Depending on who you ask, Accra is a top destination for a lot of the African diaspora.
Personalities, including US celebrities Charlamagne Da God, Dave Chappelle, and Chance the Rapper, have all expressed a desire to live in Ghana, specifically its capital city.
Timeout named it one of the best places to explore in 2024.
Are you thinking of moving to Accra? The Labari Journal has put together a guide on how to help you get integrated into the city.
Getting Your Smartphone Connected
Once you touchdown in Accra, you have to get connected to a local telecom network.
At the airport, you can easily connect to one of the three major networks by swapping your SIM card (or connecting with an eSIM)
Providers like MTN and Telecel offer mobile plans with high-speed 4G for your data needs.
You’ll be online with a simple download and scan of a QR code on your eSIM device.
*The Labari Journal Recommends MTN for your mobile network*
Getting Around Town
If you’re not renting your own private car while in the city, you’re likely to use ride-hailing services to get around town. (Unless you’re adventurous and want to try your luck with Ghanaian trotros)
You’ll get access to ride-hailing services with popular brands including Uber, Bolt, and Yango.
On these services, you get the standard ride, Priority (which finds drivers faster), and Comfort (which finds higher-end cars) options.
All trips can be paid for either with cash or a bank card.
You can also opt for local taxis, but be prepared to bargain and haggle for the final price to your destination.
Home Is Where The WiFi Is
If you’re working from home or streaming your favorite content, you need to be hooked up to an internet service for all your online needs.
Most areas in Accra are wired with fibre broadband. The major telcos, including MTN and Telecel, offer internet packages at different price points.
MTN offers fibre broadband unlimited plans starting at 375 GHC per month. Telecel, GhanaWiFi, and others offer similar services.
Starlink, the satellite internet service, is also available. With Accra’s usual clear skies and sunny weather, getting a signal and connecting is as easy as pie.
Sending Money
Although cash is commonplace, Mobile Money is the best option to pay for services while staying in Accra. Each mobile network has its own mobile money service you can utilise.
When you first activate a network, you can request to have a wallet created to store money. Each network has its own mobile app that can be used to send money and pay for services.
You can also use separate payment apps in Ghana to utilise mobile money and bank card payments.
ExpressPay is one of the most common payment apps. You can send mobile money, make local bank payments, and pay bills.
Food On The Go
Feeling lazy? Not motivated to make a meal at home? You can order out instead of cooking a meal over the stove.
Food delivery apps are available to make purchases and have meals delivered straight to their doorstep.
Currently, the most popular food delivery service in Accra is Bolt Food.
With the service, you can order various food items, including pizza, burgers, noodles, and more. Payment options include mobile money, bank cards, and cash on delivery.
You can also use Hubtel, MenuFinder, and Chowdeck for your food delivery needs. If you’re more focused on grocery deliveries, apps like NokNok and Konzoom would be more your speed.
Working Outside
If you feel like the four walls of your home or apartment are closing in, you can choose to work outside. Accra offers cafes and co-working spaces for your work needs.
Buro, a co-working space located in Osu, offers spaces for creatives and remote workers to conduct their business. The space offers daily passes as well as weekly and monthly memberships.
Impact Hub, also based in Osu, supports social entrepreneurs and remote workers. The Hub offers flexible membership options by day, week, or month.
Jamestown Coffee Cafe can also double as a workspace, with spots for charging your phones and laptops, and great WiFi.
Fun and Games
Looking to chill back, relax, and have fun? Accra’s got you covered with different activities to raise your heart rate.
You can try your hand at bowling at the Bliss Entertainment Center and Cypher Zone. You can lace up and try roller skating at Skate City.
If you’re more of a competitor, you can try out the growing sport of Padel at various spots in Accra, including Aura Lifestyle Club, S2 Padel, and Padel Club at different padel courts around the city.
For trivia buffs, you can check out weekly Thursday Trivia Nights at Barndoor Beergarden, Pitstop, and Nunguni Grill.
For gamers looking to lock in with a controller or mouse and keyboard, you can check out Arena 233 around the Airport area or Yetra Sports Center at the Accra mall.
Lastly, you can catch some of the latest movies at the Silverbird Cinemas located inside Accra Mall.
There are many things to do, including gallery showings and more. There’s lots to explore in Accra.
You can check out our events page or on event apps like EgoTickets.
