Your ultimate guide to Accra
Accra restaurants and bars, films and theatre, art, gigs, clubs, shops and more...
The Hot List
Read on for our guide to the week's coolest events and most interesting venues. If you manage to tick off all ten, head back to our home page for daily updates on the best restaurants, cultural events, nightlife, and whatever else Accra manages to think up before our next Hot List is published on Monday.
Touring Volta
It’s the sound of the ceiling fan flapping the mosquito net against the bedhead; it’s the refreshing temperature of the river water you wash with in the morning; it’s the early morning light highlighting the stuttering stream of families filling water in buckets, pans, bowls and jugs, loading them on their head and getting ready to start their day. It’s the little things that have stayed with me – the minutiae of daily life in Atsiekpoe, a small riverside community in Ghana’s Volta Region. The deep clunk of a blacksmith’s hammer striking through red hot metal onto an English-made anvil; the second basket an 11-year-old Moses made for us, determinedly making another after he deemed the first not good enough; my slightly embarrassing attempt on goal from a perfect cross on a dusty pitch. I spent 24 hours among the beautiful people of Atsiekpoe, and it became one of my top five Ghanaian memories. It may even be my favourite. From our hotel in Accra, we (me and my mum) jumped into a 1992 Nissan Safari with bull bars and a roof rack. At the wheel was James Amusu, an affable, kind-hearted man with beads on his wrist, an easy smile and a ready supply of jokes. He would be our driver and guide for the next three days, on behalf of Jolinaiko Eco Tours, a Ghanaian-Dutch-run tour company with a passion for eco-tourism and community development, such as in villages including Atsiekpoe. The itinerary ahead of us included a stay at Ghana’s highest village, an ascent of the country’s secon
Urbanbox's weekly market
The popular home delivery veg box service, Urbanbox, now has their own weekly market in Dzorwulu, where visitors are free to browse around and buy veggies, herbs, snacks and the rest, knowing the produce is sustainable and fresh. This little market is great for families as there is a playground for kids to run around while parents shop.
I Love Oxford Street Because ...
Osu's 'Oxford Street' continues to be a 24-hour hub of activity, and must-see destination for visitors to Accra. With its ever-changing restaurant and retail options there's something to suit every taste and budget, either somewhere on this bustling thoroughfare or in one of the smaller side streets. But, don't take our word for it; here's what some of Accra's international and local residents have to say about this happening hotspot...
The Vibrant Accra Goods Market
The Accra Goods Market is a lovely local shopping experience where you can buy clothes, leather goods and other handmade items. Here you can chat with the young and stylish, shop till you drop or just chill out at the food stalls until the sun goes down. A great place for food, fashion, and lifestyle gifts, the market is set up for entrepreneurs to showcase their new products and it attracts a good crowd of shoppers who are after unique items and gifts. It is a vibrant and loud place where shouting and bargaining is part and parcel of the terrain, so not ideal for small children. The market is held either on weekends and occasionally on weeknights too and makes for a fun Saturday evening shopping excursion. Info: Where: Various places around Accra Website http://www.theaccragoodsmarket.com Facebook https://web.facebook.com/theaccragoodsmarket/
Latest Accra restaurant reviews
AM:PM
Located in the iconic Villaggio Towers, the three colourful buildings that can't be miss is the trendy-yet-casual bistro-meets-sports-bar AM&PM. The menu has something for everyone. From things to nibble on to solid burgers, salads, steaks and fresh local fish and seafood. (The fish and chips come highly recommended by the way.) Unlike most other sports bars, AM&PM have upped the game by bringing on a previous fine dining chef. Worried about prices? Don’t. The fancy Villaggio location won’t blow your budget. In fact, prices are more than fair. Try a solid portion of really good hash browns and eggs for breakfast for only Ghc 35 or a main course for about Ghc 65. While neighbouring restaurant Santoku is for special occasions, and Skybar for nights out and about, AM&PM is a down-to-earth venue for a relaxed time out with friends or before a party. A good place to start the day, weekend or evening. The time-bound name reflects the duality of the concept; breakfast during morning and daytime and sports bar during the evening and nights. While AM hours brings the best of American-style breakfast like pumpkin spice pancakes, eggs in a basket and red velvet waffles, PM hours offers bar food such as burgers, ribs and chicken wings. The black and white images of famous athletes like Muhammed Ali and Serena Williams adorn the walls and entrance, making it quite the popular spot for selfies and photo shoots. In fact, the black iron staircase with the artsy bike installation might v
The Counter
