Shopping in Accra

THE LOOM & OMANYE HOUSE
The Artists Alliance has a top-of-the-line gallery at the Omanye House near the La Palm hotel. This is a place where serious art lovers can browse for the prefect piece from a Ghanaian artist.

The Loom is regarded as one of Accra's premier boutique art gallery for high quality objects. Located at Nkrumah Circle, you will see unique art here that you would not find anywhere else in Ghana.

WILD GECKO & GLOBAL MAMAS
These are a couple of wonderful craft shops in Accra. Wild Gecko is on the north side of Accra and offers interesting crafts and home furnishings from Ghana. Unusual for a craft shop in Ghana, they also have handicrafts from a number of other countries in Africa.

Global Mamas is a non-profit and fair trade organization assisting women in Africa to become economically independent. They now employ over 600 people in 7 communities: Batik & sewing in Cape Coast, Ho and Ashaiman, Bead making in Krobo, Weaving center in Ajumako, Shea products in Damongo and black soap production in Adenta. Visitors are welcome to attend Global Mamas Cultural Workshops in Cape Coast and Krobo to learn the craft of these industrious women.

OXFORD STREET
As the name suggests this not a shopping centre but a street where you would find a cluster of very fine and unique shops, restaurants, toy shops, handicraft shops, electronic shops, card and gift shops, a casino, night clubs, ice cream parlours, grocery shops, and more!
Oxford Street got its name from London's Oxford Street. It is also very close to the location of the famous Osu Night Market, an evening event retailing local food and other wares.

INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIR
Traditional handicrafts not only from Ghana, but all across West Africa. There is an arts and crafts bazaar, traditional textiles, and souvenirs that have been crafted in clay, wood, leather and metal. There are also stalls with footwear, tee shirts and various other items for you and your friends back home.

Because of the extensive number of shops here, give yourself plenty of time. You will spend as much time shopping as you do greeting people from countries all over West Africa in a hassle-free environment.

The International Trade Fair is located very close to La Beach and the exotic coffin workshops in Teshie which can make for a full day of crafts, shopping and beach relaxation.

MAKOLA MARKET
Makola Market is a renowned market place and shopping district in the centre of the city of Accra. This busy market, dominated by women traders, sells fresh produce, manufactured and imported foods, clothes, shoes, tools, medicines, and pots and pans. This is where Ghanaians shop, so you will find many ordinary items from everyday life with fewer shops selling handicrafts. However this is an excellent place if you are shopping for African cloth, perfumes, music, DVDs and other such items of daily life that make great gifts. This is also a fun place just to watch the hustle of busy Accra life.

STREET VENDORS
There are street vendors selling everywhere in Accra. So much shopping can be done from the convenience of your car. T-shirts to toilet paper, DVDs, hardware or pet dogs can all be acquired as well as food, drinks and snacks. Just a nod or a wave is enough to have the vendor of choice at your car window showing his wares. This can be a fun way to pass the time while sitting in the unending traffic jams that clog the streets of Accra. But bargaining should be quick so you do not keep the seller chasing your car too far as traffic moves.

ABURI CRAFT MARKET
It you have time to get out of Accra, the Aburi craft market is less than an hour north of Accra, situated along both sides of the main road. Here you can find traditional crafts and carvings for about half the price as you would pay for similar items in Accra. There are many craftspeople here and it can be an interesting afternoon, especially when combined with a visit to Aburi Botanical Gardens or the highlands above Accra. The environment is relaxing and the vendors are very friendly.

CENTER FOR NATIONAL CULTURE vs. TETTEH QUARSHIE
Next to the Kwame Nkrumah monument is the Center for National Culture, which is a popular destination for tourists. This is a huge market with many types of crafts from all over West Africa. You will find just about anything you wish, but be warned that it will be offered to you at a high price. So be prepared to bargain.

For a craft market in the city, the market at the Tetteh Quarshie interchange on the other side of the Accra Mall is a good alternative. Prices will still be higher than outside the city and hassles cannot be avoided, but this less visited market comes with a much welcome vibe when compared to the Center for National Culture.