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Specialities

Ghana is most famous for its Ashanti crafts. These include:

• Kente: A brightly coloured and geometric patterned cloth, worn for centuries by the Ashanti people
• Stools: Crescent shaped stools have been intricately adorned for a variety of ceremonies and purposes. The Ashanti believe that the stool is the receptacle of the soul.
• Fertility Figures: Wooden carvings used by Akan women to aid with fertility.

Of course other Ghanaian tribes also sell a number of local specialities, including:

• Beads: The Krobo are famous for their ceramic and clay beads. Selling them without good reason is however frowned upon.
• Batik Cloth: Brightly coloured wax cloth, introduced to Ghana by people from Niger
• Woven Baskets: The Frafra women are known for woven elephant grass baskets, sold throughout the country.
• Pottery: Clay pots come originally from the village of Sirigu, but are now sold widely throughout Ghana

Shopping Areas

There is a good range of shopping opportunities located throughout the city. Products for sale often include local crafts, imports from West Africa more broadly and a few international retailers.

• Accra Mall: Best for higher end products
• Osu and Oxford Street: Craft vendors line the roadside, while higher end shops are found indoors.
• Centre for National Culture: A series of crafts featuring local talent.

Markets

• Makola Market: A sprawling area - one of the largest in West Africa - filled with everything from trinkets to fish. Approach with time to spare!
• Kejetia Market: Not located in Accra, but one of West Africa's largest and oldest markets
• Centre for National Arts and Culture Handicraft Market: Sells a huge variety of products from all over West Africa

Supermarkets

There is a range in the types of supermarkets available.

The most western option is Shoprite - a grocery store chain from South Africa. There are five locations in the broader Accra region, including one at the Accra mall and one on Oxford Street.

Alternatively, there are a number of smaller and locally owned grocery stores selling a variety of goods throughout Accra. You can also buy a lot of produce in the markets and on the street.