View source for Accra

{{short description|Capital and the largest city of Ghana}}
{{About||the genus of moth|Accra (genus)|the Philippine law firm|Edgardo Angara#Early life and career {{!}} ACCRA|the suburb of Jerusalem that goes by almost the same name|Acra (fortress)|the Turkish capital, which shares the same name as Accra in the Dagbani language|Ankara}}
{{Use Ghanaian English|date=January 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
 | name                     = Accra
 | native_name            = {{ubl|{{nativename|gaa|Ga}}|{{nativename|tw|Nkran}}|{{nativename|ee|Gɛ}}}}
 | settlement_type          = [[Capital city]] and [[metropolis]]
 | image_skyline            = {{multiple image
 | border      = infobox
 | total_width = 280
 | perrow      = 1/2/3/2/2
 | caption_align = center
 | image1      = Acca.jpg
 | caption1    = Accra central skyline
 | image2      = Ghana 54th Pic001 B003.jpg
 | caption2    = Schoolchildren celebrating [[Independence Day (Ghana)|Ghana's Independence Day]] at [[Black Star Square]]
 | image3      = National Theatre.jpg
 | caption3    = [[National Theatre of Ghana|National Theatre]]
 | image4      = Ghana Meetings (10036523405).jpg
 | caption4    = [[University of Ghana]] Great Hall
 | image5      = King Tackie Tawia I.jpg
 | caption5    = King Tackie Tawia I statue
 | image6      = Jamestown Lighthouse (Accra, Ghana 2017).jpg
 | caption6    = [[Jamestown Lighthouse]]
 | image7      = The Octagon, Accra .jpg
 | caption7    = [[The Octagon, Accra|The Octagon]]
 | image8      = Airport City, Greater Accra Street.jpg
 | caption8    = [[West Ridge, Accra|West Ridge]]
 | image9      = Labadi beach - Ghana , Accra sept 09 - panoramio.jpg
 | caption9    = [[Labadi Beach]]
 | image10     = General Post Office, Central Accra, Ghana.jpg
 | caption10   = General Post Office
}}
 | image_flag               = Flag of Accra.svg
 | image_seal               = 
 | coordinates              = {{coord|5|33|N|0|12|W|region:GH|display=inline,title}}
 | pushpin_map              = Ghana#Africa
 | pushpin_relief           = 1
 | pushpin_label_position   = left
 | subdivision_type         = Country
 | subdivision_name         = {{flag|Ghana}}
 | subdivision_type2        = [[Regions of Ghana|Region]]
 | subdivision_name2        = [[Greater Accra Region]]
 | subdivision_type3        = [[Districts of Ghana|Districts]]
 | subdivision_name3        = {{collapsible list
  | titlestyle = background:transparent;text-align:left;font-weight:normal;
  | title   =13 districts
  |[[Accra Metropolis District|Accra Metropolitan District]], [[La Dade Kotopon Municipal District]], [[Ledzokuku-Krowor Municipal District|Ledzekuku Municipal District]], [[Krowor Municipal District]], [[Okaikwei North Municipal District]], [[Ablekuma North Municipal District]], [[Ablekuma Central Municipal District]], [[Ablekuma West Municipal District]], [[Ayawaso East Municipal District]], [[Ayawaso North Municipal District]], [[Ayawaso Central Municipal District]], [[Ayawaso West Municipal District]], [[Korle Klottey Municipal District]]}}
 | established_title        = Settled
 | established_date         = 15th century
 | established_title2       = 
 | established_date2        = 
 | government_type          = 
 | leader_title             = Mayor
 | leader_name              = [[Elizabeth K. T. Sackey]]
 | area_footnotes           = <ref name=2021_census>{{cite web |url=https://statsghana.gov.gh/gssmain/fileUpload/pressrelease/2021%20PHC%20General%20Report%20Vol%203A_Population%20of%20Regions%20and%20Districts_181121.pdf |title=Ghana 2021 Population and Housing Census&nbsp;– General Report Volume 3A&nbsp;– Population of Regions and Districts|access-date=29 August 2022 |publisher=[[Ghana Statistical Service]]|page=80 (95)}}</ref>
 | total_type               = Accra Metropolitan
 | area_total_km2           = 20.4
 | area_urban_km2           = 199.4
 | area_metro_km2           = 3245
 | elevation_ft             = 200
 | elevation_m              = 61
 | population_as_of         = 2021 census
 | population_note          = 
 | population_footnotes     = <ref name=2021_census />
 | population_total         = 284124
 | population_urban         = 1782150
 | population_metro         = 5455692
 | population_density_km2   = auto
 | population_density_urban_km2 = auto
 | population_density_metro_km2 = auto
 | population_demonym       = Accran
 | timezone                 = [[Greenwich Mean Time|GMT]]
 | utc_offset               = +00:00
 | postal_code_type         = [[Postal codes in Ghana|Postcode districts]]
 | postal_code              = GA, GL, GZ
 | area_code                = [[Telephone numbers in Ghana|030]]
 | website                  = {{URL|https://ama.gov.gh/}}
 | official_name            = 
}}

'''Accra''' ({{IPAc-en|ə|ˈ|k|r|ɑː}}; {{langx|gaa|Ga}} or ''Gaga''; {{langx|tw|Nkran}}; Ewe: Gɛ; {{langx|dag|Ankara}}) is the capital and largest city of [[Ghana]], located on the southern coast at the [[Gulf of Guinea]], which is part of the [[Atlantic Ocean]].<ref name=":6">{{cite web |title=Walking You Through Accra's Beautiful Attractions |url=https://peacefmonline.com/pages/comment/features/202201/459694.php |date=31 Jan 2022 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220131223043/https://peacefmonline.com/pages/comment/features/202201/459694.php |archive-date=31 January 2022 |access-date=31 January 2022 |website=Peace FM Online }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Amponsah |first1=Owusu |last2=Takyi |first2=Stephen Appiah |date=2023-01-31 |title=Accra is congested, but relocating Ghana's capital is not the only option |url=http://theconversation.com/accra-is-congested-but-relocating-ghanas-capital-is-not-the-only-option-198179 |access-date=2023-08-18 |website=The Conversation |language=en}}</ref> As of 2021 census, the [[Accra Metropolitan District]], {{cvt|20.4|km2}}, had a population of 284,124, and the larger [[Greater Accra Region]], {{cvt|3245|km2}}, had a population of 5.46 million.<ref name=2021_census /> In common usage, the name "Accra" often refers to the territory of the [[Accra Metropolitan District]] as it existed before 2008, when it covered {{cvt|199.4|km2}}.<ref name="land_area">Sum of the land areas of [[Accra Metropolitan District]], [[Ablekuma Central Municipal District]], [[Ablekuma North Municipal District]], [[Ablekuma West Municipal District]], [[Ayawaso Central Municipal District]], [[Ayawaso East Municipal District]], [[Ayawaso North Municipal District]], [[Ayawaso West Municipal District]], [[Korle Klottey Municipal District]], [[Krowor Municipal District]], [[La Dade Kotopon Municipal District|La Dadekotopon Municipal District]], [[Ledzokuku Municipal District]], and [[Okaikwei North Municipal District|Okaikoi North Municipal District]], as per the 2021 census, page 80: [https://statsghana.gov.gh/gssmain/fileUpload/pressrelease/2021%20PHC%20General%20Report%20Vol%203A_Population%20of%20Regions%20and%20Districts_181121.pdf].</ref> This territory has since been split into 13 [[Districts of Ghana|local government districts]]: 12 independent [[Districts of Ghana|municipal districts]] (total area: 179.0&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>) and the reduced Accra Metropolitan District (20.4&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>), which is the only district within the capital to be granted city status.<ref>The country's first president, Kwame Nkrumah, declared the Accra Town Council, as it was referred to at the time, a city.</ref> This territory of 199.4&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> contained 1,782,150 inhabitants at the 2021 census,<ref>Sum of the populations of [[Accra Metropolitan District]], [[Ablekuma Central Municipal District]], [[Ablekuma North Municipal District]], [[Ablekuma West Municipal District]], [[Ayawaso Central Municipal District]], [[Ayawaso East Municipal District]], [[Ayawaso North Municipal District]], [[Ayawaso West Municipal District]], [[Korle Klottey Municipal District]], [[Krowor Municipal District]], [[La Dade Kotopon Municipal District|La Dadekotopon Municipal District]], [[Ledzokuku Municipal District]], and [[Okaikwei North Municipal District|Okaikoi North Municipal District]], as per the 2021 census, page 80: [https://statsghana.gov.gh/gssmain/fileUpload/pressrelease/2021%20PHC%20General%20Report%20Vol%203A_Population%20of%20Regions%20and%20Districts_181121.pdf].</ref> and serves as the capital of Ghana, while the district under the jurisdiction of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly proper (20.4&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>) is distinguished from the rest of the capital as the "City of Accra".<ref name="aba_background-info">{{cite web |url=https://ama.gov.gh/welcome/background-info/ |title=Our Background&nbsp;– AMA |access-date=14 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180110114709/https://ama.gov.gh/welcome/background-info/ |archive-date=10 January 2018 }}</ref>

Formed from the merger of distinct settlements around British [[Fort James (Ghana)|Fort James]], Dutch [[Ussher Fort|Fort Crêvecoeur (Ussher Fort)]], and Danish [[Fort Christiansborg]] as [[Jamestown/Usshertown, Accra|Jamestown]], [[Jamestown/Usshertown, Accra|Usshertown]], and [[Osu, Accra|Christiansborg]] respectively, Accra served as the capital of the British [[Gold Coast (British colony)|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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://articles.ghanagrio.com/articles/ghana-articles/3159-accra.html |title=Accra&nbsp;— Ghana Articles |access-date=24 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160815104443/http://articles.ghanagrio.com/articles/ghana-articles/3159-accra.html |archive-date=15 August 2016 }}</ref>

Accra is the [[Greater Accra Region]]'s economic and administrative hub, and serves as the anchor of the larger [[Greater Accra Metropolitan Area]] (GAMA),<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=jii;view=text;rgn=main;idno=4750978.0016.105 |title=Environmental and Structural Inequalities in Greater Accra |access-date=22 July 2010 |journal=The Journal of the International Institute |volume=16|issue=1|date=Fall 2008|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019010846/http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=jii%3Bview%3Dtext%3Brgn%3Dmain%3Bidno%3D4750978.0016.105 |archive-date=19 October 2012}}</ref> which is inhabited by about 4&nbsp;million people, making it the [[List of metropolitan areas in Africa|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.<ref>{{cite web |title=The World According to GaWC 2020 |url=https://www.lboro.ac.uk/gawc/world2020t.html |website=GaWC&nbsp;– Research Network |publisher=Globalization and World Cities |access-date=31 August 2020 |archive-date=24 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200824031341/https://www.lboro.ac.uk/gawc/world2020t.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Etymology ==
The word ''Accra'' is derived from the [[Akan language|Akan]] word ''Nkran'' meaning "ants", a reference to the numerous anthills seen in the countryside around Accra.<ref>{{Cite book |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gmqTBQAAQBAJ&q=accra+nkran&pg=PT23 |title=KWAME, THE LAST SLAVE FROM WEST AFRICA |last=Akuamoa |first=Geoffrey |publisher=Lulu.com |isbn=978-1-291-35746-2 |language=en |chapter=The Gas |date=18 March 2013 |access-date=24 October 2020 |archive-date=17 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220217062306/https://books.google.com/books?id=gmqTBQAAQBAJ&q=accra+nkran&pg=PT23 |url-status=live }}{{self-published source|date=February 2020}}</ref>{{self-published inline|date=February 2020}} The name specifically refers to [[Army ant|soldier ants]], and was applied to both the town and people by the [[Twi]] speakers.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qv-AjAHjud8C&q=accra+etymology&pg=PA6 |title=Making the Town: Ga State and Society in Early Colonial Accra |last=Parker |first=John |date=1 January 2000 |publisher=ABC-CLIO, LLC |isbn=978-0-325-00190-6 |page=6 |language=en |access-date=24 October 2020 |archive-date=17 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220217062306/https://books.google.com/books?id=qv-AjAHjud8C&q=accra+etymology&pg=PA6 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HeibAAAAQBAJ&q=accra+nkran&pg=PA12 |title=Views of Africa |date=1 April 2012 |publisher=Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. |isbn=978-1-61535-571-6 |page=12 |language=en |access-date=24 October 2020 |archive-date=17 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220217062306/https://books.google.com/books?id=HeibAAAAQBAJ&q=accra+nkran&pg=PA12 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The name of Accra in the local [[Ga language]] is ''Ga'' or ''Gaga'', the same name as that of the [[Ga-Adangbe people|Ga people]] and a [[cognate]] with ''Nkran''. The word is sometimes rendered with the nasalised vowels as ''Gã'' or ''Gãgã''. Historian [[Carl Christian Reindorf]] confirmed this etymology, proposing a link between the martial qualities and migratory behaviour of the local ants and those of the Ga people. The link between the [[ethnonym]] and ants was explicitly reflected in the recognition of anthills as sacred places. Often ringed by sacred fences (''aklabatsa''), the tall red mounds dotting Accra's hinterland were seen as microcosms of human community and as nodal points between the known world and the world of the dead.<ref name=":0" />