Have you gone through sleepless nights wondering whether the crab cake would ever make it into a burger, you can finally lean back and relax. A new kid is in town: The Counter: Custom Built Burger, a US franchise has opened an outlet in Accra Mall. Guests create their own culinary burger experience by checking off from an impressive list of fresh ingredients on a clipboard menu. There is a five-step process where you can choose from beef, chicken or veggie burger (or the crab cake), a selection of eight kinds of cheese, four toppings and sauce. Toppings range from grilled pineapple to roasted corn and black bean salsa, while sauces include a horseradish aioli, mango chutney and – for a couple of extra cedis - premium guacamole. The decision-making doesn't stop there; for the everlasting traditional burger side dish, select either shoestring or sweet potato fries – or why not mix both. Those counting carbs and calories can opt for a bun-less burger of mixed baby greens instead. With thousands of combinations, The Counter has made sure to cater to every diet imaginable: paleo, vegan, gluten-free – you name it. Burger lovers could, feasibly, dine here every week for the rest of their lives, and still not try everything on the menu. Dominating a corner of Accra Mall, this modern industrial design restaurant features concrete floor, wooden desk, Formica furniture and modern lighting. If the culinary skyscrapers aren’t enough, the menu also has dessert including apple crum
Gold Coast Restaurant & Cocktail Bar
Welcome to The Gold Coast Restaurant & Cocktail Bar. Decorated with lots of nostalgic pictures and pieces on the walls that take you back in time. Freshly cooked seafood, grilled dishes and pizza are on offer and an integrated cocktail bar area that provides friendly, attentive service.
Simret: Taste of Ethiopia
Simret: Taste of Ethiopia is located in the quiet Roman Ridge area of Accra It is set out as a buffet allowing you to try home-cooked Ethiopian dishes such as Dor Wot, chicken with a stew made with home made spices, sega wot, cubed beef slow cooked with hot pepper and spices and njerja, originally named for 'teff', an Amharic word for grain.
Imperial Peking
This well-known Chinese restaurant has opened up another branch near Koala in Airport. Pristine and clean-cut, the interior decoration is atmospheric and rivals not only the taste of the usually delicious food, but competes with the remarkable presentation as well. Ideal for business lunches or small parties, private rooms can be booked.
Most popular features
How to ride a trotro
If you are in Ghana and you plan to move around a lot, you might want to consider using a trotro. They are the most affordable means of transport in Ghana and can be found almost everywhere. For the average Ghanaian, trotros are pretty easy to use but from the outside looking in, it could be utterly confusing for non-locals. On the upside, it does not take much to become accustomed to the four wheeled wonder. Privately Owned To begin with, trotros are not owned by any major transport company, they are mostly owned by the drivers and as such are only bound by Ghana road safety regulations. How to get on Unless they are full, trotros stop at every bus stop along their route. If you are not standing at a bus stop, you usually have to flag them down. Most trotro drivers are very vigilant and will stop once they see you. No departure and arrival time Trotros do not operate on departure and arrival times, the idea is to make as much money as they can on one trip so they only move from the stations once they are filled to capacity (which could actually be overcapacity). However, if you are lucky to pick a trotro already on its way, you won’t have much waiting to do. While on To make sure you do not get lost, you should have a conversation with the conductor (mate) about your destination to determine the best drop off point for you. Because the fare is paid on board, getting change back from the conductor is a hustle; it's one man taking money from about twenty or mo
Interview: Efya
Celebrity songstress Jane Awindor a.k.a, Efya, has been Ghana’s belle of the ball since her debut in 2006. Teasing the paparazzi with her good looks and dazzling audiences with her soulful sounds, Efya’s top-of-the-game status stands strong. Her much anticipated new album, Love Genesis includes tracks featuring collaborations with some of the music industry’s big boys. Taking a breather over a cocktail, Efya opened up to TimeOut about her musical influences, the new album and Accra hot spots. TOA: Which venues do you enjoy playing in? Efya: The National Theatre has to be up there, with the stage that goes up and down. The Republic is always a nice place to perform at because of the crowd, especially when you are doing indie stuff, it’s a great place to express yourself because they don’t judge you. The same goes for Alliance Francaise because it is all about putting on good music and something different. TOA: Who have you collaborated with and which was the best experience? Efya: Ghanaian musicians would have to be Kwame Yeboah, Deep Black, SonniBalli, M.anifest, J-Town, J-Soul. We all work really well together. I’ve not really done any female collaborations yet, ‘cause you know how it is [laughs]! International artists? I’ve done songs with Wizkid, Black Magic, Lynx, Waje, but I think the best would have to be Sarkodie because we have done a lot of music together and it always hits out, we work so well together. TOA: Which Ghanaian and international legends would you
