Life In Accra Ghana
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Life In Accra Ghana
I more often frequent the Rotorheads Forum, but I have a question which is probably most appropriate here. Later next year I'll be moving with my partner to Accra, Ghana. Her job provides accomodation, my job will hopefully continue on a touring basis. I'd be grateful for any perspectives on life and living in Accra.
Thanks in advance.
Thanks in advance.
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Life in Accra cna be pretty good. There are good western shops, some good places to eat and everyone is very friendly.
Check out if your accomodation has a backup generator as power supply can be a bit of a problem at times.
The city is very congested so travelling around Accra can take hours on a bad day, and of course the standard of driving is 'interesting'.
Check out if your accomodation has a backup generator as power supply can be a bit of a problem at times.
The city is very congested so travelling around Accra can take hours on a bad day, and of course the standard of driving is 'interesting'.
Thread Starter
Thanks Stuart, what about the availability of a new/near 4wd? I've seen that there are Toyota and LandRover dealers, any idea if they have a good range?
Also, what's the situation for finding good Aussie/South African wine?
Also, what's the situation for finding good Aussie/South African wine?
Está servira para distraerle.
At the same time as neither answering your question exactly nor making recommendation that you live like a native, the following link may prove educational in your researches as to the psychological history of this smiley nation.
Kumasi City Centre | Photo
Kumasi City Centre | Photo
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No need to worry about Wines, Aussi, South African etc.Accra has pretty much everything you need. On the west African Coast, probably the best and safest city you want to be.Yes there is loads of traffic, heat and unreliable electricity. But you will be hard pressed to find any African city without these problems.
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Re getting some transport. there are many car dealer sin Accra, i recently purchased a brand new Hyundai Santa Fe and it is perfect for Ghana.
Dont bother to spent out on a Toyota 4 x 4 unless you are going to some serious travelling off the beaten track.
The wine choice is veyr good, there are great stores at Accra Mall, and opposite Koala (one of the good western supermarkets in Osu).
Make sure you try the Ghanaian Beer, both Accra Brewery (Produce Star, Stone & Club) and Gulder from the Kumasi Brewery, they are really good.
Dont bother to spent out on a Toyota 4 x 4 unless you are going to some serious travelling off the beaten track.
The wine choice is veyr good, there are great stores at Accra Mall, and opposite Koala (one of the good western supermarkets in Osu).
Make sure you try the Ghanaian Beer, both Accra Brewery (Produce Star, Stone & Club) and Gulder from the Kumasi Brewery, they are really good.
Thread Starter
With my questions on the important stuff like cars and wine answered, I've been asked by my partner to find out the gen on fresh fruit/veg, meat and coffee availability!
My guess is that, like most places, anything can be bought for a price!!
My guess is that, like most places, anything can be bought for a price!!
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Accra...better than Lagos!
Friends of mine worked for Ashanti Gold, lived near Kumasi, and their little daughter used to walk to and from school on her own, as they knew so many people knew her on the route and would be looking out for her.
Unfortunately,and wrongly, it often gets tarred with the same brush as Nigeria.
As most people have said Accra is a very acceptable City and it offers safety, good shops, good restaurants and the standard of schooling seemed high judging from the people I interviewed.
One thing not to do whilst living there is ....... do not blaspheme or swear. Even quite mild words by western European standards can cause eyebrows to be raised, though Ghanaians are too polite to mention it to you.
I worked there for just 4 months but fell in love with the place and the people. If you can spare the time drive down to Takoradi via Elmina and Cape Coast where there are excellent beaches and also the old forts from where slaves were shipped out to America.
A friend of mine went out to work in Ghana and was concerned about taking his family, but they all love it and are really happy they took the plunge.
One thing not to do whilst living there is ....... do not blaspheme or swear. Even quite mild words by western European standards can cause eyebrows to be raised, though Ghanaians are too polite to mention it to you.
I worked there for just 4 months but fell in love with the place and the people. If you can spare the time drive down to Takoradi via Elmina and Cape Coast where there are excellent beaches and also the old forts from where slaves were shipped out to America.
A friend of mine went out to work in Ghana and was concerned about taking his family, but they all love it and are really happy they took the plunge.
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Meat, fruit and veg can all be purchased in the supermarkets. Once you are outiside Accra the fruit stalls at the side of the road are fantastic, the best produce is of course pineapple,
Coffee is a slightly different matter. Most places you go, the coffee is dire Nescafe Instant, you can buy good coffee in the supermarket but it is expensive.
Dairy products are about the most expensive imported items in Ghana. Ghanaians really dont eat dairy products so butter cheese etc are really pricey. 500g pack of Cheddar cheese can easily cost $8-$10.
Coffee is a slightly different matter. Most places you go, the coffee is dire Nescafe Instant, you can buy good coffee in the supermarket but it is expensive.
Dairy products are about the most expensive imported items in Ghana. Ghanaians really dont eat dairy products so butter cheese etc are really pricey. 500g pack of Cheddar cheese can easily cost $8-$10.
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Beef fillet ... really good quality € 17 PER KILO .... salad stuff no problem .. oh and there is talk of a decent coffee bar soon in Osu.. seen the order for a Gaggia !! no more Nescafe
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Guys I lived in Ghana and had my business there. It is unfair to compare it in an "innocent" light to Nigeria. Let us be careful not to create a false sense of security.
Ghanaian Attitude to To foreigners - Generally Ghanaians are very nice and pleasant. To Europeans some can be too nice up to point of worrisome slavishness. To other Africans and Nigerians particularly they can be highly suspicious. I dont blame them because most foreign companies especially banks in Ghana are Nigerian owned. Also think of the fact the whole Ghana population is just the same as Lagos.
Ghana is a safe place. Lagos is not any worse. Lagos is simply demented by its population but crime per capita in Lagos is far lower than Accra.
You will enjoy Ghana in any case focus on your work but do not do any business with anyone without proper care and advice. You may be duped and be taken for a highway ride. Business culture is still primitive.
Ghanaian Attitude to To foreigners - Generally Ghanaians are very nice and pleasant. To Europeans some can be too nice up to point of worrisome slavishness. To other Africans and Nigerians particularly they can be highly suspicious. I dont blame them because most foreign companies especially banks in Ghana are Nigerian owned. Also think of the fact the whole Ghana population is just the same as Lagos.
Ghana is a safe place. Lagos is not any worse. Lagos is simply demented by its population but crime per capita in Lagos is far lower than Accra.
You will enjoy Ghana in any case focus on your work but do not do any business with anyone without proper care and advice. You may be duped and be taken for a highway ride. Business culture is still primitive.
Last edited by SalesConsult; 19th Dec 2011 at 09:39.
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I was based in Lome, Togo, which was . Everyone in Lome said Accra was VERY nice!
I met a US airline pilot who had a house in Ghana, and was going there for a month of vacation. He said a LOT of US airline pilots had vacation homes there.
I met a US airline pilot who had a house in Ghana, and was going there for a month of vacation. He said a LOT of US airline pilots had vacation homes there.
Thread Starter
Well, all the advice is true to form, I feel foolish having asked the questions about food and wines etc!
I think I'm going to enjoy the next few years!
I think I'm going to enjoy the next few years!