The Gas used the reference to the invasive species of dark-red swarming ants to connote the military prowess of the Gas and their ancient conquest of [[Guang languages|Guang]] speakers residing in the Accra Plains.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6ZB2CgAAQBAJ&q=accra+nkran&pg=PA30 |title=Gold Coast Diasporas: Identity, Culture, and Power |last=Rucker |first=Walter C. |date=28 September 2015 |publisher=Indiana University Press |isbn=978-0-253-01701-7 |page=30 |language=en |access-date=24 October 2020 |archive-date=17 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220217062314/https://books.google.com/books?id=6ZB2CgAAQBAJ&q=accra+nkran&pg=PA30 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The name ''Ga'' is actually a cognate of the name ''Akan'', one of a few words in which {{IPA|[g]}} corresponds to {{IPA|[k]}} in Akan.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=erLnCwAAQBAJ&q=accra+akra&pg=PA113 |title=Korle Meets the Sea: A Sociolinguistic History of Accra |last=Dakubu |first=Mary Esther Kropp |date=1 January 1997 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-506061-4 |page=113 |language=en |access-date=24 October 2020 |archive-date=17 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220217062409/https://books.google.com/books?id=erLnCwAAQBAJ&q=accra+akra&pg=PA113 |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Ga'' also gave its name to the [[Greater Accra Region#Districts|Ga districts]] surrounding Accra.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PEQgnFtkxmMC&q=accra+nkran&pg=PA4 |title=The City of Accra&nbsp;– A Pictorial Visit |last=Ntiamoah |first=Eric Maclean |date=1 January 2008 |publisher=AuthorHouse |isbn=978-1-4343-5860-8 |page=4 |language=en |access-date=24 October 2020 |archive-date=17 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220217062410/https://books.google.com/books?id=PEQgnFtkxmMC&q=accra+nkran&pg=PA4 |url-status=live }}{{self-published source|date=February 2020}}</ref>{{self-published inline|date=February 2020}}

The spelling ''Accra'' was given to ''Nkran'' by [[Europeans]].<ref name=":1" /> An earlier spelling used by the [[Danish colonial empire|Danes]] was ''Akra.''<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tVJuQbQ0UgwC&q=accra+akra&pg=PA89 |title=The Spiritual in the Secular: Missionaries and Knowledge about Africa |last1=Harries |first1=Patrick |last2=Maxwell |first2=David |date=20 July 2012 |publisher=Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing |isbn=978-0-8028-6634-9 |page=73 |language=en |access-date=24 October 2020 |archive-date=17 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220217062410/https://books.google.com/books?id=tVJuQbQ0UgwC&q=accra+akra&pg=PA89 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zjD5z4Qan6sC&q=accra+akra&pg=PA86 |title=The Recovery of the West African Past: African Pastors and African History in the Nineteenth Century : C.C. Reindorf & Samuel Johnson: Papers from an International Seminar Held in Basel, Switzerland, 25–28th October 1995 to Celebrate the Centenary of the Publication of C.C. Reindorf's History of the Gold Coast and Asante |last=Jenkins |first=Paul |date=1 January 1998 |publisher=Basler Afrika Bibliographien |isbn=978-3-905141-70-2 |page=86 |language=en |access-date=24 October 2020 |archive-date=17 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220217062413/https://books.google.com/books?id=zjD5z4Qan6sC&q=accra+akra&pg=PA86 |url-status=live }}</ref>

== History ==
{{For timeline}}

[[File:Christiansborg Castle2.jpg|thumb|left|A contemporary drawing of the [[Danish overseas colonies|Danish empire]] fort, ''Fort Christiansborg'', now Osu Castle. The outpost to the right is ''Fort Prøvestenen''.]]

===Accra Kingdom===
The main [[Ga people|Ga]] group known as the Tumgwa Were led by Ayi Kushie arrived by sea. Due to the large number of the Ga immigrants, the indigenous Lartehs relocated to the [[Larteh Akuapem|Akuapem]] ridge.{{fact|date=December 2024}} By the late 15th century, the kingdom of Accra ruled the area from the capital at [[Ayawaso West|Ayawaso]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Accra |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Accra#ref167186 |website=Encyclopedia Britannica |access-date=21 April 2025}}</ref>

Initially, Accra was not the most prominent trading centre; the trading hubs were the ports at [[Ada, Ghana|Ada]] and [[Prampram]], along with the inland centres of [[Dodowa]] and [[Akuse]].<ref name = Traveltill>{{Cite web |title=Accra History, History of Accra, Accra City Information :: Traveltill.com |url=https://traveltill.com/destination/Ghana/Accra/history.php |access-date=2025-01-01 |website=Traveltill}}</ref> An early Portuguese fort was destroyed by the local inhabitants in 1576; trader afterwards was conducted on the beaches.{{sfn|Wilks|1957|p=30}} The Dutch later built the nearby [[Ussher Fort|Fort Crèvecœur]] while the British and the Swedes built James Fort and Christiansborg castles, respectively, in the mid-17th century.<ref>{{cite book|editor1=[[Kwame Anthony Appiah]] |editor2= [[Henry Louis Gates]] |title=Africana: The Encyclopedia of the African and African American Experience|year=2005|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-517055-9 |edition=2nd |chapter=Accra |page= 18 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=TMZMAgAAQBAJ}}</ref>

By 1646 the kingdom was a regional power, bolstered by European trade. Nevertheless, it depended on the goodwill of the rising [[Akwamu Kingdom]], which controlled the trade routes in the interior. A dispute in 1646 escalated to war when Accra invaded Larteh.{{sfn|Wilks|1957|p=30}} At the same time, Accra was weakened by a civil war.{{sfn|Wilks|1957|p=32}}

===Akwamu===
In 1677 [[Akwamuhene]] Ansa Sasraku, using the circumcision of a visiting Akwamu prince as pretext, attacked Accra. He sacked Ayawaso and beheaded the king, [[Okai Koi]].{{sfn|Wilks|1957|p=32}} The king's son, [[Ofori (king)|Ofori]], retreated to 'Small Accra', the town that had grown up under the walls of [[Ussher Fort|Fort Crèvecœur]].{{sfn|Wilks|1957|p=33}} Ansa Sasraku's attempts to finish off the Accrans were defeated by the guns of the Danish Fort Christianborg.{{sfn|Wilks|1957|p=34}} Ofori and his people survived for a few years, until the Akwamu fomented a rebellion amongst the Danish garrison, and the fort was turned over to the Portuguese. Ansa Sasraku returned in 1681, burning Osu town and Small Accra and chasing Ofori to exile in [[Fetu Kingdom|Fetu]].{{sfn|Wilks|1957|p=36}} As Akwamu continued to expand, strips of land east and west were added to the Accra province.{{sfn|Wilks|1957|p=44}} When Akwamu was defeated by the [[Akyem]] in 1730, however, Accra regained its independence.

===British power increases===
Britain gradually acquired the interests of all other countries beginning in 1851, when Denmark sold [[Fort Christiansborg|Christiansborg]] (which they had acquired from the Swedes) and their other forts to the British. The [[Netherlands]] was the last to sell out, in 1871. In 1873, after decades of tension between the British and [[Ashanti people|Ashantis]], the British captured [[Kumasi]], destroying portions of the city. The British then captured Accra in 1874, and in 1877, at the end of the second [[Anglo-Asante Wars|Anglo-Asante War]], Accra replaced [[Cape Coast]] as the capital of the British [[Gold Coast (British colony)|Gold Coast]]. This decision was made because Accra had a drier climate relative to Cape Coast. Until this time, the settlement of Accra was confined between Ussher Fort to the east and the [[Korle Lagoon]] to the west.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.africanexecutive.com/modules/magazine/articles.php?article=994 |title=History of Accra |access-date=22 July 2010 |publisher=The African Executive |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707101722/http://www.africanexecutive.com/modules/magazine/articles.php?article=994 |archive-date=7 July 2011}}</ref>

As the newly established Gold Coast's administrative functions were moved to Accra (1877), an influx of British colonial administrators and European settlers grew around the Christiansborg (modern [[Osu, Accra|Osu]], Ministries, Ridge, Labone, and Cantonments) began, and the city began to expand to accommodate the new residents. Victoriaborg was formed in the late 19th century as an exclusively European residential neighbourhood, located to the east of the city limits of the time. The boundaries of Accra were further stretched in 1908, after a bubonic plague epidemic.<ref name=":7">{{Cite book |last=Roberts |first=Jonathan |title=Sharing the Burden of Sickness |date=2021-11-09 |publisher=Indiana University Press |isbn=978-0-253-05791-4 |page=146|doi=10.2307/j.ctv21hrjnx }}</ref> This expansion entailed the creation of a native-only neighbourhood, intended to accommodate members of the native population as a means of relieving congestion problems in the overcrowded city centre. [[Adabraka]] was thus established to the north of the city.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.macalester.edu/courses/geog261/eskidmore/history.htm |title=History of Accra |access-date=17 February 2011 |archive-date=31 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531013544/http://www.macalester.edu/courses/geog261/eskidmore/history.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:HauptstraßeAccra18851908 300dpi.jpg|thumb|right|A main street of central Accra sometime between 1885 and 1908]]

One of the most influential decisions in the history of the city was that of building the Accra-Kumasi railway in 1908. This was to connect Accra, the country's foremost port at that time, with Ghana's main [[cocoa bean|cocoa]]-producing regions. In 1923, the railway was completed, and by 1924, cocoa was Ghana's largest export.{{citation needed|date=March 2024}}

The colonial era heavily influenced the shape that Accra took during this period. For example, the [[racial segregation|segregation]] of European and African neighbourhoods was mandated by law until 1923, and all new buildings were required to be built out of stone or concrete.{{citation needed|date=March 2024}} Despite these regulations, European settlers in the Gold Coast were very hesitant to invest any large amount of money into the city to maintain its infrastructure or improve public works. This did not change until the governorship of [[Gordon Guggisberg|Sir Frederick Gordon Guggisberg]] during which period the three separate settlements (Osu, La and Jamestown) merged to become modern Accra. Guggisberg's administration laid out the present grid networked neighbourhoods of Tudu, Adabraka and Asylum Down.{{citation needed|date=March 2024}}

Among the achievements of Guggisberg was the building of a bridge across the Korle Lagoon in 1923, which increased settlement at Korle Bu, Korle Gonno and Chokor, to the west of the lagoon. Guggisberg also oversaw the building of a major hospital (Korle-Bu) and secondary school (Achimota).<ref name=":7" /> Such improvements led to an increase in Accra's population due to the [[rural-urban migration|migration of rural dwellers]] into the city, and the immigration of increasing numbers of British businessmen and administrators.{{citation needed|date=March 2024}}

=== After World War II ===
[[File:Jamestown lighthouse.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Jamestown Lighthouse]] in [[Jamestown/Usshertown, Accra|Jamestown/Usshertown]]]]
In the years following [[World War II]], the neighbourhoods of Ridge and Cantonments were planned as low-density developments for Europeans, while many rural migrants settled in neighbourhoods which had not yet been incorporated into Accra's municipal boundary, such as Nima and surrounding areas.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}} Thus, the development of these neighbourhoods was unregulated by the government, creating a crowded and jumbled [[shanty-town]] landscape.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}}

Another area of Accra that took shape at this time was the central business district (CBD). More administrative buildings were built on High Street, forming a massive judicial/administrative complex. Additionally, the expansion of the economy led to many more commercial buildings being built in the CBD.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}}

In 1944, Accra's city planner Maxwell Fry devised a town plan, which was revised in 1958 by B.D.W. Treavallion and Alan Flood. Although the Fry/Trevallion plan was never followed through, it illustrated the British vision of how Accra should develop.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}}

In 1948, Ghana remained a colony of Great Britain following World War II. The chief of Osu Alata, Nii Kobina Bonney III, had set up a boycott of European goods across the country due to the rise of prices for essential commodities.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Nyadzi |first1=Ralph |title=The Causes and Effects of the 1948 Accra Riots in Ghana |url=https://www.cegastacademy.com/2019/04/22/the-causes-and-effects-of-the-1948-accra-riots-in-ghana/ |website=Cegast Academy |date=22 April 2019 |access-date=2 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230508095747/https://www.cegastacademy.com/2019/04/22/the-causes-and-effects-of-the-1948-accra-riots-in-ghana/ |archive-date=8 May 2023 |url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref> At the same time, veterans of the war were fighting for their benefits and promised pay.<ref>{{cite web |last1=PRAAD |title=The Riots of 28th February 1948 |url=https://praad.gov.gh/index.php/the-riots-of-28th-february-1948/ |website=Public Records and Archives AdministrationDepartment |publisher=Marichael Company Limited |access-date=2 October 2023}}</ref> Unarmed ex-servicemen organized a march on [[Christiansborg Castle]], Accra, on 28 February 1948. Their plan was to hand a petition to the colonial governor demanding they receive their pay and benefits. Before reaching the castle, the veterans were fired upon, after being ordered by the colonial police chief to disperse. Three of the leaders of the demonstration were killed, including [[Sergeant Nii Adjetey]], who now has a memorial in Accra,{{citation needed|date=December 2023}} leading to the [[1948 Accra riots]].