Accrartist: Sandra Krampelhuber
In this, the first in a Q&A series with artists living and, or, working in Accra, we chat to Austrian social and cultural anthropologist and filmmaker Sandra Krampelhuber about her documentary “Accra Power”. Accra Power features young Ghanaian artists Poetra Asantewa, Wanlov The Kubolor, Serge Attukwei Clottey, DJ Steloo, and others, sharing their varied perceptions of power. It also addresses the clashes between modern influences, such as technology and economic growth, and traditional belief systems, as well the current energy crisis in Ghana. The film was shot during the Chale Wote Street Art Festival 2015, and screened at this year’s edition of the festival. I caught up with Sandra soon afterwards, and we chatted about the film and her experiences in Accra. Please tell us a bit about your background.I studied social and cultural anthropology in Vienna. That’s quite a while ago. This is actually my third film. The first film was about women in the Reggae and Dancehall culture in Jamaica, made in 2006. In 2014 I made my second film called “100% Dakar”, which screened last year at Chale Wote. It’s about the young creative arts scene in Dakar. What was your motivation for shooting in Accra? And what was your motivation for using the characters you chose?I’m very interested in urbanity in Africa, and mainly in West Africa. My last film was “100% Dakar” shot in Senegal, and was about the young thriving arts scene in the capital of Senegal. Then, I knew I had to choo
Time Out meets: Akosua Afriyie-Kumi
When did you first have the idea to use these Ghanaian weaving techniques in high end fashion? I grew up around basket bags as a child in Ghana, I used to give them as gifts and also use them for storage. I remember having a lot of ‘I wish it was more like this, I wish it was more like that’ moments… I wanted it softer, almost foldable and also more colourful with blends of colours which were tasteful and modern with a beautiful finish and detail. Building on this idea I started researching into bag designs and fibres and found a lot of attractive benefits which were in line with my vision and ethos I had for my dream brand. I established A A K S after seeing a gap in the market for beautifully handcrafted bags. I knew I wanted to go out on my own and pull together all my passion and talents to create something unique that would be fulfilling both personally and professionally so I embarked on my journey to Ghana to make this happen. What impressed you so much with the skill of the weaving? I was very impressed by their hands skills and the combinations of colours and also the unconscious ethical processes they used in creating baskets. Taking on this idea I begun to explore further into weaving, fibres and what the possibilities could be. Were they already blending raffia and leather? No, weavers weave with only straw and I introduce a new fibre which is raffia in the community. What were the challenges for producing the bags in the way that you wanted? It was
Fight night: boxing in Accra
Ringside with Time Out – cheering on Jamestown's hometown hero...It is one humid hour after midnight in Accra. The floodlights of the stadium stand dazzling bright under a hot black sky. Inside, to a 5,000-strong audience, a man in a basketball vest winds up an old air-raid siren, sending deafening circles of noise up and out into the night. Among the thronged plastic chairs and water-sellers, there is a boxing ring. We have a spectacle at hand - hard-talking hometown fighter Braimah Kamoko, aka the Bukom Banku, is shortly to step under the lights to take on a notoriously gutsy Brazilian challenger. Kamoko gets his nickname from the Accra quarter where he's from - Bukom is one of the poorest neighbourhoods in Jamestown, also home to more than 20 boxing schools. There is no other area of the world with this quantity of boxing schools, and there is no other place that has produced so many world champion boxers in the last 75 years. It is Kamoko's first fight back after an enforced lay-off due to an eye problem. The crowd are expectant, and the man they've come to see appears in suitably dramatic fashion. He is wearing full Muslim dress and dark sunglasses, surrounded by a mob of bawling drummers. Mocking his injury, he walks slowly, tapping his white cane as if feeling his way to the ring. Once there, he milks the swelling applause, stares at his opponent and strips off. The rhythms of the djembe drums keep coming. When he leaves the ring some 30 minutes later
The best of Accra
Accra's top 7 hotels with swimming pools
Deciding on a hotel in Accra? Bear in mind that the city can get hot. Really hot. And while exploring Ghana's capital is incredibly rewarding, sometimes all you'll want to do is laze by a pool in your swimsuit. Take a dip, keep the kids entertained and relax with Time Out's round up of the city's best hotels with pools. And if you're just looking for a place to visit for the day, these pools are available for the use of hotel guests and members of the public alike.
