Your ultimate guide to Accra
Accra restaurants and bars, films and theatre, art, gigs, clubs, shops and more...
Studio Badge
Beautiful ‘Made in Ghana' products make us so happy, and Studio Badge has us smiling from ear to ear. Studio Badge is a Ghana-based home-decor design company, designing sleek wooden platters, concrete platters, bowls and vases, all from locally sourced products. The main products are handcrafted from the finest Ghanaian timber, walnut, teak and nim to a high standard. Furthermore, the concrete based products reflect a ‘love affair with concrete’ which will make you see this otherwise boring material in a completely different light. Their aesthetic is minimalist yet bold, clean yet unrefined, and this, as well as the skill and beauty of Ghanaian craft, reflects in all their work. There is a purity to the minimal designs, which makes Studio Badge stand out as a unique homeware designer in Accra. All platters and vases can also be engraved with a name, date, or whatever you wish, to make your item more personalised. With a great, modern website, and an extremely helpful, friendly owner, StudioBadge is the ideal place for your next beautifully crafted gift. *By appointment only until new shop is renovated.
AAKS release new collection
AAKS has just launched their Spring Summer 2017/18 collection and has, as usual, not failed to impress. The new collection is bolder, brighter and even more exciting than their previous collections, and it seems designer Akosua Afriyie-Kumi has outdone her own standard of style with these cohesive yet fun designs. This season's bags have brighter colours, more tassels (yes please) and new, innovative shapes. The collection runs with variations of warm tones of red, orange and navy, with bright pieces for those bold enough to go all out, but warmer, more subtle bags for everyday use. We particularly fell in love with the large carry on doctors bag, which is not only a new shape for AAKS, but has pom-poms, leather and a pop of bright red too – what more could you want? To accompany their existing confidence in weaving, this collection boasts AAKS’s new confidence in the use of leather straps and handles running over the cross body bags - which elevates the pieces to a new level of class and luxury. The campaign, as usual, is beautifully photographed and makes it near to impossible to choose just one piece to buy. Head to Elle Lokko in Osu to pick up one of these beautifully handcrafted pieces.
Get the mag
2017-18 Visitor Guide The NINTH edition of Time Out's Accra for Visitors is your essential guide to the best bars, finest restaurants, coolest shops and must-see sights in Ghana's thrilling capital. In this issue, we're celebrating 60 years of Ghana's independence with a look at the 60 most important things that define Ghana and make it the Black Star of Africa. Elsewhere, we catch up with the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts and discover some new and exciting plans, we look at the exploding art scene in Jamestown, and visit the ANO cultural centre. In our Shopping section, we look at the ethical fashion design in Ghana and in our Arts section we meet rising Ghanaian artist Godfried Donkor. You'll also find dozens more interviews, features and reviews of the very best Accra and Ghana has to offer.Plus, every review has been updated and there are dozens of additions by Time Out's team of local writers who have scoured the city to reveal Accra's greatest hits and exciting hidden delights. When the city becomes too sticky, then our correspondents around the country have suggested the best beaches, national parks and trips out of town. Whether visiting for pleasure or business, on a budget or on an expenses account, Accra for Visitors 2017/18 has it covered. Don't visit Ghana without it. BUY THE DIGITAL VERSION HERE DOWNLOAD FROM THE APPLE APP STORE HERE DOWNLOAD FROM THE GOOGLE PLAY STORE HERE Pick it up from: Koala OsuKoala Airport ResMax Mart 37Wild G
Latest Accra restaurant reviews
Little Havana
Located in the hip, creative, and entrepreneurial enclave around Osu Ako Adjei Park is an old colonial-style building that is seeing a rather flamboyant new lease on life in the form of Little Havana: Ghana and West Africa’s first Afro-Latino inspired street-food style restaurant and bar.
XO Restaurant & Cocktail Bar
It's amazing there hasn’t been anything like this in the city before. Pan-Asian cuisine is such a crowd-pleaser. Whether it’s Wagamama in a Heathrow terminal or food on the streets of Thailand, there’s something everyone will like. XO has steamed into Accra to fill this gap, and it’s done it with great panache.