==== Fry/Treavallion plan ====
{{Unreferenced section|date=December 2023}}
In the Fry/Treavallion plan, a reorganization of the CBD was called for, as well as the development of the coastal region of the city. To reorganize the CBD, the planners decided to superimpose a tight street grid north of Fort Ussher.

To the east of this newly organized CBD, the planners hoped to preserve a broad, open space for a restaurant, country club, and [[polo]] and [[cricket]] fields. Additionally, the British planners intended to build large numbers of public squares, fountains, and ornamental pools and statues throughout the city, as well as a vast Parliament Complex in the city centre. Lastly, the Fry/Treavallion plan included plans to make the coastal region an extension of the exclusive European neighbourhood of Victoriaborg, and to create a recreational preserve for the elite. However, the [[1948 Accra riots|British Gold Coast ended]] before the Fry/Treavallion plan was enacted.

==== Nkrumah Plan ====
[[File:Kamala Harris in Ghana 01.jpg|thumb|Black Star Square]]
After [[Kwame Nkrumah]] became Ghana's first [[Prime Minister of Ghana|Prime Minister]] in 1957, he created his own plan for Accra's development.<ref>Roman Adrian Cybriwsky, ''Capital Cities around the World: An Encyclopedia of Geography, History, and Culture'', ABC-CLIO, USA, 2013, p. 5.</ref> Nkrumah proposed creating spaces to inspire pride and nationalism in his people and people throughout Africa.{{citation needed|date=March 2024}}

Rather than creating ornamental fountains and a large Parliament complex, Nkrumah decided to build landmarks such as Independence Square, the State House, and the Organisation of African Unity building, and to refurbish Christianborg Castle. Nkrumah decided to leave the Atlantic coastal region undeveloped so as to not detract attention from the Community Centre or Independence Square, lending both spaces symbolic significance.{{citation needed|date=March 2024}} The Nkrumah plan did not emphasize order nearly as much as the Fry/Treavallion plan did; whereas the British plan strove to lessen crowding in the commercial district and help relieve the overcrowding of neighbourhoods bordering the CBD, the Nkrumah plan allowed for continued compression of commercial establishments into the CBD, as well as increased migration into Jamestown.{{citation needed|date=March 2024}}

The modern city is centered on the original British, Danish, and Dutch forts and their surrounding communities: [[Jamestown, Ghana|Jamestown]] near the British [[Fort James, Ghana|James Fort]], [[Osu, Accra|Osu]] near the Danish fort of [[Fort Christiansborg|Christiansborg]] (now [[Osu Castle]]), and [[Jamestown/Usshertown, Accra|Ussherstown]] near the Dutch [[Ussher fort]].{{citation needed|date=July 2025}}

Tourist attractions include the [[National Museum of Ghana]], the [[Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences]], the [[National Archives of Ghana]] and Ghana's central library, the [[National Theatre of Ghana|National Theatre]], the Accra Centre for National Culture, and [[Jamestown Lighthouse]].{{citation needed|date=July 2025}}

The [[Parliament of Ghana|Parliament]], [[Supreme Court of Ghana]], [[Black Star Square]] and the [[Bank of Ghana]] are also located in Accra.{{citation needed|date=July 2025}}

The city is also a transportation hub, home to the [[Kotoka International Airport]], and railway links to [[Tema]], [[Sekondi-Takoradi]] and [[Kumasi]]. Accra has become a location for national and international business conferences, such as the BarCamp Ghana series, organised by GhanaThink Foundation.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.allconferences.com/Regional/Accra/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111017232231/http://www.allconferences.com/Regional/Accra/|title=Accra Conferences|archive-date=17 October 2011}}</ref>

== Geography ==
{{climate chart
| Accra
| 22.8|30.6|15
| 23.8|31.1|33
| 24.4|31.1|56
| 24.4|31.1|81
| 23.8|30.6|142
| 23.3|28.9|178
| 23.3|27.2|46
| 21.7|26.7|15
| 22.8|27.2|36
| 23.3|29.3|64
| 23.8|30.6|36
| 23.8|31.1|23
| float=right
| clear=right
| source=BBC Weather<ref name="weather1">{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/world/city_guides/results.shtml?tt=TT000240 |title=Average Conditions Accra, Ghana |access-date=9 September 2009 |publisher=BBC Weather |date=May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061021170025/http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/world/city_guides/results.shtml?tt=TT000240 |archive-date=21 October 2006}}</ref>
}}

Owing to its location in the [[Dahomey Gap]], where the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean coast runs parallel to the prevailing moist monsoonal winds, Accra features a very marginal [[tropical wet and dry climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification]]: ''Aw'') that borders on a [[hot semi-arid climate]] (Köppen: ''BSh''). The average annual rainfall is about {{Convert|730|mm|abbr=on}}, which falls primarily during Ghana's two rainy seasons. The chief rainy season begins in April and ends in mid-July, whilst a weaker second rainy season occurs in October. Rain usually falls in brief but intense storms and causes localised flooding in which drainage channels are obstructed.{{citation needed|date=July 2025}}

Very little variation in temperature occurs throughout the year. The mean monthly temperature ranges from {{convert|25.9|°C|°F|1}} in August (the coolest) to {{convert|29.6|°C|°F|1}} in March (the hottest), with an annual average of {{convert|27.6|°C|°F|1}}. The "cooler" months, which are summer months, tend to be more [[humid]] than the warmer months, which are winter and spring months. As a result, during the warmer months and particularly during the windy [[harmattan]] season, the city experiences a breezy "dry heat" that feels less warm than the "cooler" but more humid rainy season.{{citation needed|date=July 2025}}

As a coastal city, Accra is vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and sea level rise, with population growth putting increasing pressure on the coastal areas.<ref>[http://cdkn.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/FCFA_PolicyBrief_Accra-Maputo_WEB1.pdf Using climate information to achieve long-term development objectives in coastal Ghana and Mozambique] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150318210759/http://cdkn.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/FCFA_PolicyBrief_Accra-Maputo_WEB1.pdf |date=18 March 2015 }}. [[Climate & Development Knowledge Network]]. Retrieved 16 April 2015</ref> Drainage infrastructure is particularly at risk, which has profound implications for people's livelihoods, especially in informal settlements. Inadequate planning regulation and law enforcement, as well as perceived corruption in government processes, lack of communication across government departments and lack of concern or government co-ordination with respect to building codes are major impediments to progressing the development of Accra's drainage infrastructure, according to the [[Climate & Development Knowledge Network]].<ref>[http://cdkn.org/future-climate-africa/  Future Climate for Africa] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415220758/http://cdkn.org/future-climate-africa/ |date=15 April 2015 }}. [[Climate & Development Knowledge Network]]. Retrieved 16 April 2015</ref>

As Accra is close to the [[equator]], the daylight hours are practically uniform throughout the year. Relative humidity is generally high, varying from 65% in the midafternoon to 95% at night. The predominant wind direction in Accra is from the WSW to NNE sectors. Wind speeds normally range between 8 and 16&nbsp;km/h. High wind gusts occur with [[thunderstorm]]s, which generally pass in [[squalls]] along the coast.{{citation needed|date=July 2025}}

The maximum wind speed record in Accra is {{Convert|107.4|km/h|abbr=on}}. Strong winds associated with thunderstorm activity often cause property damage by removing roofing material. Several areas of Accra experience microclimatic effects. Low-profile [[drainage basin]]s with a north–south orientation are not as well ventilated as those oriented east–west.{{citation needed|date=July 2025}}

Air is often trapped in pockets over the city, and an insulating effect can give rise to a local increase in air temperature of several degrees. This occurs most notably in the Accra Newtown sports complex areas.{{citation needed|date=July 2025}}

{{Weather box
| location = Accra ([[Accra International Airport]]) 1991–2020, extremes 1936–present
| metric first = yes
| single line = yes
| Jan record high C = 36.6
| Feb record high C = 38.0
| Mar record high C = 36.5
| Apr record high C = 38.7
| May record high C = 35.0
| Jun record high C = 33.5
| Jul record high C = 32.3
| Aug record high C = 32.8
| Sep record high C = 33.9
| Oct record high C = 34.5
| Nov record high C = 38.0
| Dec record high C = 37.5
| year record high C = 38.7
| Jan high C = 32.6
| Feb high C = 33.0
| Mar high C = 33.0
| Apr high C = 32.7
| May high C = 31.8
| Jun high C = 29.8
| Jul high C = 28.6
| Aug high C = 28.4
| Sep high C = 29.6
| Oct high C = 31.1
| Nov high C = 32.1
| Dec high C = 32.4
| year high C = 31.3
| Jan mean C = 28.5
| Feb mean C = 29.2
| Mar mean C = 29.2
| Apr mean C = 29.0
| May mean C = 28.3
| Jun mean C = 26.8
| Jul mean C = 25.9
| Aug mean C = 25.6
| Sep mean C = 26.5
| Oct mean C = 27.5
| Nov mean C = 28.3
| Dec mean C = 28.6
| year mean C = 27.8
| Jan low C = 24.5
| Feb low C = 25.4
| Mar low C = 25.4
| Apr low C = 25.3
| May low C = 24.7
| Jun low C = 23.8
| Jul low C = 23.3
| Aug low C = 22.9
| Sep low C = 23.4
| Oct low C = 23.8
| Nov low C = 24.6
| Dec low C = 24.7
| year low C = 24.3
| Jan record low C = 15.0
| Feb record low C = 16.7
| Mar record low C = 18.9
| Apr record low C = 19.4
| May record low C = 18.6
| Jun record low C = 17.8
| Jul record low C = 17.8
| Aug record low C = 17.2
| Sep record low C = 18.3
| Oct record low C = 19.4
| Nov record low C = 17.8
| Dec record low C = 16.7
| year record low C = 15.0
| precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation mm = 11.8
| Feb precipitation mm = 25.5
| Mar precipitation mm = 61.1
| Apr precipitation mm = 87.8
| May precipitation mm = 151.4
| Jun precipitation mm = 189.6
| Jul precipitation mm = 63.0
| Aug precipitation mm = 21.0
| Sep precipitation mm = 42.9
| Oct precipitation mm = 80.0
| Nov precipitation mm = 37.2
| Dec precipitation mm = 27.2
| year precipitation mm = 798.5
| unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
| Jan precipitation days = 0.8
| Feb precipitation days = 1.6
| Mar precipitation days = 4.1
| Apr precipitation days = 4.7
| May precipitation days = 8.3
| Jun precipitation days = 10.2
| Jul precipitation days = 5.4
| Aug precipitation days = 3.6
| Sep precipitation days = 5.4
| Oct precipitation days = 5.7
| Nov precipitation days = 2.8
| Dec precipitation days = 1.5
| year precipitation days = 54.1
| Jan humidity = 77
| Feb humidity = 78
| Mar humidity = 79
| Apr humidity = 80
| May humidity = 81
| Jun humidity = 85
| Jul humidity = 84
| Aug humidity = 83
| Sep humidity = 81
| Oct humidity = 82
| Nov humidity = 80
| Dec humidity = 80
| year humidity = 81
| Jan sun = 185.9
| Feb sun = 189.7
| Mar sun = 211.9
| Apr sun = 221.2
| May sun = 219.4
| Jun sun = 157.9
| Jul sun = 150.8
| Aug sun = 146.8
| Sep sun = 173.0
| Oct sun = 237.6
| Nov sun = 244.9
| Dec sun = 222.7
| year sun = 2361.8
| source 1 = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|NOAA]]<ref name=WMOCLINO>{{cite web
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230928212705/https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/1.1/data/0-data/Region-1-WMO-Normals-9120/Ghana/CSV/Accra_65472.csv
| archive-date = 28 September 2023
| url = https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/1.1/data/0-data/Region-1-WMO-Normals-9120/Ghana/CSV/Accra_65472.csv
| title = Accra Climate Normals 1991–2020
| work = World Meteorological Organization Climatological Standard Normals (1991–2020)
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
| access-date = 28 September 2023}}</ref>
| source 2 = [[Deutscher Wetterdienst]] (extremes 1936–1990, humidity 1952–1967)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dwd.de/DWD/klima/beratung/ak/ak_654720_kt.pdf |title=Klimatafel von Accra (Int. Flugh.) / Ghana |work=Baseline climate means (1961–1990) from stations all over the world |publisher=Deutscher Wetterdienst |language=de |access-date=17 October 2016 |archive-date=16 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190516155041/https://www.dwd.de/DWD/klima/beratung/ak/ak_654720_kt.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>
}}