Accra neighbourhoods
Osu
Osu is probably the most happening part of town. The busy Cantonments Road, known to virtually everyone as Oxford Street, is a hub of activity 24 hours a day. Many of Accra's best bars, restaurants and shops are in Osu. Stalls line the street and hawkers hound tourists selling personalised wristbands, fake Rolexes and football shirts. Cantonments Road, between Lokko Road and the busy Danquah Circle, might be known as Oxford Street, but shares little with London's shopping hotspot. The only similarity is the volume of people and traffic. Probably the busiest street in Accra, it's the site of bars, clubs, restaurants and boutique shops. There are no specific tourist sights, but its constant bustle makes it an essential part of any visit.Expect some friendly hassle at the northern end (one scam is to ask your name and then appear 20 minutes later with it embroidered on a wristband), but this dissipates further down. The area is even busier during the evenings when revellers hit the bars. Many of the shops and restaurants are actually off Cantonments Road, on the quieter numbered lanes. At one end of Cantonments Road is the busy Danquah Circle, a roundabout on the Ring Road, named after one of Ghana's founding fathers JB Danquah. The circle is generally crowded day and night. _______________________________________________________________________
Airport
Airport is not only the first place you'll see in Accra, it is, as you'll notice, where most of the development is happening. New malls, hotels (we hear reports of new openings by Radisson Blu, Hyatt, Marriott, Hilton and Hotel Sun by the Villagio group), bars and restaurants - including the unmissable Santoku - are all in what's loosely defined as 'Airport' or 'Airport Residential'. In this site we have split up 'Airport' into 'Airport East' that covers Accra Mall and the Spintex road north of the Airport. In Accra Mall, you'll find plenty of high-end shops such as La Maison and Kiki Clothing, as well as supermarkets, pharmacies and bars, including Rhapsody's. Airport Residential is largely around the southern end of the airport and includes three of Accra's best restaurants: Il Cavaliere Pazzo, La Chaumiere and Santoku, as well as one of the city's most active cultural venues - the Alliance Francaise d'Accra. Also being home to many of the city's offices you'll find other upmarket restaurants such as Nicolino's, Osteria Michelangelo and Branche in the Golden Tulip hotel. Finally Airport City is loosely defined along the Liberation Road and includes places such as the new Marina Mall and Holiday Inn. But best not to get too hung up on the nomenclature - just head to Airport for Accra's most upmarket vibes. Dare we say it? It's overtaking Osu as Accra's hottest neighbourhood.
