Accra is the capital city of Ghana and a metropolitan district in the Greater Accra
Region. The Accra Metropolitan Assembly now covers central Accra only: in 2018 and 2019 the old
metropolis was divided, and areas such as Ayawaso, Ablekuma, Okaikwei and Korle Klottey became
separate municipal districts.
Because of that split, no single district population figure describes the city. The wider
built-up area holds well over two million people, within a region of about 5.45 million at the 2021
census.
| Region | Greater Accra |
|---|---|
| District capital | Accra |
| Status | Metropolitan district |
| Country | Capital city of Ghana |
| Region population (2021 census) | about 5.45 million |
Towns and Communities in Accra
The site lists 49 neighbourhoods and quarters in and around Accra.
- Abeka
- Ablemkpe
- Abofu
- Abossey Okai
- Accra
- Accra Central
- Accra New Town
- Achimota
- Achimota Forest
- Adabraka
- Airport Hills Residential Area
- Airport Residential Area
- Akweteman
- Akweteyman
- Alajo
- Anumle
- Apapa
- Apenkwa
- Asylum Down
- Awoshi
- Awudome Estate
- Ayido
- Banana Inn
- Bubiashie
- Burma Camp
- Cantonments
- Chorkor
- Christian Village
- Christiansborg
- Chuim
- Damba
- Dansoman
- Darkuman
- Dzorwulu Residential Area
- East Dzorwulu Residential Area
- East Legon Residential Area
- East Ridge
- Gbegbeyise
- Jamestown
- Jonkobri
- Kanda Estate
- Kaneshie
- Kokomlemle
- Korle Bu Hospital
- Korle Dudor
- Korle Gonno
- Korle Lagoon Area
- Kotobabi
- Kpehe
- Osu
Geography
Accra stands on the Atlantic coast, on a low plain that rises inland towards the
Akuapem hills. The Odaw River drains through the city into the Korle Lagoon, and the Kpeshie and
Chemu lagoons sit further east. Rainfall is low for a coastal West African city, and the natural
cover is coastal scrub and grassland rather than forest.
The old core runs from Jamestown and Ussher Town on the shore up through Adabraka and Accra New
Town. Suburbs spread west into Ga
South, north-west into Ga West
and east along the coast towards
Ledzokuku–Krowor.
Economy and Local Life
Accra is Ghana’s centre of government, banking, media and services. Ministries, the
head offices of the banks and most national institutions sit within the metropolitan area, and
office employment concentrates around Ridge, Cantonments and the Airport area.
Trade is the other pillar. Makola, Kaneshie, Agbogbloshie and Kantamanto handle wholesale and
retail for the whole southern half of the country. Fishing remains active at Jamestown, Chorkor and
the Korle Gonno shore, and light manufacturing and workshops cluster around Abossey Okai and the
industrial areas.
Getting There
Kotoka International Airport, in the north-east of the city, is Ghana’s main
gateway. By road, the N1 runs east–west through Accra and links to the Tema Motorway; the
Nsawam road heads north towards Kumasi and the Winneba road west towards Cape Coast.
Long-distance buses use the Circle, Kaneshie and Tudu stations, and trotros and shared taxis cover
the city itself.
FAQ
Which region is Accra in?
Accra is in the Greater Accra Region, and is the capital city of Ghana.
What is the population of Accra?
There is no single district figure since the 2018 split of the metropolis. The Greater Accra Region held about 5.45 million people at the 2021 census, and the built-up city well over two million.
Is Accra a metropolitan district?
Yes. Accra Metropolitan is one of Ghana’s metropolitan districts, now covering central Accra after several municipals were split from it.
How many neighbourhoods are listed for Accra?
This page lists 49 neighbourhoods and quarters.