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Red and white lighthouse in Jamestown Accra

A walking tour of Jamestown, Accra – a place of resilience and beauty

Categories Best of Accra - places to see and things to do in and around Accra, Ghana walks and Walking Tours2 Comments on A walking tour of Jamestown, Accra – a place of resilience and beauty

A year ago when my mom came to visit us, we first discovered Jamestown. Along with Usshertown these are the oldest districts of Accra. With its iconic bright red and white lighthouse and vibrant colourful buildings, this fishing town is an enlivening place to walk through, and although the extreme poverty will likely leaving you heartbroken and humbled, it is the overwhelming sense of resilience of its people that makes the biggest impression, and this strength pulses through the town like a heart pounding after a strenuous run.

The peculiar Posuban shrines and fanciful Asafo flags of the Fante people of Ghana

Categories Ghana walks and Walking Tours, Local Ghana festivals, culture and lifeLeave a Comment on The peculiar Posuban shrines and fanciful Asafo flags of the Fante people of Ghana

It is the delightful mix of bright red, yellow and turquoise colours, shapes and patterns that look like those on playing cards, hearts dangling off balconies that remind me of traditional Scandinavian Christmas ornaments and a blonde man sitting drinking tea at a table with an African man that could be a comic block from a Tin Tin adventure book - these things have me somewhat mesmerized at the photo on my screen. Am I looking at a beautifully illustrated page of a children’s story book or an actual place in Ghana? And how on earth does such an eccentric looking place fit into the culture and history of this country?

Kayayei – the carrier girls of Ghana who bear the load of goods that they will likely never be able to afford

Categories Local Ghana festivals, culture and life, My Accra expat life and musings3 Comments on Kayayei – the carrier girls of Ghana who bear the load of goods that they will likely never be able to afford

We reach the end of the narrow fabric alleyway of Makola market where we have given into ‘just one more piece’ after spotting a unique African wax print of elegant swallows mid flight. The bird prints are quite rare and we don’t see them very often. We are hot and experiencing what I've termed ‘fabric…

Continue reading ➞ Kayayei – the carrier girls of Ghana who bear the load of goods that they will likely never be able to afford

Man wearing mask to prevent Corona, Accra Ghana

The smiling eyes I see on a walk in Accra post lockdown

Categories Ghana walks and Walking Tours, My Accra expat life and musings6 Comments on The smiling eyes I see on a walk in Accra post lockdown

“Good morning Madames! It’s nice to see you, do you have face masks?” I ask as I approach the group of ladies patiently sorting through large silver trays of ground nuts, most of whom aren’t wearing masks. I want to give them some of the ones I have sewn if they don’t.   “Yes, we…

Continue reading ➞ The smiling eyes I see on a walk in Accra post lockdown

The Magical Madness of Makola Market in Accra, Ghana

Categories Best of Accra - places to see and things to do in and around Accra, Ghana walks and Walking Tours10 Comments on The Magical Madness of Makola Market in Accra, Ghana

Makola market is one of those places that expats here seem to love, hate or tolerate for a once off touristy outing. I fall into the first category and this doesn’t surprise me when I think back to how much I used to enjoy trips with my mom to the Durban fleamarkets. Did you know…

Continue reading ➞ The Magical Madness of Makola Market in Accra, Ghana