Accra Central
Along the traffic-choked High Street and 28th February Road, which run parallel to the Atlantic Coast, are many of the major banks, international offices of multinationals and the High Court. The road then opens out and whisks past the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, the Centre for National Culture (Art's Centre) and into Independence Square and Independence Arch. Behind the square is a long expanse of beach, although it's not the best for bathing. The Centre for National Culture is a maze of hundreds of stalls selling crafts, textiles, instruments and antiques from all over Western Africa. And although strictly in the Osu neighbourhood, the beach-bound Osu Castle, also known as Christianborg Castle, is along the beach road and included in this section - it is still the seat of the government until it fully moves to Golden Jubilee House. Locals generally refer to Osu as Oxford Street, the vibrant area a couple of kilometres inland.You'll also find the remarkable (for all sorts of reasons), Independence Square. With modernist and Soviet-influenced lines, the stands around Independence Square can seat 30,000 people. The vast area, built under Kwame Nkrumah, is designed for huge events and military marches, but it is usually empty except for a few soldiers sheltering from the sun. The only times the square comes alive are at commercial events such as concerts and fashion shows, which take place throughout the year. Even if there's not much happening it's worth wandering around just
Labadi
The city's most popular beach is further east in Labadi. At weekends the place is filled with families frolicking in the surf and youngsters playing football. If you go through the main entrance by Labadi Beach Hotel, it costs GH¢3 Mon-Fri and GH¢5 Sat, Sun between 5am-7pm. There are bars, restaurants and some shops down there. Expect loud music and flying footballs. It's not the cleanest beach, so try not to swallow too much water. It's also home to the excellent resorts of Labadi Beach Hotel and La Palm Royal Beach, both with good pools to enjoy. Reggae DJs play on Wednesday night near an open bar that is stocked with local and imported beers. There are occasional live bands, as well as acrobats and other entertainment. The groups come from around Accra as well as from neighbouring countries. The standard is very high and you'll likely catch something that gets you moving. It draws a mix of international students, reggae lovers, rastafarians and the less pious 'rental dreads' looking to hook up with a foreigner or at least sell some Rasta-styled wares. A worthwhile trip if you are in town. Also nearby is the Artists Alliance Gallery, a three-storey gallery home to a large array of Ghanaian artists and sculptors such as Augustine Gokah, Betty Acquah, Nii T Mills, Ebenezer Borlabie, Kofi Setorji and Gabriel Eklou. Ablade Glover, one of Ghana's most respected artists, conceived the Artists Alliance Gallery in the 1960s. He saw the need for a showcase for fine arts in Ghana
The best restaurants in Accra
Best for local cuisine
Where to sample traditional Ghanaian fare While Accra offers a wide range of international cuisine, there's nothing quite like sampling traditional dishes in some of the capital's best-loved spots. From jollof rice to waakye, freshly-caught fish to spicy stews, you're bound to find something on the menu to tickle your tastebuds. Dining Ghanaian-style is an experience for the novice - you'll often find yourself navigating a dish without a knife and fork, for starters. It's all part of the fun. Here's our pick of the best places in Accra for some local flavour. Buka Conveniently situated close to the centre of Osu, Buka is, without question, one of the best lunch spots in the city. More often than not it has the full tables to show for it. Set on the first floor, so there’s a sense of escape from the throng, with lively music and wraparound wooden trellises adding to the ambience. The food itself hinges largely on Ghanaian and Nigerian specialties – dishes include okra stew and eba (a dough ball eaten with stews). Service can slow down during busy lunches. Country Kitchen You would have thought, judging by the government officials, the occasional tribal leader and the Reverend Jesse Jackson (whose picture in the restaurant hangs in pride of place) that Country Kitchen is an upmarket joint. However, the main appeal here is hearty home cooking that remains true to Ghanaian classics. The atmosphere is as relaxed as the staff, but the food is freshly cooked. Fufu, banku and jollof
Best for international cuisine
Time Out recommends the best places to eat without borders - the top tier in Accra's cosmopolitan dining scene Over the centuries foreign influences have seeped into Ghanaian culture - from its days as a West African hub for trade with Europe in the 1400s right through to the colonial era and beyond. This cosmopolitan outlook is reflected in its capital city's restaurant scene, where international cuisine is flourishing. Here are Time Out's recommendations on the best restaurants to find the best non-local delicacies...
Best for a quick snack
Our top three recommended places for your fast-food fix - where to go for burgers, fries and fried chicken with an African twist Barcelo’s Chicken This branch of Accra’s favourite chicken chain also has a bakery and an ice cream parlour. Think Nando’s and you are pretty much there, and the food is of similar quality. The chicken is very juicy, the jollof rice has a bite, and there’s a selection of pepper and peri-peri sauces from mild to steam-coming-out-of-your-ears cartoon style. Salad, coleslaw and other embellishments are available for side dishes. There’s also a selection of chicken burgers. With prices from around GH¢12 for chicken and chips, it’s a reliable and quick option – with a good ice cream for dessert. Chicken Republic Is there room for another fried chicken joint in Accra? Judging by the constant stream of people in here, and at the other two recent additions, it seems so. Rotisserie and fried chicken pieces are on offer as well as burgers, jollof rice and salads. Other locations Spintex (0302 817 094); Ring Road (0302 233 869). KFC Yes, this is a KFC. But as KFCs go, it is one of the more eye-catching – largely owing to a gigantic bargain bucket on a pole out front that glows well into the night. Its arrival on Oxford Street caused a great deal of commotion back in 2011, and this shiny three-floor chicken emporium has been serving streams of enamoured locals cartons of its golden-crumbed fast food ever since. A second branch has opened in the Melcom Plus bui
Accra's cheap eats
Accra has a number of high-quality fine dining establishments - with equally high price tags. Thankfully, places to eat on a more modest budget also abound in the capital. Some of the best are often the simplest, doing a handful of dishes or a speciality dish really well - juicy chicken and traditional favourites like jollof rice often make great, affordable meals. And don't be put off by its humble appearance - often the roadside shack serves up some of Accra's most authentic, flavourful and wallet-friendly bites.
