pohm1

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.

stuart101

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'.

pohm1

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?

The Wraith

I've never met an unfriendly Ghanaian and from the little amount of time I spent there it seemed like a pretty cool place to live.
Its neighbours.....not so much!!!

cavortingcheetah

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

Kilo Bravo 1

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.

CentreOfExcellence

Accra...better than Lagos!

stuart101

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.

pohm1

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!!

Kilo Bravo 1

Ohh Gosh, You really must think you are going to the end off the world.

Capetonian

Even comparing it with Lagos is unfair! It's one of the safest and most fun cities in Africa, and undoubtedly the best in the west. I've also never met an unpleasant Ghanaian, and unlike many west Africans, their friendliness is not false, they are not trying to get something out of you (or into you!) they are just genuinely warm, friendly and embracing people.

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.

surely not

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.

stuart101

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.

pohm1

Thanks for the replies, your insights into life in Accra are much appreciated.

Teddy Robinson

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

SalesConsult

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.

atpcliff

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.

pohm1

Thanks again guys, all useful info.

pohm1

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!

stuart101

Great to hear you are enjoying Ghana.

If you haven't discovered it yet, the new Marina Mall has a great supermarket on the lower floor.