== Administration ==
The administration of Accra occurs at two levels. Strategic initiatives, such as the urban transportation project, are coordinated between district authorities,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mlgrd.gov.gh/posts/programmes-projects/17-greater-accra-passenger-transport-executive-gapte/?plugin=219 |title=Programmes & Projects&nbsp;– MLGRD |website=mlgrd.gov.gh |access-date=22 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171022141523/http://www.mlgrd.gov.gh/posts/programmes-projects/17-greater-accra-passenger-transport-executive-gapte/?plugin=219 |archive-date=22 October 2017 }}</ref> while local administration is carried out by local government authorities, which are responsible for most local services, such as local planning, local roads and refuse collection within their area of jurisdiction.{{citation needed|date=July 2025}}

[[File:20120430160030!The National Archives UK - CO 1069-40-37.jpg|thumb|right|Aerial photograph 7 November 1929]]
The former territory of the Accra Metropolitan District, {{cvt|199.4|km2}},<ref name=land_area /> as it existed before 2008, is now divided into 13 separate local government districts, all governed as municipal assemblies with their own town hall and a municipal executive appointed by the president of the republic. Each municipal assembly is responsible for most local services, such as local planning and refuse collection. The reduced [[Accra Metropolitan District]] (also referred to as City of Accra), {{cvt|20.4|km2}}, once comprised the entirety of Accra until the Ledzokuku, Krowor, La Dadekotopon, Ablekuma North, Ablekuma Central, Ablekuma West, Ayawaso East, Ayawaso North, Ayawaso Central, Ayawaso West, Okaikwei North, and Korley Kottey districts were carved out as separate municipal districts between 2008 and 2019.{{citation needed|date=July 2025}}

=== Districts ===
'''Accra Metropolitan District (City of Accra)'''
{{Main|Accra Metropolitan District}}
The Accra Metropolitan District is one of the 13 local government districts that contains the historic centre and the primary central business district (CBD) of Accra. To promote efficiency in the administrative machinery and also meet the ever-pressing demands for amenities and essential services, the district is divided into the Ashiedu Keteke, Okaikoi South, and Ablekuma South sub-metropolitan districts.<ref>[http://www.ghanadistricts.com/districts/?news&r=1&_=3 Accra Metropolitan Assembly, Boundary and Administrative Area] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101102183607/http://www.ghanadistricts.com/districts/?news&r=1&_=3 |date=2 November 2010 }}. Retrieved 1 July 2009.</ref>

The Accra Metropolitan Assembly, which governs the City of Accra within the boundaries of the [[Accra Metropolis District|Accra Metropolitan District]], is led by a Metropolitan Chief Executive who is appointed by the [[President of Ghana|President]] of the Republic of [[Ghana]]. The [[Mayor of Accra]] is [[Mohammed Adjei Sowah]], who was appointed by President [[Nana Akufo-Addo]] and approved unanimously by the AMA on 23 March 2017.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Adjei |first1=Jonathan |title=Akufo-Addo's nominee, Adjei Sowah secures full endorsement as Accra Mayor |url=http://kasapafmonline.com/2017/03/23/akufo-addos-nominee-adjei-sowah-secures-full-endorsement-accra-mayor/ |access-date=6 August 2017 |agency=Kasapa fm online |date=23 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170806232533/http://kasapafmonline.com/2017/03/23/akufo-addos-nominee-adjei-sowah-secures-full-endorsement-accra-mayor/ |archive-date=6 August 2017 }}</ref>

The '''Ablekuma South sub-metropolitan district''' covers an area of {{convert|6|km2|mi2|abbr=on}} and is bordered by the Ablekuma Central and Ablekuma North Municipal Assemblies, and the Ashiedu Keteke sub-metropolitan district.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ama.gov.gh/sub-metro-details.php?s=Mg==|title=AMA&nbsp;– Ablekuma South|access-date=1 March 2021|archive-date=17 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210517103025/https://ama.gov.gh/sub-metro-details.php?s=Mg==|url-status=live}}</ref> It includes 5 electoral areas: Korle Gonno, Korlebu, Chorkor, Mamprobi, and New Mamprobi.{{citation needed|date=July 2025}}

Communities within the '''Okaikoi South sub-metropolitan district''' include Darkuman, New Fadama, Kaneshie, Bubiashie, and Avenor.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ama.gov.gh/sub-metro-details.php?s=NQ==|title=AMA&nbsp;– Okaikoi South|access-date=1 March 2021|archive-date=17 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210517091142/https://ama.gov.gh/sub-metro-details.php?s=NQ==|url-status=live}}</ref> The sub-metro has 8 electoral areas namely Awudome, Goten, Kaatsean, Mukose, Bubuashie, Bubui, Avenor and Kaneshie.

The '''Ashiedu Keteke sub-metropolitan district''' covers the Central Business District (CBD) and as such the hub of major commercial activities within the Metropolis. Major markets include Makola, Agbogbloshie, and Kwasiodwaso. There are 8 electoral areas namely Ngleshie, Mudor, Kinka, Nmlitsagonno, Amamomo, Korle Wonkon, and Korle Dudor.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ama.gov.gh/sub-metro-details.php?s=MQ==|title=AMA&nbsp;– Ashiedu Keteke|access-date=1 March 2021|archive-date=20 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020023602/https://ama.gov.gh/sub-metro-details.php?s=MQ==|url-status=live}}</ref>

'''Ledzekuku Municipal District'''
{{Main|Ledzokuku Municipal District}}
The Ledzekuku Municipal District, with its administrative capital at [[Teshie]], covers an estimated area of {{convert|31.3|km2|mi2|abbr=on}}.<ref name=2021_census />

'''Krowor Municipal District'''
{{Main|Krowor Municipal District}}
The Krowor Municipal District was carved out of the Ledzokuku-Krowor Municipal District in 2018. Its administrative capital is [[Nungua]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ghanadistricts.gov.gh/Home/District/249|title=Ghana Districts: A repository of all Local Assemblies in Ghana|access-date=1 March 2021|archive-date=29 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210129080759/http://ghanadistricts.gov.gh/Home/District/249|url-status=live}}</ref>

'''La Dadekotopon Municipal District'''
{{Main|La Dade Kotopon Municipal District}}
The La Dadekotopon Municipal District, with its administrative capital at La, was carved out of the Accra Metropolitan District in 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ghanadistricts.gov.gh/Home/District/113|title=Ghana Districts: A repository of all Local Assemblies in Ghana|access-date=1 March 2021|archive-date=29 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210129010658/http://ghanadistricts.gov.gh/Home/District/113|url-status=live}}</ref> The Kotoka International Airport, Airport City, Accra Mall, and the US Embassy are located within the district, which covers an area of {{convert|32|km2|mi2|abbr=on}}.<ref name=2021_census /> Other communities within this district include Cantonments, Labone, and Burma Camp.

'''Ablekuma North Municipal District'''
{{Main|Ablekuma North Municipal District}}
The Ablekuma North Municipal District was carved out of the Accra Metropolitan District in 2018 with an administrative capital at [[Darkuman|Darkuman Kokompe]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ghanadistricts.gov.gh/Home/District/241|title=Ghana Districts: A repository of all Local Assemblies in Ghana|access-date=1 March 2021|archive-date=28 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128190400/http://ghanadistricts.gov.gh/Home/District/241|url-status=live}}</ref>

'''Ablekuma Central Municipal District'''
{{Main|Ablekuma Central Municipal District}}
The Ablekuma Central Municipal District covers a total land area of {{convert|8.8|km2|mi2|abbr=on}}.<ref name=2021_census /> Its administrative capital is [[Lartebiokorshie]].

'''Ablekuma West Municipal District'''{{Main|Ablekuma West Municipal District}}
The Ablekuma West Municipal District was carved out of the Accra Metropolitan District in 2018 and its administrative capital is [[Dansoman]].<ref name=":2">{{cite web|title=Districts of Ghana|url=http://www.statoids.com/ygh.html|access-date=8 June 2018|website=statoids|archive-date=3 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150703001130/http://www.statoids.com/ygh.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

'''Ayawaso East Municipal District'''{{Main|Ayawaso East Municipal District}}
The Ayawaso East Municipal District was carved out of the Accra Metropolitan District in 2018 and its administrative capital is [[Nima, Accra|Nima]].{{citation needed|date=July 2025}}

'''Ayawaso North Municipal District'''{{Main|Ayawaso North Municipal District}}
The Ayawaso North Municipal District was carved out of the Accra Metropolitan District in 2018 and its administrative capital is [[Accra New Town|Accra Newtown]].<ref name=":2" />

'''Ayawaso Central Municipal District'''
{{Main|Ayawaso Central Municipal District}}
The Ayawaso Central Municipal District was carved out of the Accra Metropolitan District with an administrative capital being [[Kokomlemle]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://acma.gov.gh/ |title=Ayawaso Central Municipal Assembly.&nbsp;– The Ayawaso Central Municipal is one of the newly created assemblies and districts in Ghana |publisher=Acma.gov.gh |date= |access-date=17 February 2022 |archive-date=30 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211130125230/https://acma.gov.gh/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

'''Ayawaso West Municipal District'''{{Main|Ayawaso West Municipal District}}
The Ayawaso West Municipal District was carved out of the Accra Metropolitan District and its administrative capital is [[Dzorwulu]].

'''Okaikwei North Municipal District'''

'''Korley Kottey Municipal District'''

The Korley Klottey Municipal District was carved out of the Accra Metropolitan District in 2019 and covers an area of {{convert|10|km2|mi2|abbr=on}}<ref name=2021_census /> Some of the communities within the district include Osu, Ringway Estates, Asylum Down, North Ridge, West Ridge, Ministries, Gold Coast City, North Adabraka, and Tudu. There are 9 electoral areas namely Osu Doku, Ringway Estates, Kinkawe, Osu Alata, Asylum Down, North Adabraka, Tudu, Odorna/Sahara, and Official Town.{{citation needed|date=July 2025}}

== Cityscape ==
{{Main|Neighbourhoods of Accra}}

=== Accra Central ===
The Ring Road, extending from the Korle Lagoon in the west, north to Kwame Nkrumah Circle, following east to the juncture of Independence Avenue, and continuing on to [[Osu, Accra|Osu]], forms a ring around the oldest districts of Accra, and separates central Accra from the outlying suburbs.

Central Accra includes the CBD, which consists of the historic districts of [[Jamestown/Usshertown, Accra|Usshertown]], Tudu, [[Victoriaborg, Accra|Victoriaborg]], [[West Ridge, Accra|West Ridge]], and [[East Ridge, Accra|East Ridge]], as well as the historic residential districts of [[Jamestown/Usshertown, Accra|Jamestown]], [[Adabraka]], Asylum Down, [[North Ridge, Accra|North Ridge]] and [[Osu, Accra|Christiansborg/Osu]].

Although satellite business districts such as the Airport City have been established across the city, Central Accra remains the administrative and cultural centre of Accra, hosting government ministries, hotels, businesses, and financial institutions.

Central Accra's principal attractions include the [[Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum]], the [[National Museum of Ghana|National Museum]], [[Independence Arch (Accra)|Independence Square]], the [[National Theatre (Accra)|National Theatre]], and the [[Ohene Djan Stadium]].

=== Accra North ===
Northern Accra is a residential and business district. The area contains the "37" Military Hospital, [[The Flagstaff House]], several foreign [[embassy|embassies]], [[Achimota School]], Achimota Golf Park, and the [[University of Ghana]]'s Legon campus, which serves as Accra's northern boundary.