Accra according to...
HE Hans Docter
Why were you interested in working in Ghana? I was in Kenya and in fact I got enthusiastic when someone sent me a copy of Time Out Accra. I looked at it and I saw a lot to do. Ghana is also a regional hub, and the Ghanaian people are fun and accomplished.Has it lived up to expectation? I was bowled over when I got here. The place has got a vibe and the people have style. There’s a great music scene that mixes cultures – African and European and US influences. There’s an aesthetic to the coastal towns too, such as Winneba, Elmina and Cape Coast, and inland the cultures of the Volta region are interesting. The landscapes of the north are beautiful too, plus the area is now more comfortable to visit.Where do you take people to eat? When people come from Holland, I like to visit an Ivorian restaurant that you have in Osu. I prefer the food from French West Africa – I like the style of food but cooked by the Ivorian chefs. There are couple of Ivorian restaurants so you are in touch with street life and with other parts of West Africa. I also like Coco Lounge, and Bread & Wine, but I like the street life the best.Where do you put up visiting friends? I like La Villa Boutique. It has a nice style and the pool is good. We tend to prefer the smaller and cheaper hotels, but if there’s a big delegation then we use the Mövenpick or the Holiday Inn. The small boutique hotels have the most charm such as the Pink Hostel, which is simple and clean.When you want to escape the city where do yo
Marcus Etty
Where do you take visitors to eat? I take them to three places. For local food then there’s a roadside place called Blue Gate that sells the best tilapia and banku in Accra. It comes with a great, spicy shito sauce. I like La Chaumiere too. It feels as though you are relaxing in someone’s living room. It’s good French food. And then Coco Lounge, Urban Grill and Santoku – three design-led top–end restaurants from the same group that are brilliant. Where would you put up your friends who come to stay? Next door at Olma Colonial Suites actually. They are really beautiful apartments in an old colonial house next to Burger & Relish. They are really reasonably priced too. Where do you escape the city? For a day trip I’d go to White Sands. It’s the best beach within an hour of Accra. It’s a five-star resort that is very relaxed. It’s on a lagoon, so you have the beach for that and the sea. They have a restaurant right on the beach so you can walk along and eat great seafood. There are fishermen on the beach too. For longer trips, then I want to go to São Tomé and Príncipe, it’s just over an hour’s flight and becoming more popular. Where do you shop? Koala is great for meat – they’ve used the same farmer for 15 years. And Maxmart 37 too is good for getting those things I miss like Hellman’s mayonnaise, as well as fruit and veg. What sights do you think visitors shouldn’t miss? My mum is coming soon and it’s good that I can show her it’s quite westernised and sa
PaJohn Bentsifi Dadson
Where do you take friends to eat? I bring them to my rooftop. It started out of my love of entertaining. The rooftop parties have become synonymous with entertaining. Eating out, Au Grand Ecuyer is one of my favourites. I was a regular there for years. I always ate outside at the same table. My favourite there is sole meuneiere. The traditional buffet at the Holiday Inn on a Sunday is excellent – a great way to try lots of traditional Ghanaian cuisine. Le Tandem is good for more gourmet food. Where would you take them for after dinner drinks? Republic has a nice buzz about it and I like their philosophy. They are using traditional ingredients in their food and their drinks. Where are your favourite places to stay? Definitely the Stone Lodge in Asutsuare. There’s a huge green lawn. It’s the size of a football pitch and it’s quiet and relaxing. Lou Moon Lodge in Axim has no TV which is great. It’s in a cove near the beach, so the water is very still. It’s a very artistic place. The Beige Village Golf Resort & Spa as well. I love hotels that have activities beyond a pool. This has tennis courts and life-size chess and scrabble board that is great fun. And a golf course as well. Where are your favourite places to visit around Ghana? The Waterfalls at Wli is a good attraction. There’s a 45 minute walk in and the waterfalls are beautiful. I have also just discovered the Enkofiehu Warrior Cave in the Kwahu Mountains in the Eastern Region. It’s where the Kwahu warrior
