra is the seat of several diplomatic missions, including the United States Embassy and the British High Commission.

Landmarks and tourism

The city boasts a mix of historical, cultural, and modern landmarks. Historic sites include the Jamestown Lighthouse, the Ussher Fort, and the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum. Notable public spaces are the Black Star Square and Independence Arch. Cultural attractions feature the Makola Market, the Arts Centre, and the Accra International Conference Centre. Modern structures include the Villaggio Vista and the Ridge Church. For leisure, visitors frequent Labadi Beach, the Aburi Botanical Garden in the nearby Akwapim Hills, and shopping malls like the Accra Mall. The city's vibrant nightlife is centered in areas such as Osu and Airport City.

Category:Capitals in Africa Category:Populated places in the Greater Accra Region Category:Port cities in Ghana