Geographically, the areas north of Ring Road West and Central, east of Winneba/Graphic Road, west of Liberation Road, and the districts just north and south of the Kwame Nkrumah motorway are regarded as Northern Accra. Some areas North of Accra include, Ashongnman, Madina, Haatso, North and West Legon and others.

=== Accra East ===
Eastern Accra is largely residential and geographically north of Ring Road East, stretching as far north as Kwame Nkrumah Motorway; the district is bordered to the west by Liberation Road.

=== Accra West ===
Western Accra is largely a residential and business area. Whilst geographically less expansive than the northern and eastern reaches of the city as a result of the large saltponds of Tettegu and Aplaku, it nonetheless boasts one of Accra's most important landmarks, the [[Korle Bu Teaching Hospital]].

Geographically, the areas west of Ring Road West, extending as far west as the saltponds and south of Graphic Road, are considered Accra West.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ghanadistricts.com/districts/?r=1&_=3&rlv=climate |title=A repository of all districts in the republic of Ghana |publisher=Ghana Districts |access-date=5 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711091832/http://ghanadistricts.com/districts/?r=1&_=3&rlv=climate |archive-date=11 July 2011}}</ref>

== Demographics ==
The period between 1960 and 1970 saw rapid industrialization and expansion in Accra's manufacturing and commercial sectors. This contributed to high [[rural-urban migration]] to the city, and consequently a high population growth rate.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ghanadistricts.com/districts/?r=1&_=3&sa=3004 |title=A repository of all districts in the republic of Ghana |publisher=Ghana Districts |access-date=5 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711091853/http://ghanadistricts.com/districts/?r=1&_=3&sa=3004 |archive-date=11 July 2011}}</ref> The stagnation of the Ghanaian economy during the 1970s slowed the growth of Accra's population, as shown by the falling growth rate of the 1970–1984 intercensal years. Later, however, the decline in agriculture in rural communities in Ghana and rising industrialization in urban regions, coupled with the late-1980s boom in the [[service sector]], once again propelled immigration to Accra. The primacy of the Accra Metropolitan Area as the Greater Accra region's administrative, educational, industrial and commercial centre continues to be the major force for its population growth, with immigration contributing to over 35% of the Accra's population growth.

=== Distribution and density ===
{{Unreferenced section|date=December 2023}}
The gross density of population for the Accra Metropolitan Area in 2000 was 10.03 persons per hectare, compared to 6.23 per hectare in 1970. The highest densities were recorded in the [[Accra Metropolitan Assembly]], with an overall average of 69.3 persons per hectare. At the community level, densities exceeding 250 persons per hectare occurred mostly in the immigrant and depressed areas in the oldest parts of Accra, such as Accra New Town, Nima, Jamestown and Usshertown. In higher-income areas, densities ranged between 17.5 and 40 persons per hectare.

=== Population distribution by age and gender ===
Accra's population is a very youthful one, with 56% of the population being under 24 years of age. This predominance of young people is not expected to decline in the foreseeable future. Fifty-one percent (51%) of the population are females, and the remaining 49% males. This gives a males-to-females ratio of 1:1.04. The greater number of females is a reflection of the nationwide trend, where the estimated ratio of males to females is 1:1.03.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Mba|first=Chuks J.|date=29 September 2010|title=Population Ageing in Ghana: Research Gaps and the Way Forward|journal=Journal of Aging Research|volume=2010|article-number=672157|doi=10.4061/2010/672157 |doi-access=free|issn=2090-2204|pmc=3003962|pmid=21188229}}</ref>

=== Migration ===
Decentralization is expected to reduce the migration rates in Accra. An assessment of the extent of migration to Accra, based on present locality and gender, reveals that 45% of residents in Accra are African immigrants from countries across the African continent.

=== Housing ===
{{unreferenced section|date=March 2024}}
Parts of Central Accra comprise a mixture of very low-density development with under-used service infrastructure on the one hand, high-density development and overstretched infrastructure services on the other. The growth of Accra has led to the neglect of some of the old settlements, whilst efforts are being made to provide the newly developing suburban areas with services and infrastructure to cater for the needs of the middle-income earners. Peripheral residential development in Accra barely has sufficient infrastructure to support it. There are also large numbers of uncompleted houses, interspersed with pockets of undeveloped land, which are often subject of litigation, due to the inability of organisations and individuals who own them to complete or develop them due to lack of funds. Housing can be grouped into three broad categories: the low-income, middle-income and high-income areas. The low-income housing areas comprise Osu, Jamestown, Adedenkpo, Chorkor, La, Teshie, Nungua, Sukura, Kwashieman, Odorkor, Bubiashie, Abeka, Nima, Maamobi and Chorkor. Altogether, these areas accommodate about 58% of Accra's total population. Most of Accra's informal businesses are located in low-income areas.

Almost all low-income areas are built up with little room for expansion. This is particularly so in the areas of the inner city. The middle-income areas of Accra are predominantly populated by Ghanaian citizens and business, administrative and professional families. Much of the housing in these areas has been provided by state, parastatal and [[private sector]] organisations and individuals. The middle-income areas include Dansoman Estates, North Kaneshie Estates, Asylum Down, Kanda Estates, Abelempke, Achimota, Adenta and Tesano. Usually, these areas, unlike the low-income areas, are planned developments, but are in need of infrastructure services. Building materials and general housing conditions are of better quality. The middle-income group comprises 32% of the city's population of which are Ghanaian citizens make up. The high-income areas provide housing for the remaining 10% of the population of which Ghanaian citizens also make up. They include areas like North Ridge and West Ridge, Ringway Estates, north Labone Estates, Airport Residential Area, Roman Ridge, East Legon.

These areas are all planned and have well-developed infrastructure with spacious and landscaped ground in sharp contrast with, particularly, the low-income areas. Buildings are usually built with [[sandcrete]] blocks, and have walls and roofed with aluminium, or [[asbestos]] roofing sheets. There are also high-income peripheral areas like Haatso, Kwabenya, Pokuase, Adenta, Taifa, Mallam, where development of engineering infrastructure is not yet complete. These areas developed ahead of infrastructure, however the Achimota-Ofankor [[controlled-access highway]] was scheduled to open in May 2012,{{Update inline|date=December 2014}}<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.modernghana.com/news/383369/achimota-ofankor-road-to-open-to-traffic-in-may.html |title=Achimota-Ofankor Road To Open To Traffic in May |work=graphic.com.gh |publisher=[[Daily Graphic (Ghana)|Daily Graphic]] |date=14 March 2012 |access-date=22 April 2016 |via=Modern Ghana |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160512234613/https://www.modernghana.com/news/383369/achimota-ofankor-road-to-open-to-traffic-in-may.html |archive-date=12 May 2016  }}and the Awoshie-Pokuase</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.afdb.org/fileadmin/uploads/afdb/Documents/Environmental-and-Social-Assessments/Ghana-Awoshie-Pokuase%20Road%20ESIA%20Summary%20board%20board%2020%201%2009.pdf |title=Ghana: Awoshie-Pokuase Road Projet |publisher=afdb.org |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130723071937/http://www.afdb.org/fileadmin/uploads/afdb/Documents/Environmental-and-Social-Assessments/Ghana-Awoshie-Pokuase%20Road%20ESIA%20Summary%20board%20board%2020%201%2009.pdf |archive-date=23 July 2013}}</ref> [[dual carriageway]] [[road construction]] was also due to be completed in 2012.{{Update inline|date=December 2014}} In total, 84.4% of all houses in the Accra Metropolitan Area have their outside walls made up of cement. Similarly, houses found within Accra have 99.2% of their floor materials made up of cement.{{clear|right}}

== Economy ==
In 2008, the [[World Bank]] estimated that Accra's economy only constituted around [[United States dollar|US$]]3&nbsp;billion of Ghana's total gross domestic product (GDP).<ref>[http://www.worldbank.org/afr/wps/wp110.pdf http://www.worldbank.org/afr/wps/wp110.pdf] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110212032048/http://www.worldbank.org/afr/wps/wp110.pdf |date=12 February 2011 }} [[World Bank]] Africa Region Working Paper Series 110 (PDF). Retrieved 15 October 2011.</ref> The economically active population of Accra is estimated to be 823,327.
[[File:A drone footage of Accra central, Ghana.jpg|thumb|Accra Central, Accra, Ghana]]
Accra is a centre for manufacturing, marketing, finance, insurance, and transportation. Its financial sector incorporates a central bank, nine commercial banks (with 81 branches), four development banks (with 19 branches), four merchant banks (with seven branches), three discount houses, one home finance mortgage bank, multiple [[building societies]], [[Ghana Stock Exchange]], [[Foreign exchange market|foreign exchange]] bureaus, finance houses, insurance companies, insurance brokerage firms, two savings and loans companies, and numerous real estate developers, with industrial sites and residential developments.<ref>{{cite news |title=Mantse Ankrah the Accra landlord is coming |url=http://www.ghanabizmedia.com/ghanabizmedia/january-2012-special-report/470-mantse-ankrah-the-accra-landlord-is-coming.html |newspaper=Ghana Business Media |date=January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130723052332/http://www.ghanabizmedia.com/ghanabizmedia/january-2012-special-report/470-mantse-ankrah-the-accra-landlord-is-coming.html |archive-date=23 July 2013}}</ref><ref>[http://ghanaoilwatch.org/images/Oil_Revenue/jacob_hobenuPUBLICATION.PDF Oil Revenue] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120803232509/http://www.ghanaoilwatch.org/images/Oil_Revenue/jacob_hobenuPUBLICATION.PDF |date=3 August 2012 }}. ghanaoilwatch.org.</ref> The road network in the Accra Metropolitan Area totals {{convert|1117|km}} in length.

There are over 50,506 identified residential properties in Accra, and about 4,054 commercial/industrial/mixed properties, with a total rateable value of GH¢13,849,014.<ref name="ghanadistricts1">{{cite web |url=http://ghanadistricts.com/districts/?r=1&_=3&sa=5724 |title=A repository of all districts in the republic of Ghana |publisher=Ghana Districts |access-date=5 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711091847/http://ghanadistricts.com/districts/?r=1&_=3&sa=5724 |archive-date=11 July 2011}}</ref> There are also supermarkets, 36 facilities for both on–street and off-[[street parking]], and shopping malls, as well as several facilities for sports and recreation.
{{clear left}}

=== Sectors of the economy ===
[[File:Ecobank Ghana Limited - Head Office.jpg|left|thumb|Ecobank Ghana Limited ]]
The sectors of Accra's economy consist of the primary, secondary (manufacturing, electricity, gas, water, construction) and tertiary sectors (supermarkets, shopping malls, hotel, restaurant, transportation, storage, communication, financial intermediation, real estate service, public administration, education, health and other social services). The tertiary service sector is the city's largest, employing about 531,670 people. The second-largest, the secondary sector, employs 22.34% of the labour force, or around 183,934 people. 12.2% of the city's workforce are reportedly unemployed, totalling around 114,198 people.<ref name="ghanadistricts1" />
{{Further|topic=the technology company|Asoriba}}

=== Primary sector ===
{{unreferenced section|date=March 2024}}
[[File:Overzicht baai met boten in de zee - Accra - 20375372 - RCE.jpg|thumb|Licensed and Commercial [[fishing vessel]]s off the [[coast]] of Accra.]]
Accra's smallest economic sector, the primary sector, employs approximately 91,556 people. The predominant economic activities are [[fishery]] and [[urban agriculture]], with fishery accounting for 78% of production labour. Urban agriculture in Accra centres on the growth of vegetables, several crops and poultry. The fishery industry is the most important sub-sector, with 10% of the catch being exported and the rest consumed locally. The industry is characterised by extreme seasonableness, operating primarily between June and September. Although most deep-water Atlantic fishing around Accra takes place in the June–September period, fishery operations take place close to the shore throughout the year, and there are clear indications of the [[overfishing|depletion of fish stocks]] in the near future. Fishing operations are most prominent at the Jamestown, La, Teshie, Nungua and Chorkor fishing shores.

== Education ==
=== Pre-school ===
Pre-school comprises nursery and kindergarten. In 2001, there were 7,923 children (3,893 girls and 4,030 boys) in [[pre-school]]s in Accra. In 2010, the enrolment rate at Pre-school was 98%.<ref name="UNICEF at a glance: Ghana&nbsp;– Statistics">{{cite web |url=http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/ghana_statistics.html |title=UNICEF at a glance: Ghana&nbsp;– Statistics |work=unicef.org |publisher=[[UNICEF]] |access-date=5 April 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120403110008/http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/ghana_statistics.html |archive-date=3 April 2012}}</ref> Pre-schools are regulated by the Ministry of Employment and Social Welfare, and are mostly privately owned and operated. In 2001, there were 62 government-owned pre-schools in the Accra metropolis.

