Accra Inside Out
BY REBECCA BAM 15TH JUN, 2013 09:15
Accra has a great roadside food culture with fried yams, fried fish, grilled kebabs just some of the delicacies on offer. But the most famous Ghanaian delicacy is kelewele — fried plantain spiced with ginger and pepper and served with groundnuts on the side. Stop anyone on the roadside and they’ll be able to point a good stall out to you.
For great African ambience, try the Buka in Osu, near the former American embassy. It offers a fabulous variety of Ghanaian and Nigerian dishes. The peppered snails are out of this world. Keep a cold drink close by."
-Ruben “ Dotse, Entrepreneur
"
Labadi Beach, Accra, Ghana
LA BADI BEACH
This is the place to be on a Saturday afternoon — it’s teeming with people and activity. There are several different bars and plenty of fun.
-Stan Klomedo, financial analyst
NEXT DOOR BEACH RESORT @ Beach Road, Tashie
The Next Door Beach Resort is a nice place to chill out on a Friday evening. Live music, a bit of dancing and a cool breeze adds to the atmosphere. But do note Accra has a great number of ‘drinking spots’.
Some are upscale and trendy where you may feel out of place without the right shoes and there are roadside spots where no one cares even if you show up in slippers. Next Door is a nice mix of both.
THE BUKA @ 10th Lane, Osu
The Buka Restaurant was established in S e p t e m b e r 2003 and opened its doors to the general public on the 15th of December thatsame year. The restaurant, whichcurrently has only one branch, issituated in the hub of Osu off themain Street on 10th Lane, twodoors away from the formerAmerican Embassy Visa Section.Buka as it is popularly referredto, was set up to cater especiallyfor the middle-income business community and the discerning international travellers.
Buka presently seats 75 on an open-air terrace and has a further seating capacity of 36 set in two immaculately designed rooms with an ambiance of seclusion and air-conditioned comfort. It is opened from Mondays through to Saturdays from noon till 10pm and on Sundays from noon till 6pm. It proudly offers an excellent fusion of local foods using the finest of ingredients. A friendly service, and an enthralling and picturesque African setting is its signature. The regular menu at Buka consists of eclectic dishes from Ghana, Cote D’Ivoire, Togo, Nigeria and Senegal.
In addition, there are specific Ghanaian and Nigerian specialties throughout the working week. In the evenings, there is a relay of mouth-watering grills in the open air inducing a welcoming atmosphere. Besides the restaurant, Buka offers contract and outside catering which is presently viewed as a major area of growth and expansion.
The Royal Dragon Restaurant, La Palm, Accra, Ghana
CITIZEN KOFI @ 6th Street, Osu
Citizen Kofi is a 6 level structure equipped with a night club, a sky bar, performance stage and most notably a restaurant known as Zanga.
NATIONAL BOTANICAL GARDENS, ABURI
The weather is cooler and fresh palm wine is sold by the roadside. The views are incredible. Drive past the presidential retreat at Peduase Lodge and head to Hillburi for another stunning vista. And you may spot Rita Marley, who has a home there.
-Nicolas Tetteh, Banker
THE INDEPENDENCE SQUARE
The Independence Square of Accra, Ghana commemorates the independence of Ghana, a first for Sub Saharan Africa. It contains monuments to Ghana’s independence struggle, including the Independence Arch, Black Star Squre, and the Liberation Day Monument.
GHANA, QUICK FACTS AND FIGURES CULTURE
Ghana was known as the Gold Coast until 1957 when it became the first independent black African nation. Pay a visit to the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park. Nkrumah was the founder of modern Ghana and its first president. He is considered the continent’s greatest.
LANGUAGE
English (Official), Akan, Ga, Ewe, Dagbani, Nzema & Hausa.
NATURAL RESOURCES
Gold, Diamond, Bauxite, Manganese, Timber and Cocoa.
MUST BUY
Invest in a piece of Ghana’s most famous kente cloth. It’s thick and heavy and worn almost like a Roman toga. Real kente must be hand-woven — if it’s not, it’s not the real deal.
FOOTBALL
Make time to visit Ohene Djan sports stadium. Players such as Michael Essien of Chelsea and Inter Milan’s Sulley Muntari honed their skills in Ghana. A match between the country’s two biggest clubs — Accra Hearts of Oak and Kumasi Asante Kotoko – is always an intense and passionate affair.
HOW TO GET THERE
Several international airlines, including Ghana International Airline, operate regular scheduled flights from Ghana to major cities in North America, Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
CURRENCY
Cedis
National Botanica Gardens, Aburi, Accra, Ghana
Independence Square, Accra, Ghana
Independence Square, Accra, Ghana
Ohene Djan Stadium, Accra, Ghana
THE ROYAL DRAGON @ La Palm Royal Beach Hotel, 1 Bypass
For a mind-blowing meal, go to the Royal Dragon (formerly the Bali Hai). It offers a variety of teppan- yaki-style Indonesian, Thai and Chinese dishes. The chef Kenneth Nyavor is a terrific guy and seeing him cook is part of the fun. Watch out for his flying spatulas and pyrotechnics.
RED CHILLI
Red Chilli was borne out of a passion for African cuisine. It targets the health conscious but African food-loving person and their foods are prepared from the freshest and best ingredients with minimal amounts of oil and salt. They are pleased to cater to your specific dietary requirements for health reasons or otherwise. Tantalise your African Taste buds, call Red Chilli for a lunch delivery, quick business meal, or a leisurely meal with the family over the weekend. They have developed an outstanding reputation in food delivery and event catering over the past three years. Red Chilli has been consistent and prompt in delivering local dishes throughout Accra Metropolis. When you want your lunch to be on time, then just call Red Chilli.