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
Most popular features
Paa Joe and Elisabeth Efua Sutherland
Ake yaa heko // One does not take it anywhere On Tuesday 21st November 2017, Gallery 1957 welcomed an exclusive group of guests to witness the collaboration of world-famous coffin designer, Paa Joe, and modern performance artist, Elisabeth Efua Sutherland, in their portrayal of traditional funeral customs in Ghana. We were impressed as soon as we walked though the doors, but the real star of the show was the performance that accompanied the opening of this unique exhibition. Guests were led up the escalators by a drumming procession headed by Paa Joe himself, while traditional music and dancing increased our anticipation of what was about to take place. Efua Sutherland’s performance captivated everyone’s imagination and took all our breaths away. A wave of dancers carried in a young girl on a boat, whose death, traditional mourning, funeral and journey to the afterlife were depicted through dance and music. The performance allowed onlookers to move along with it and travel on the journey through the water to the afterlife with the performers. Inspired by Ga and Fante funerals, the coastal hometowns of both artists, there was also a direct coastal theme. The performance eventually ended in the Gallery itself, where Paa Joe looked on as people admired his specially curated collection of coffins and the performance of the afterlife that went along with it. Coinciding with his 70th birthday celebration, Paa Joe stated it was an immense honour and a sort of ‘homecoming’ to h
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
Q & A with the fascinating Yaw Owusu
Time Out: Your use of pesewa coins has become your artistic calling card of sorts. Were there any other materials that came as a close second? Yaw Owusu: At the beginning I mostly painted, but I have always been interested in the processes of transformation, and as such, started experimenting with reactions between other materials like aluminum and steel. T O: The treatment the coins undergo to change colour is complex. Was it a period of trial and error to achieve your desired result, or did you sincerely have to learn some chemistry? Y.O: My encounter with these treatment outcomes was initially by chance – when some coins had contact with seawater during a project at the beach in Cape Coast. However, my little senior high school background in chemistry contributed enormously to the freedom to experiment with several elements and conditions, and I must admit I had no specific idea of what the reactions and activities could yield; I still don’t try to guess what might happen (even though some might be easily predictable). T O: How has Accra changed since you were a boy? Y.O: I grew up mostly in Kumasi as a kid, but I had the opportunity to see most of the other parts of the country. Accra, as the capital, always demonstrated the greatest change each time I revisited, due to the fact that most developmental projects and businesses’ head offices were centralised there. T O: To survive in Accra, one has to be somewhat savvy and entrepreneurial. What creative ideas have y
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
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...
Sonya Sadhwani
Where is your favourite place to shop for clothes? Recently I had a fun shopping trip at My Closet in Abelempke. They had a great variety of fashion garments and I ended up picking a few skirts, shorts and jumpsuits. Another favorite shop of mine is the international brand Mango situated in West Hills Mall and Accra Mall. However, when I have work events, I usually go to pick up an outfit from Nallem or Woodin to have the African touch. Because I was born in Ghana, I am very comfortable in African prints and designs. Where do you take visitors to eat? I have condensed my list of Must Go Restaurants recently. When I have visitors in town, my favorite restaurant to entertain them at is Santoku, where there is an amazing lunch menu and in one hour you can complete a very satisfying meal. In the evenings it has a buzzing atmosphere and is always full so you must remember to make a reservation. The food is of the highest standard and the taster menu is scrumptious. There are many other favorites of mine including Michelangelo for the best wine, home grown rocket, bresaoela and parmesan followed by truffle ravioli. Also La Chaumiere’s cheese soufflé, warm goat’s cheese, Algerian Prawns with a side order of creamed spinach is just yummy! Let us not forget Rockerfellas for great sushi, cocktails and shisha. It is always rocking and you leave satisfied everytime. Where is the best place to get quality food if you're entertaining? When I entertain at home I get my se
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