Below I provide some tips from my experiences living and working in Ghana. 

Getting a Visa for Ghana

ECOWAS citizens aside, most people need a visa to visit. 
  • Getting a Visa in the USA: If you mail your application to Ghana's embassy in Washington DC expect to wait 2-3 weeks to get your visa. I usually mail my materials using USPS. A multiple-entry visa is good for 1 year. In my experience, the embassy does not pick up the phone. 
  • Getting a Visa in the UK: If you are in London, the High Commission is easy to find. Get off the Tube at Archway and walk up the hill.  They give you a slip that tells you what day to come back to pick up your visa. 

Where to stay in Accra

Short-term accommodation in Accra can be expensive. Accommodation ranges from western-style luxury hotels to basic dorm rooms. Increasingly, good accommodation is also being advertised on Air BnB. 
  • Tropical Enclave Hotel: This is a pretty lodge close to Danquah circle and less expensive than any of the big name hotels. 
  • Okera Inn: A brand new inn situated at the side of Osu that is closer to the government offices and parliament. 
  • Agoo Hostel: A new hostel that offers clean and bright dorm rooms. 
  • Movenpick Hotel: This is the fanciest hotel in Accra. It's situated by the government offices and close to the parliament. It has a very nice swimming pool. 

Where to eat in Accra

Ghanaian food is fresh and delicious! Although you will find plenty of non-Ghanaian options, here are some places that use local products. 
  • Asanka Locals: This chop-bar claims to be the best in Ghana and it's certainly always tasty. The staff are really friendly and there are always lots of options. If you go on Sunday you can get peanut soup with rice balls (a Sunday tradition). Map. 
  • Assase Pa Vegetarian: Delicious and nutritious local vegetarian food. The restaurant is tucked away, but head to the Kwame Nkrumah park and then to the tro-tro station to the right of it and it's at the back. Map. 
  • Maquis Tante Marie: Upscale West African food. There are branches at Labone and at the Accra Mall. Great palava sauce (spinach stew). 
  • Auntie Muni's: Waakye (rice and beans, served with a black chilli sauce) is a staple and Auntie Muni's waakye joint is an institution. This is an open cafe on the side of the road in Cantonments (no physical building) and only operates on the weekends. Map. 
  • Mango and Wheat: A new cafe that offers good sandwiches, cakes and healthy drinks. 
  • NourishLab Smoothys: Another great place for salads and smoothies. It's also a nice place to work on your laptop. Map. 
  • Cuppa Cappuccino: The most delicious tropical fruit smoothies. They also serve sandwiches, rice, chicken etc. Map.  

What to do in Accra
  • Fabric: West African fabric is not only beautiful, but it's very comfortable too. To buy fabric head to Makola market in Accra. Alternatively go to a Woodin (Osu and Accra Mall) or Da Viva store. 
  • Beach: In the city you can go to Labadi (entry fee during the weekend) or La Tawala beach. To swim in the sea take the tro-tro or a taxi to Bojo beach or Kokrobite. 
  • Music concerts: For great live jazz visit +233 bar. Lots of live music concerts also take place at the Alliance Francaise. 
  • Drama and dance productions: See the current listings at the National Theatre. 
  • Movie: There is a movie theatre in Accra Mall that shows both local and international films. 
  • Swim: Most hotels in Accra with pools will let you pay for a day pass to use the pool. A cheaper option is to use the pool at the University of Ghana. 
  • Yoga: There are a couple of nice yoga studios. One is Bliss Yoga located inside the Movenpick hotel. The other is Accra Shala Yoga close to Accra Mall. 
  • Learn Twi: If you want to learn Twi, lessons are offered at the Goethe Institute.  

Where to buy souvenirs in Accra
  • Global Mamas: A fair-trade shop in the heart of Osu (near to Koala supermarket). Lots of handmade clothes, bags, soaps and jewellery made by women who get to earn a decent wage through the mamas program. 
  • Wild Geeko: A furniture and crafts shop with pretty jewellery and nice wooden items. If you head from Accra Mall out towards Legon, there is a sign to Wild Geeko on the left.