=== Primary school ===
Primary school enrolment of girls is higher than that of boys.<ref name="UNICEF at a glance: Ghana&nbsp;– Statistics"/> In 2010, the enrollment rate at primary school level was 95%.<ref name="UNICEF at a glance: Ghana&nbsp;– Statistics"/>

=== Junior high school (JHS) ===
The Junior High School is part of Ghana's basic education program. Its nationwide implementation began on 29 September 1987.

In the 2001/2002 academic year, 61,080 pupils had enrolled in Accra, representing 57.17% of the 129,467 school-age 12–to-14-year-olds. In 2010, the enrolment rate at Junior high school level was 95%.<ref name="UNICEF at a glance: Ghana&nbsp;– Statistics"/> The ratio of girls is also higher at this level.<ref name="UNICEF at a glance: Ghana&nbsp;– Statistics"/>

=== Senior high school (SHS) ===
{{multiple image
| align     = right
| direction = vertical
| header    = 
| width     = 197
| image1    = ACHIMOTA.jpg
| alt1      = 
| caption1  = [[Achimota School]]
| image2    = 
| alt2      = 
| caption2  = [[University of Ghana]]
| caption_align = center
}}

The transition rate between junior high and senior high school increased from 30 per cent in 1990 to 50 per cent in 2001. The number of students grew by 23,102 between 1990 and 2005, an increase of about 2,310 a year, since 2010 the senior high school enrolment rate has been 95%.<ref name="UNICEF at a glance: Ghana&nbsp;– Statistics"/>

[[Ghana International School]] (GIS), a private non-profit [[A-Level]] school founded in 1955 for children from ages 3–18, is located in Accra's Cantonments. Abelemkpe is the home of [[Lincoln Community School]], a private, non-profit [[International Baccalaureate]] (IB) school for students aged 3–18, established in 1968.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lincoln.edu.gh |title=Lincoln Community School |work=School Website |access-date=29 October 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090926100838/http://www.lincoln.edu.gh/ |archive-date=26 September 2009 }}</ref> Some other International Baccalaureate Schools in Accra include Al-Rayan International School (ARIS), Association International School (AIS), and American International School (AIS). These schools were established in 2003, 1963, and 2006, respectively.

A number of notable public secondary schools lie on the outskirts of Accra: [[Achimota School]], commonly referred to as "Motown", which was founded in 1924 and opened in 1927;<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.achimota.edu.gh/ |title=Achimota School Website |publisher=Achimota School |access-date=29 October 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090923174552/http://www.achimota.edu.gh/ |archive-date=23 September 2009 }}</ref> the [[Accra Academy]], known as "Accra Aca"; the [[Presbyterian Boys' Secondary School]] in [[Legon]], commonly known as "Presec"; Wesley Grammar School&nbsp;– WESS-G Dansoman, [[St Mary's Senior High School (Ghana)|St. Mary's Senior High School]], commonly referred to as "Merriez", is a well-known girls' boarding school in Ghana; <!--Redlink [[St. Thomas Aquinas Secondary School, Cantonments, Accra|St Thomas Aquinas Secondary School]] -->[[St. Thomas Aquinas Senior High School]], commonly known as "Quinas"; [[Accra High School]] commonly known as "Ahisco"; [[West Africa Secondary School]], commonly known as "WASS"; the [[Accra Girls Senior High School|Accra Girls' Senior High School]], commonly known as "Agiss"; [[Kaneshie Secondary Technical School]] ("[[Kateco]]"); the Armed Forces Secondary Technical; and St. John's [[Grammar School]]; among others.

=== Universities ===
The [[University of Ghana]] is located {{convert|13|km|mi}} north of the city centre at [[Legon]]. A number of other public and private universities and [[tertiary institution]]s have since been founded in Accra, some of which are listed below.
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Institution !! Location !! Public/Private !! Affiliation
|-
| [[University of Ghana]] (Legon) || Legon || Public ||
|-
| [[Accra Institute of Technology]] (AIT) || Cantonments || Private || [[Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology]]
|-
| [[Regional Maritime University]] (RMU) || Nungua || Private || [[University of Ghana]]
|-
| [[Ghana Telecom University College|Ghana Communication Technology University]] (GCTU) || Tesano || Public ||
|-
| [[Islamic University College, Ghana|Islamic University College]] (ICUG) || East Legon || Private || [[University of Ghana]]
|-
| Knutsford University College (Knutsford) || East Legon || Private || University of Ghana
|-
| [[Methodist University College Ghana|Methodist University College]] (MUCG) || Dansoman || Private || University of Ghana
|-
| [[Regent University College of Science and Technology]] (Regent) || Mataheko || Private || [[Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology]]
|-
| [[Ashesi University]] (Ashesi) || Berekuso || Private || [[University of Cape Coast]]
|-
| [[Heritage Christian College]] || Amasaman || Private || [[Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology]]
|-
| [[Central University College]] (Central) || Mataheko/Miotso || Private || [[University of Cape Coast]]
|-
| [[Zenith University College]] (ZUC) || La, Trade Fair || Private || University of Cape Coast
|-
| [[Ghana Institute of Journalism]] (GIJ) || Ridge || Public || University of Ghana
|-
| [[Accra Polytechnic|Accra Technical University(ATU)]]|| Tudu || Public  ||
|-
| Advanced Business University College (ABUC) || Kaneshie || Private || [[University of Education, Winneba]]
|-
| [[Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration]] (GIMPA) || Achimota || Public ||
|-
| The [[University of Professional Studies]] (UPS) || Legon || Public ||
|-
| [[National Film and Television Institute]] (NAFTI) || Cantonments || Public || University of Ghana
|-
| [[Valley View University]] (VVU) || Oyibi || Private ||
|-
| [[African University College of Communications]] (AUCC) || Adabraka || Private || University of Ghana
|-
| [[University of Professional Studies, Accra]] (UPSA)  || East-Legon || Public || Accra
|-
| Academic City University College (ACUC) || Haatso || Private || 
|-
| [[Pentecost University]] (Pentvars) || Sowutuom || Private ||
|-
| Wisconsin International University College, Ghana || North Legon || Private ||
|-
| Webster University, Ghana || East Legon || Private ||
|}

=== Institutes ===
* [[French Institute of Ghana]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Contact |url=http://institutfrancais-gabon.com/index.php/nous-contacter |website=institutfrancais-gabon.com via Wikiwix |access-date=2023-10-07 |archive-date=30 November 1998 |archive-url=https://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/19981130000000/http://institutfrancais-gabon.com/index.php/nous-contacter }}</ref>

== Healthcare ==
=== Hospitals ===
See [[List of hospitals in Ghana#Greater Accra Region|List of hospitals in the Greater Accra Region]].

== Environment ==
=== Water ===
As a growing city, Accra has a water supply and scarcity challenge.<ref name=":5">{{Cite journal |last=Peloso |first=Megan |title=Water Scarcity Beyond Crisis: Spotlight on Accra |url=https://www.ijurr.org/spotlight-on/parched-cities-parched-citizens/water-scarcity-beyond-crisis-spotlight-on-accra/ |journal=International Journal of Urban and Regional Research}}</ref> Water access uses a patchwork of different delivery processes.<ref name=":5" />

=== Pollution ===

Accra as a rapidly growing city, with lots of vehicles and other urban pollution sources, has also an increasing amount of air pollution and [[plastic pollution]]. Accra's urban ecosystem has been a site of dumping by international waste networks, with the [[Agbogbloshie]] suburb known for its highly toxic [[e-waste recycling]] sites, and the [[Kantamanto Market]] as handling an overwhelming flow of used [[fast fashion]] from other parts of the world.<ref name="marieclaire.com.au">{{Cite web |title=The Horrifying True Cost Of Fashion |url=https://www.marieclaire.com.au/fast-fashion-true-cost |access-date=22 April 2022 |date=22 April 2022|first=Clare |last=Press|website=Marie Claire |language=en-us}}</ref> Both sites are sources of pollution and trash for other parts of the urban ecosystem.<ref name="marieclaire.com.au"/><ref>{{Cite news |title=Activists slam Europe for dumping on Africa |work=The Hindu |url=https://frontline.thehindu.com/dispatches/activists-slam-europe-for-dumping-on-africa/article38466610.ece|date=2 April 2022}}</ref>

Air pollution varies seasonally, but the average measure PM<sub>2.5</sub> average concentration of 49.5 μg/m<sup>3</sup>.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ambient air pollution and health in Accra, Ghana |url=https://www.who.int/publications-detail-redirect/9789240022294 |date=31 March 2021|access-date=22 April 2022 |website=www.who.int |language=en}}</ref> Live monitoring of air pollution is done at three sites in the city of Accra.<ref>{{Cite web |last=project |first=The World Air Quality Index |title=Air Pollution in Accra: Real-time Air Quality Index Visual Map |url=https://aqicn.org/map/accra/ |access-date=22 April 2022 |website=aqicn.org}}</ref> A 2021 review by the [[Environmental Protection Agency (Ghana)|Environmental Protection Agency]] in Ghana found that the levels were well exceeding both national and international standards for health.<ref>{{Cite web |last=emmakd |date=8 September 2021 |title=Air pollution in Accra still high&nbsp;– EPA |url=https://www.ghanabusinessnews.com/2021/09/08/air-pollution-in-accra-still-high-epa/ |access-date=22 April 2022 |website=Ghana Business News |language=en-US}}</ref>

Plastic management is also an increasing challenge.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Yoada |first1=Ramatta Massa |last2=Chirawurah |first2=Dennis |last3=Adongo |first3=Philip Baba |date=8 July 2014 |title=Domestic waste disposal practice and perceptions of private sector waste management in urban Accra |journal=BMC Public Health |volume=14 |issue=1 |page=697 |doi=10.1186/1471-2458-14-697 |doi-access=free |issn=1471-2458 |pmc=4226987 |pmid=25005728}}</ref> Use of plastic water bottles [[water sachets]] and other packaging for food safety, as well as the use of plastic during events like COVID-19 have significantly increased plastic pollution.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=26 June 2020 |title=Plastic Pollution in Ghana: Urban Trash Heroes |url=https://www.muntaka.com/plastic-pollution-in-ghana/ |access-date=22 April 2022 |website=Muntaka.com |language=en-US}}</ref> The beaches around Accra have significant plastic pollution, and surrounding fisheries are heavily impacted by plastics.<ref name=":4">{{Citation |last=Welle (www.dw.com) |first=Deutsche |title=Ghana: An ocean of plastic waste {{!}} DW {{!}} 18 June 2021 |url=https://www.dw.com/en/ghana-an-ocean-of-plastic-waste/av-57957014 |language=en-GB |access-date=22 April 2022}}</ref> Multiple non-profit organizations have been formed to collect the plastic and an increasingly growing network of recyclers and informal waste recovery networks.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite book |last=Gugssa |first=Beamlak Tesfaye |url=http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-191431 |title=The Cycle of Solid Waste:A Case Study on the Informal Plastic and Metal Recovery System in Accra |date=2012}}</ref> However, activists and researchers largely attribute the issue to upstream use of plastics.