Nada Moukarzel
Where do you take visitors to eat? I'm lucky enough to be involved with four exciting restaurant concepts in Ghana. I take guests to dine at Urban Grill to experience our unique Afro-Latino concept there, and to Santoku for fine Japanese fusion food. Coco Lounge is great for day-time brasserie dining too. Where would you put up your friends who come to stay? Of course close friends and family stay at our home, where the architect Hubert du Givenchy recently designed our pool house, which is a self-contained guesthouse as well. In terms of hotels, Labadi Beach Hotel means guests can relax beside the sea or La Villa Boutique hotel is good for those wanting to feel in the centre of things in Osu. Where do you escape from the city? On the wonderful beaches of Cape Coast, Kakum and Elmina. Where do you shop? I'm a very eclectic shopper, buying from inspiring places all over the world for my La Maison stores. In Ghana, Vlisco is not to be missed for fabrics, and Wild Gecko is great for local craft. What sights do you think visitors shouldn’t miss? They should tour the markets and enjoy the crazy, weekly carnival that is Labadi Beach! What do you miss about Ghana when you travel? My home, which is filled with Ghanaian art that I’ve collected over two decades. What Ghanaian music is on your playlist? Producer Panji Anoff is always working on amazing mixes, one of which he is launching at the Beyond exhibition at La Maison in October 2015. What souvenirs do you
Titi Ademola
What’s the best meal you’ve had recently? I had a lovely meal at Burger and Relish recently. It was a yummy variety of burgers, fries and salad. The milkshakes were great too! Also Coco Lounge’s Pepper Peperoni pizza is the best and the ambience of their restaurant is really impressive. Buka in the Osu R E area is a long time favorite with delicious meals, consisting of Ghanaian and other West African dishes. Where do you go to find inspiration? My inspiration comes from literally everywhere and everything. Watching old movies, people watching at the mall or attending a social function, shopping at the local market, taking a trip on a weekend outside the city of Accra, studying various cultures within our amazing continent, Africa, as well as beyond. These are all great sources of inspiration when brainstorming and creating a mood board for a collection. Which sights do you recommend to friends? I love taking visiting friends and family to Alliance Francaise for live performances including concerts and plays. The Loom Gallery in Adabraka for a fantastic array of West African art. The Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park is good for an overview of Ghanaian history. The Arts Centre and Makola Market for authentic souvenirs and fabrics. Also DAAR Living supply African interior design, such as colourful candles, bowls and furniture. In the evenings, dinner at a buzzing restaurant with great atmosphere, is a lovely way to end the day...Santoku is always a fun treat. Where do
M.anifest
He's collaborated with the likes of former Blur frontman, Damon Albarn (for his Rocket Juice & the Moon project) and Ghanaian highlife legend Ebo Taylor - rapper M.anifest talks to Time Out about his work, his influences and why he's moved back to Accra...Why did you move back to Accra?It was never the plan to be away permanently. The plan was a simple one actually: get a college education and then return. As fate would have it I got caught up and carried away in my artistic journey. It's been a good ride in Minneapolis.How much influence has US culture had on your music?I would be a fool to deny that my decade-long experience in America hasn't had an effect on me. Being far from home comes with a lot of longing, nostalgia, retrospection and perspective on home and belonging. You have the choice of succumbing to another man's identity in a bid to be more accepted or to learn more about yourself and be stronger in who you are. I believe I chose the latter.Have you always wanted to be a rapper?I had a love for poetry and music at an early age. I went from singing along to my favorite hip-hop records to quietly penning my own rhymes. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I could build a career out of it. Then hip-hop was localized through hiplife in Ghana and the gap closed. It took me till 2005 to lose my fear and embrace my calling. Who are your biggest musical influences?My biggest influences musically are mostly from childhood when I was, for a lack of a better word, most i