Accra became the seat for the Gold Coast Administration in the year 1877 the reason was simple - Cape Coast, the then Capital of the Crown Colony, was too far away from the other parts of the country and since then Accra has been the centre point for the ten regions. Accra is the smallest of Ghana's Regions with only 2577 sq. km but it is the most densely populated.

Accra is proud of it's style. As Ghanaians are proud of their culture and heritage they are also proud of their style. Accra is one of the few cities in Africa which does not try to copy the Western World or America. You will not find towering buildings from cold cement and glass nor will you find snobbish shopping arcades. What you find is a city which is first and foremost a home to it's population of more than 2 million. Accra is not necessarily a beautiful city but it was made according the style and taste of those that live in it and around it.

Due to Accra's geographic situation it hardly rains in Accra. It is situated in the middle of a very dry coastline that stretches from Cape Three Points to Togo. Due to this the area around Accra and Tema is among the driest in the country. Accra is surrounded by water and as such is not affected by the absence of rain. The sea, one lake and four lagoons are ample enough. Accra is only 25 meters above sea level and is surrounded by hills 350 meters high on the other three sides.

No one really knows where the name Accra originated, but one thing is for sure, it has a connection with Black Ants also known as Gaga in the Ga language. Another sign for the connection of ants with the name is the traditional Akan name for Accra is Nkran - Black Ant. The Ga were the first to settle in this area. They were mostly farmers and as such they preferred living on higher grounds, but also because they had many enemies and the surrounding hills gave them cover. Around 1471 the Portuguese landed on the coast in this region and soon set up a trading point to trade their wares against the riches of the African Coast - Gold, Pepper, Ivory and Slaves.

The Ga were quite a small tribe and as such had problems defending themselves against their countless enemies. But one thing they had in their favor was the fact that they were smart and used the foreigners to protect them. The Foreigners found the Ga' s to be good tradesmen and wanted to protect their interest. Soon the areas around the Castles in the Ga area became attractive for other settlers and the region grew in population with people migrating down from other regions. The first large settlement was around the Korle Lagoon which became Ussher Town when the British took over the Ussher Fort. Similarly James Town became the area around the British James Fort. Labadi was formed by a colony of Farmers which supplied the other areas with food crops whiles the folk along the coastal strips supplied fish and as such there was a constant bartering between the Ga's and the foreigners. When the British finally took over in the middle of the 19th Century Accra was born.

Today Accra is no different from any other metropolis only maybe more interesting as one finds the old tradition and the new American and Western influence as a refreshing mixture. Accra is quickly growing into a model city for the rest of West Africa - Accra dictates Fashion and Music trends for West Africa.

From the Accra Region we select some sightseeing's.