<ref name=":4" /> 

== Decongestion Exercises ==
There's been numerous Decongestion exercises carried out by successive mayors in the city to help solve hawking menace, flood issues and ensure road safety in the city despite the challenge of lack of adherence.[https://ama.gov.gh/news-details.php?n=OTBxcDIxNHFyNDEwcjU2cjc1MjUyczdxMnA5czQ4czYxbzA1OXBvbg==] 

=== Green spaces ===
Rapidly growing population and construction within the city has been resulting in a reduction in [[Urban green space]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gabriel |date=1 August 2019 |title=Accra Is Losing Its Green Spaces |url=https://gajreport.com/accra-losing-greens/ |access-date=22 April 2022 |website=Ghanaian American Journal |language=en-US}}</ref> A 2021 study of low income communities in the city found increasing concern and desire among these communities for urban green spaces for recreation and health.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Erdiaw-Kwasie |first1=Michael Odei |last2=Cobbinah |first2=Patrick Brandful |title=People in Accra's slums know green spaces are important: planners should take heed |url=http://theconversation.com/people-in-accras-slums-know-green-spaces-are-important-planners-should-take-heed-166296 |date=25 August 2021|access-date=22 April 2022 |website=The Conversation |language=en}}</ref> A 2018 study of greenspaces in the city, found the ones that do exist are important for mammal biodiversity in the city.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Ofori |first1=Benjamin Y. |last2=Garshong |first2=Reuben A. |last3=Gbogbo |first3=Francis |last4=Owusu |first4=Erasmus H. |last5=Attuquayefio |first5=Daniel K. |date=21 July 2018 |title=Urban green area provides refuge for native small mammal biodiversity in a rapidly expanding city in Ghana |journal=Environmental Monitoring and Assessment |volume=190 |issue=8 |page=480 |doi=10.1007/s10661-018-6858-1 |issn=1573-2959 |pmid=30032389|bibcode=2018EMnAs.190..480O |s2cid=51708386 }}</ref>

== Transportation ==
{{multiple image
| footer            = 
| header            = [[Kotoka International Airport]] (KIA)
| align             = right
| image1            = Jan 2019 Kotoka Airport Terminal 3.jpg
| width1            = 176
| alt1              = 
| caption1          = KIA International Terminal Building
| image2            = DGAA T3 DEP INT.jpg
| width2            = 200
| alt2              = 
| caption2          = Terminal 3 Departure Hall
| caption_align     = center
}}

Accra is on the Atlantic coast but it has not served as a port city since the 1950s. Instead, the Port of [[Tema]], about 29&nbsp;km to the east along the Atlantic coast, was developed for deepwater shipping to and from Ghana as it can accommodate larger ships; the port opened in 1961.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cogoport.com/ports/tema-ghtem |title=Tema (GHTEM), Ghana |access-date=5 December 2021 |date= |work=Cogoport |archive-date=6 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211206011912/https://www.cogoport.com/ports/tema-ghtem |url-status=live }}</ref> Tema is part of the metropolitan area of Accra.

Transport within Accra includes roads and rails, and an international airport

=== Rapid transit ===
Public transports exist between Accra and major cities such as [[Kumasi]]; [[Tamale, Ghana|Tamale]], [[Mim, Ahafo]]; [[Cape Coast]], [[Sunyani]]; [[Takoradi]]; [[Tema]]; [[Ho, Ghana|Ho]]; [[Wa, Ghana|Wa]]; [[Bolgatanga]]; [[Elubo]]; [[Aflao]], [[Techiman]];

In 2003, the [[Metro mass Transit L.T.D|Metro Mass Transit Service]], was inaugurated in Accra as a more comfortable and cheaper alternative to the trotro.

Accra is served by the [[Aayalolo]] bus system, which was inaugurated in November 2016. It was initially planned as a [[bus rapid transit]] with dedicated lanes, but because these lanes were not provided it was renamed Quality Bus System (QBS).

An agreement was signed in 2019 to build a five line, {{convert|194|km|mi|abbr=on}}, automated, elevated light railway metro system called [[Accra Skytrain]]. As of 2021 construction has not commenced on the $2.6 billion project. The government said in February 2021 it intends to proceed with the project which will developed under a [[build-own-operate]] concession by private South African firm.

Accra is connected by railway line to [[Kumasi]] and [[Takoradi]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.uktradeinvest.gov.uk/ukti/appmanager/ukti/countries;jsessionid=KTBQpDl6Xp1jtjp4NLphhKn0cT23s7p5jtpJ3DnkJcy1PSjz0Zds!89531318!NONE?_nfpb=true&portlet_3_5_actionOverride=/pub/portlets/genericViewer/showContentItem&_windowLabel=portlet_3_5&portlet_3_5navigationPageId=/ghana&portlet_3_5navigationContentPath=/BEA+Repository/326/226985&_pageLabel=CountryType1 |title=Ghana |publisher=UK Trade and Investment |date=28 April 2009 |access-date=29 October 2009 |archive-date=10 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190410200437/https://www.uktradeinvest.gov.uk/ukti/appmanager/ukti/countries;jsessionid=KTBQpDl6Xp1jtjp4NLphhKn0cT23s7p5jtpJ3DnkJcy1PSjz0Zds!89531318!NONE?_nfpb=true&portlet_3_5_actionOverride=%2Fpub%2Fportlets%2FgenericViewer%2FshowContentItem&_windowLabel=portlet_3_5&portlet_3_5navigationPageId=%2Fghana&portlet_3_5navigationContentPath=%2FBEA+Repository%2F326%2F226985&_pageLabel=CountryType1 }}</ref>
There is a suburban railway line from [[Accra Central Station]] to [[Tema]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Accra-Tema Railway Line |website=railway-technology.com |publisher=Kable Intelligence |date=c. 2010 |url=http://www.railway-technology.com/projects/accratemarailwayline/ |access-date=23 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171223043814/http://www.railway-technology.com/projects/accratemarailwayline/ |archive-date=23 December 2017 }}</ref>

=== Aviation ===
Accra is served by [[Kotoka International Airport]], which has both civil and military uses.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://worldaerodata.com/wad.cgi?id=GH02526&sch=DGAA |title=Kotoka International Airport |publisher=World Aero Data |year=2009 |access-date=29 October 2009 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080612190720/http://worldaerodata.com/wad.cgi?id=GH02526&sch=dgaa |archive-date=12 June 2008 }}</ref> Located {{convert|6|mi|km|abbr=off}} from downtown Accra, the airport handles all of the city's [[scheduled air transport|scheduled passenger services]]. There are plans to build a second airport to relieve the aviation pressure on the Kotoka International Airport. This new airport will be located at Prampram in Accra and will be constructed by China Airport Civil Construction. This plan was still under review in 2020, as additional runways at Kotoka are in consideration as an alternative to a new international airport.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://thebftonline.com/2020/08/26/prampram-airport-still-on-govts-mind-kofi-adda-expanding-kotoka-also-another-option/ |title=Prampram Airport still on gov't's mind&nbsp;– Kofi Adda ... expanding Kotoka also another option |date=26 August 2020 |work=The [[Business & Financial Times]] |location=Accra, Ghana |access-date=5 December 2021 |archive-date=17 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220217062420/https://thebftonline.com/2020/08/26/prampram-airport-still-on-govts-mind-kofi-adda-expanding-kotoka-also-another-option/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Taxis ===
[[File:High Street, Accra.jpg|thumb|Taxis on Accra's High Street]]

Accra has an extensive [[taxicab|taxi]] network and numerous [[taxi rank]]s, but most taxis lack a meter system, so price negotiation is required between the passenger and driver. Metered taxis do operate in the city, but tend to be more expensive. Taxis in Ghana are painted in two colours: the four bumpers [[fender (vehicle)|fenders]] are yellow/orange, and the rest of the car is in a colour of the operator's choice. These taxis usually function on a shared ride model, where several passengers share one vehicle and the fare is calculated based on the distance traveled. Recently, modern taxi services such as [[Uber]], [[Taxify]], and [https://yango.com/en_gh/ Yango] have joined the market, providing a more advanced and comfortable alternative. Some taxi drivers might charge extra for luggage or late-night trips while some also offer fixed prices and allow for advance bookings, offering a more reliable and secure option.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Taxi, Trotro Drivers |date=17 May 2021 |url=https://www.graphic.com.gh/features/features/taxi-trotro-drivers-invaluable-assets-in-the-transport-sector.html}}</ref>

=== Tro tros and buses ===
{{further|Tro tro|Metro Mass Transit Company Limited}}

By far the most common form of transport in Accra, ''[[tro tro]]s'' (minibuses or cargo vans modified for passenger transport) is the third biggest, and second most efficient and cost-effective way of getting around the city. The buses are typically minibuses or vans. Some of the most popular models used as tro tros are Nissan Urvan 15-seaters and Mercedes Benz Sprinter or D 309 vans. Trotros are typically decorated with decals such as flags of various countries or (local and international) soccer teams, popular sayings, proverbs (in English or local languages) or Bible verses. Trotros pick up and offload passengers at designated bus stops along their regular routes. Tro tros will also usually offload at undesignated locations along the route, by passenger request. Most routes commence and terminate at large urban transport terminals such as the Neoplan station or the [[Achimota Transport Terminal]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://beautifulghana.com/content/view/41/82/lang,en/ |title=Transportation &#124; Ghana, Accra, Transport, Car, Trotros |publisher=Beautiful Ghana |date=1 May 2006 |access-date=5 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100621083850/http://www.beautifulghana.com/content/view/41/82/lang%2Cen/ |archive-date=21 June 2010 }}</ref>

== Sport ==
[[File:Ghana national football team (Black Stars) badge and national anthem.jpg|thumb|Ghana national football team (Black Stars) badge and national anthem]]

[[Association football|Football]] is the most popular sport in Accra.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://yen.com.gh/121738-top-ghanaian-female-stars-football-teams-support.html|title=Top Ghanaian female stars and the football teams they support&nbsp;– YEN.COM.GH|date=26 January 2019|work=yen.com.gh|access-date=26 January 2019|archive-date=26 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626142138/https://yen.com.gh/121738-top-ghanaian-female-stars-football-teams-support.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The most famous football clubs in the city are Accra Great Olympics F.C. and [[Accra Hearts of Oak SC|Accra Hearts of Oak]], whose main rival is [[Asante Kotoko FC|Asante Kotoko]] of [[Kumasi]]. The [[Accra Sports Stadium]] is home to [[Accra Great Olympics F.C.|Accra Great Olympics]] and the [[Accra Hearts of Oak SC|Hearts of Oak]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.accraheartsofoak.com/site/index.php |title=Accra Hearts of Oak Sporting Club |work=Official website |publisher=Accra Hearts of Oak |access-date=31 October 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091209055754/http://www.accraheartsofoak.com/site/index.php |archive-date=9 December 2009 }}</ref> and a host venue of the [[Ghana national football team|Black Stars]], the national football team of Ghana. In 2008, the [[Accra Sports Stadium]] hosted nine matches in the [[2008 African Cup of Nations]].<ref>{{cite news |title=The 26th African Cup of Nations 2008 |publisher=SportScheduler}}</ref>

Another notable club is [[Accra Lions FC]], which also plays in the [[Accra Sports Stadium]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Accra Lions FC opts for Accra Sports Stadium as home ground for Division One League campaign|date=26 January 2018|url=https://ghanasoccernet.com/accra-lions-fc-opts-for-accra-sports-stadium-as-home-ground-for-division-one-league-campaign|publisher=Ghanasoccernet|access-date=19 July 2018|archive-date=2 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180802162707/https://ghanasoccernet.com/accra-lions-fc-opts-for-accra-sports-stadium-as-home-ground-for-division-one-league-campaign|url-status=live}}</ref>

Accra is home to the [[Right to Dream Academy]], which gives young Ghanaians a chance at a career in professional football. Many of the academy's alumni, including [[Chicago Fire Soccer Club|Chicago Fire]]'s [[David Accam]], [[Helsingborgs IF|Helsingborg]]'s [[Emmanuel Boateng (footballer, born 1994)|Ema Boateng]], [[Halmstads BK|Halmstad]]'s [[King Gyan]] and [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]]'s [[Godsway Donyoh]] and [[Enock Kwakwa]], as well as Ghana national team players, [[Brimah Razak]], [[Harrison Afful]], [[John Boye]], [[Jonathan Mensah]], [[Mohamed Awal]], [[Yaw Frimpong]], [[Mohammed Rabiu]], [[Paul de Vries (Footballer)|Paul de Vries]], [[Seidu Bancey]], [[Mahatma Otoo]], [[Asamoah Gyan]], [[Latif Mohammed]], [[Yahaya Mohamed]], [[Theophilus Annorbaah]], [[Michael Essien]], [[Yussif Raman Chibsah]], [[Kwadwo Asamoah]], [[Joshua Otoo]], [[Nuru Sulley]], [[David Addy]], [[Jerry Akaminko]], [[Daniel Opare]] and [[Foli Adade]], were also born in Accra.

[[Boxing]] is also popular, with many former world champions coming out of Ghana, including [[Azumah Nelson]], [[Joshua Clottey]], and [[Ike Quartey]].

Accra hosted the [[2023 African Games]].

