A Millennial's Guide To Jamestown Accra

Situated where the Gulf of Guinea sends tidings from the Atlantic Ocean, Jamestown happens to be one of the oldest settlements in Ghana. It also happens to be one of the liveliest districts in the Accra region and the go-to place to capture the raw spirits of dance and music like Azonto and Asorkpor.

The Space and the People

The architectural framework, consisting of colonial remnants seeded with shacks made of wood bars and concrete, adds to the hybrid nature of the space. These structures line the shoreline where large canoes with rice-sack sails intersperse with cloth separations and makeshift cabins made by the hardworking fishers.

Several places expose visitors to the distinct tribes and their historic traditions of birth celebrations, funerals, festivals, and rituals through stool persons—mouthpieces with rich knowledge about the cultural elements that knit the society together.

Ga people are known for their corn-dough-based cuisine like kenkey and banku, which they pair with fresh ground pepper or okra soup. One can also sample fried fish, shrimps, octopus, and more from stalls on the street side.

Meanwhile, the JamesTown Café serves cocktails right across ArchiAfrika, which showcases African architecture and design in restored structures near Ussher Fort. Other nearby restaurants include La Gallette, which serves nice Lebanese cuisine, while Yoko’s, Kuku’s Nest, and Khana Khazana each serve Indian cuisine. Expats and locals also frequent Fine Things Pattiserie for cheesecakes. For local and foreign drinks, One Corner Beer Garden or Honeysuckle will take care of that thirst under the warm Jamestown weather.

Fante Kenkey w/ Corned Beef and Chili Sauce

As for transportation, the main source of transportation is the trotro (minibus); one can board almost anywhere on the urban routes. Taxis and Uber services provide generally-affordable rides, and the Okada (motorbike transport) also offers rides to those at vantage points.

Attractions

Boxing has become more like a religion to some young Jamestowners. Some have lived and breathed it all their lives, and they have been mentored to make the cut under veteran sportsmen. Bukom, a suburb of Jamestown, is an age-old crucible for nurturing and supporting the sport with over 20 gyms producing some of the world’s best boxers like Azumah Nelson, Ike Quartey, and Joshua ‘The Hitter’ Clottey.

The annual Chale Wote Street Art Festival has introduced a vibrant alternative visual and performance culture projected by artists based in Ghana and around the world. The Jamestown Lighthouse, originally installed in 1871, offers another interesting stop as does Brazil House. A mile away from the Lighthouse on the same stretch towards the Accra Post Office, this is where the Tabom people, 70 Brazilian returnees, stayed when they were brought back home in 1876.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.