Accra (Central)

Central Accra is the administrative & cultural centre of Accra, and is the location of many of the city's government ministries, hotels, businesses, and is headquarters of many major financial institutions in Ghana.

Many of Accra's principal attractions are located in Central Accra, such as the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum, Ghana's National Museum & Theatre, Independence Arch & Square, and the newly-named Ohene Djan Sports Stadium.

The Ring Road, looking west towards Kwame Nkrumah Circle (January 2007)

Geographically, it is difficult to define where the limits of central Accra, although for the purposes of this article, the author has identified the Ring Road as a perimeter separating central Accra from the outlying suburbs.

Extending from Korle Lagoon in the west, north to Kwame Nkrumah Circle, following east to the juncture of Independence Avenue, and following on to Osu/Christianborg, Ring Road is a multi-lane motorway which forms a C-shape around some of the oldest districts in Accra and the Gulf Of Guinea.

Ring Road, looking east towards The Ridge (January 2007)

A reasonably modern motorway, the heavily-used Ring Road is around 8km from start to end, and is split by name into Ring Road West, Central, and East. Three overpasses, for the equally busy Nsawam & Kanda High Roads, and Liberation Avenue allow traffic to flow reasonably freely.

The King Tackie Tawiah Overpass spanning Ring Road at The Ridge (January 2007)

As a commercial centre, Ring Road is busiest between Kwame Nkrumah Circle and Kanda High Road, and the area is a bustling retail, commercial, and administrative centre.

  Adabraka/Asylum Down

Immediately south of Ring Road Central is the suburb of Adabraka, also known as Asylum Down. Named by the Muslims which settled this area of Accra in the early 20th Century, the suburb is a lively & interesting mix of budget hotels, chop bars, clubs, and nightspots. 

Farrar Avenue in Adabraka, facing north (January 2007)

A major concentration of these businesses is located on Farrar Avenue, as is Trust Towers, a nine-storey administrative building perched on a ridgeline that serves as a landmark for those orienteering in the area. Trust Towers also has an adjoining shopping plaza that contains several specialty stores.

Trust Towers in Adabraka (January 2007)

Due to the suburb’s lower living costs, Adabraka often becomes the place of residence for new arrivals to the capital, although new developments are springing up in the area constantly.

The Ridge

 East-South East of Adabraka is three suburbs collectively known as ‘The Ridge’, on account of it’s geography. Originally planned as a neighbourhood for civil servants & businessmen from Britain & Europe by the British administration in the immediate post-World War II era, this area comprises the suburbs of Ridgeway Estates, West Ridge, and East Ridge. 

West Ridge in Central Accra (January 2007)

Dissected by the busy Liberation Avenue, the area is populated by several major embassies, including those of Germany & the United Kingdom. In addition, several of Accra’s upmarket hotels, and several Ghanaian administrative offices are based there. Ridge Hospital, the main hospital in Accra, is located on Castle Road, a busy road that extends from Adabraka, to Osu.

  Osu

The bustling district of Osu, also known as Christianborg courtesy of it's origins as a Danish settlement, is certainly the retail & entertainment heart of central Accra.

'Oxford Street' in Osu (January 2007)

Using the rough demarcation of Ring Road East as it's eastern & northern border, and Salem Road as it's western border, Osu is highly popular with westerners & locals alike.

Without any question, Osu's major thoroughfare is Cantonments Road, which has also been christened 'Oxford Street', as it is seen as Ghana's equivalent to this famous English street.

Branching off of Salem Road South, and extending to Danquah Circle on the juncture with Ring Road East and beyond, 'Oxford Street' is loaded with restaurant options to cater for most budgets.

Popular choices for diners that are immediately located on 'Oxford Street' include Frankies Restaurant & Hotel, Dynasty Restaurant, Steers, and Papaye.