== Places of worship ==
<gallery>
File:Anglican Holy Trinity Cathedral Accra.jpg|[[Holy Trinity Cathedral (Accra)|Holy Trinity Cathedral]] ([[Church of the Province of West Africa]])
File:Christ the King Parish in Accra.jpg|Christ the King Parish in Accra ([[Catholic Church]])
File:All Saints church Accra Adabraka.jpg|All Saints church in [[Adabraka]]
File:Accra Wesley Cathedral 2.jpg|alt=|Accra Wesley Cathedral is one of the oldest church buildings in Ghana
File:St. Augustine Anglican Church.jpg|alt=|The St. Augustine Anglican Church is located in Sahara, Dansoman
File:Anglican Diocese of Accra.jpg|alt=|Anglican Diocese of Accra&nbsp;— ST. Mary the Virgin Church
</gallery>
Among the [[places of worship]], they are predominantly [[Christianity|Christian]] churches and temples : [[Church of the Province of West Africa]] ([[Anglican Communion]]), [[Presbyterian Church of Ghana]], [[Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana]] ([[World Communion of Reformed Churches]]), [[Ghana Baptist Convention]] ([[Baptist World Alliance]]), [[Lighthouse Chapel International]], [[Church of Pentecost]], [[Assemblies of God]], [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Accra]] ([[Catholic Church]]).<ref>J. Gordon Melton, Martin Baumann (2020), ''Religions of the World: A Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Beliefs and Practices'', ABC-CLIO, USA, pp. 1209–1211.</ref> There are also [[Islam|Muslim]] mosques.

Notable places of worship in the city include the [[Holy Trinity Cathedral (Accra)|Holy Trinity Cathedral]], [[Wesley Methodist Cathedral (Accra)|Wesley Methodist Cathedral]], [[Ebenezer Presbyterian Church, Osu]], [[Holy Spirit Cathedral (Accra)|Holy Spirit Cathedral]], the [[Ghana National Mosque]], the [[Madina Mosque (Accra)|Madina Mosque]], and the [[Accra Ghana Temple]] of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

== Culture ==
[[File:Ak ghana.jpg|thumb|The [[Black Star Square]] in Accra]]

[[Tourism in Ghana]] accounted for 1,087,000 international tourist arrivals in 2011.<ref name="Ghana To Earn US$8.3 Billion From Tourism By 2027">{{cite web |url=http://ghanaonlinenews.com/ghana-to-earn-8-3-billion-usd-from-tourism-by-2027/ |title=Ghana To Earn 8.3 Billion USD From Tourism By 2027 |work=ghanaonlinenews.com |date=3 April 2014 |access-date=3 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160814151418/http://www.ghanaonlinenews.com/ghana-to-earn-8-3-billion-usd-from-tourism-by-2027/ |archive-date=14 August 2016}}</ref>
Accra is the Greater Accra region's tourist hub, sporting a wide variety of hotels, monuments, museums and nightclubs. The city has three [[five-star hotel]]s: the Labadi Beach Hotel, the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel and the Movenpick Ambassador Hotel. The Golden Tulip Hotel and Novotel Accra, located in Accra's central business district, are both ranked four stars. There are numerous three-star hotels, including the Hotel Wangara, Hotel Shangri-La and Erata Hotel, as well as many budget hotels. The [[Accra International Conference Centre]] and other meeting facilities provide venues for conference tourism.<ref name="ouring Ghana&nbsp;– Greater Accra Region">[http://www.touringghana.com/regions/greateraccra_region.asp Touring Ghana&nbsp;– Greater Accra Region] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120411133930/http://www.touringghana.com/regions/greateraccra_region.asp |date=11 April 2012 }}. touringghana.com.</ref>

The Du Bois Centre houses a research library and gallery of manuscripts, as well as the graves of its namesake, the scholar [[W.E.B. Du Bois]], and his wife [[Shirley Graham Du Bois]].The [[Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum]] is the resting place of Ghana's first President, [[Kwame Nkrumah]], who oversaw the Gold Coast's independence from Britain and was a leading exponent of [[Pan-Africanism]].

The [[National Theatre (Accra)|National Theatre]] in Accra, home of the [[National Symphony Orchestra Ghana]]

Accra furthermore hosts the [[National Museum of Ghana|National Museum]], [[National Theatre (Accra)|National Theatre]], with its distinctive modern [[Chinese architecture]].

The city's foremost historical site is the Jamestown area, which contains the [[Ussher Fort]] and [[Fort James, Ghana|James Fort]], and [[Osu Castle]] (also known as [[Christiansborg]]), built by Danish settlers in the 17th century.

Other sites of note include the [[The Flagstaff House|Jubilee House]] (the office of the [[Government of Ghana]] and the [[President of Ghana]]), the [[Parliament House of Ghana]], the [[Ghana-India Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT]], the [[Black Star Square]], [[Accra Sports Stadium]], and the Accra Centre for National Culture. The Accra-based [[African Fashion Foundation]] supports the [[Clothing in Africa|African fashion industry]], especially the fashion industry in [[Ghana]].

Accra has an Atlantic beachfront and the most popular of the city's beaches is [[Labadi Beach]], along with Kokrobite Beach, which is located {{convert|25|km|mi|abbr=off}} west of Accra. The [[beachfront]] area also houses the Academy of African Music and Arts.

Ghana's film industry is growing. Its first documentary addressing the impacts of climate change premiered in Accra on 14 October 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=GNA |date=16 October 2022 |title=First Ghanaian Film on Climate Change to showcase at COP27 |url=https://gna.org.gh/2022/10/first-ghanaian-film-on-climate-change-to-showcase-at-cop27/ |access-date=18 October 2022 |website=Ghana News Agency |language=en-US}}</ref> '''''The Ghana Youth Film Program''''' is a compilation film of 12 documentary short films made youth from across Ghana aged 18 to 30. It participated in the United Nations climate summit, COP27, on 9{{nbsp}}November 2022.

== Twin towns&nbsp;– sister cities ==
Accra has four official [[Twin towns and sister cities|sister cities]], as recognised by [[Sister Cities International]]:<ref name="sister-cities1">{{cite web |url=http://www.sister-cities.org/directory/IntllistingsResults.cfm |title=SCI: Sister City Directory |publisher=Sister-cities.org |access-date=5 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100831175058/http://www.sister-cities.org/directory/IntllistingsResults.cfm |archive-date=31 August 2010 }}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; background:white; width:60%;"
|- style="color:white;"
! ! style="background:#1E90FF; width: 40%;" | City
! ! style="background:#1E90FF; width:40%;" | Province / Region / State
! ! style="background:#1E90FF; width:15%;" | Nation
! ! style="background:#1E90FF; width:10%;" | Year
! ! style="background:#1E90FF; width:10%;" | Ref
|-
| ! ! style="background:lemonchiffon;" | [[File:Flag of Johannesburg.svg|30px]] '''[[Johannesburg]]'''
| ! ! style="text-align:center;" | [[Gauteng]]
| ! ! style="text-align:center;" | {{flagicon|South Africa}}
| ! ! style="text-align:center;" | 
| ! ! style="text-align:center;" |<ref name="JHBsisterCity">{{cite web |url=http://www.joburg.org.za/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=833&Itemid=131 |title=Johannesburg's Sister Cities |publisher=joburg.org.za |access-date=14 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201163954/http://www.joburg.org.za/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=833&Itemid=131 |archive-date=1 February 2014}}</ref>
|-
| ! ! style="background:lemonchiffon;" | '''[[Sterling, Connecticut|Sterling]]'''
| ! ! style="text-align:center;" | [[Connecticut]]
| ! ! style="text-align:center;" | {{flagicon|United States}}
| ! ! style="text-align:center;" | 
| ! ! style="text-align:center;" |<ref name="sister-cities1" />
|-
| ! ! style="background:lemonchiffon;" | [[File:Flag of Washington, D.C..svg|30px]] '''[[Washington, D.C.|Washington]]'''
| ! ! style="text-align:center;" | [[District of Columbia]]
| ! ! style="text-align:center;" | {{flagicon|United States}}
| ! ! style="text-align:center;" | 2006
| ! ! style="text-align:center;" |<ref>{{cite web |url=https://os.dc.gov/service/dc-sister-cities |title=DC Sister Cities |publisher=os.dc.gov |access-date=8 August 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170702114528/https://os.dc.gov/service/dc-sister-cities |archive-date=2 July 2017}}</ref>
|-
| ! ! style="background:lemonchiffon;" |  '''[[Columbia, South Carolina|Columbia]]'''
| ! ! style="text-align:center;" | [[South Carolina]]
| ! ! style="text-align:center;" | {{flagicon|United States}}
| ! ! style="text-align:center;" | 
| ! ! style="text-align:center;" |<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.columbiawac.org/sister_cities.html |title=Columbia's Sister Cities |publisher=columbiawac.org |access-date=14 February 2014 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130908223320/http://columbiawac.org/sister_cities.html |archive-date=8 September 2013}}</ref>
|-
| ! ! style="background:lemonchiffon;" |  '''[[Columbus, Ohio|Columbus]]'''
| ! ! style="text-align:center;" | [[Ohio]]
| ! ! style="text-align:center;" | {{flagicon|United States}}
| ! ! style="text-align:center;" | 2015
| ! ! style="text-align:center;" |<ref>{{cite web |url=https://columbussistercities.com/sister-cities/accra-ghana/|title=Accra, Ghana Columbus Sister City Since 2015|publisher=columbussistercities.com |access-date=10 October 2024}}</ref>
|-
| ! ! style="background:lemonchiffon;" |  '''[[Chattanooga, Tennessee|Chattanooga]]'''
| ! ! style="text-align:center;" | [[Tennessee]]
| ! ! style="text-align:center;" | {{flagicon|United States}}
| ! ! style="text-align:center;" | 2024
| ! ! style="text-align:center;" |<ref>{{cite web |date=12 February 2024 |website= Local 3 News |url=https://www.local3news.com/local-news/chattanoogas-seventh-sister-city-accra-ghana-the-first-from-the-continent-of-africa/article_5b8f372c-c9c5-11ee-95de-572791d8312f.html |title=Chattanooga's seventh sister city, Accra, Ghana, the first from the continent of Africa}}</ref>
|}

== UNESCO World Book ==
In October 2022, Accra was named by the [[UNESCO|United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization]] (UNESCO) as [[World Book Capital]] for 2023.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.jamesmurua.com/accra-ghana-is-unesco-world-book-capital-2023/|title=Accra, Ghana is Unesco World Book Capital 2023|website=James Murua's Literature Blog|date=28 September 2021|access-date=28 December 2022|archive-date=26 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326030814/https://www.jamesmurua.com/accra-ghana-is-unesco-world-book-capital-2023/|url-status=usurped}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=10 October 2022 |title=Accra named UNESCO World Book Capital for 2023 |url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/Accra-named-UNESCO-World-Book-Capital-for-2023-1639637 |access-date=11 October 2022 |website=GhanaWeb |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Nartey |first=Laud |date=10 October 2022 |title=Accra named UNESCO World Book Capital for the year 2023 |url=https://3news.com/accra-named-unesco-world-book-capital-for-the-year-2023/ |access-date=11 October 2022 |website=3News.com |language=en-US |archive-date=26 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326030843/https://3news.com/accra-named-unesco-world-book-capital-for-the-year-2023/ }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=10 October 2022 |title=Akufo-Addo: Accra named UNESCO World Book Capital for 2023 |website= Asaase Radio|first= Wilberforce |last=Asare |url=https://asaaseradio.com/akufo-addo-accra-named-unesco-world-book-capital-for-2023/ |access-date=11 October 2022 |language=en-US}}</ref>

== See also ==
{{Portal|Africa}}
* [[2015 Accra explosion]]
* [[2017 Atomic Junction gas explosion]]
* [[List of people from Accra]]
{{clear}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== Bibliography ==
{{See also|Timeline of Accra#Bibliography|l1=Bibliography of the history of Accra}}
*{{Cite journal |last=Wilks |first=Ivor |year=1957 |title=The Rise of The Akwamu Empire, 1650-1710 |journal=Transactions of the Historical Society of Ghana |volume=3 |issue=2 |pages=25–62 |jstor=41405705}}

== External links ==
{{sister project links|d=Q3761|c=Category:Accra|n=no|b=no|v=no|voy=Accra|m=no|mw=no|s=no|wikt=no|species=no}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20191224111825/https://afrosages.com/accra-night-life-still-dey-pap/ "Accra Night Life Still Dey Pap"] (archived). ''Afrosages.com''. 22 January 2020.

{{Accra}}
{{GhanaLargestSettlements}}
{{List of African capitals}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Accra| ]]
[[Category:1961 establishments in Ghana]]
[[Category:Capitals in Africa]]
[[Category:Dutch Gold Coast]]
[[Category:Former Danish colonies]]
[[Category:Former Dutch colonies]]
[[Category:Former Portuguese colonies]]
[[Category:Populated coastal places in Ghana]]
[[Category:Populated places established in the 15th century]]
[[Category:Populated places in the Greater Accra Region]]
[[Category:Port cities and towns in Africa]]
[[Category:Portuguese Gold Coast]]
[[Category:Regional capitals in Ghana]]