Ashaiman is a municipal district in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. Its capital is
Ashaiman. The municipality had 208,060 people at the 2021 census, up from 190,972 in 2010.
It is one of the smallest districts in Ghana by land area and one of the most densely settled, a
single continuous town immediately north of Tema.
| Region | Greater Accra |
|---|---|
| District capital | Ashaiman |
| Status | Municipal district |
| Population (2021 census) | 208,060 |
| Population (2010 census) | 190,972 |
Towns and Communities in Ashaiman
The site lists 2 towns in Ashaiman.
- Ashaiman
- Lashibi
Geography
Ashaiman lies about 4 km north of Tema and roughly 25 km from central
Accra, on the flat, dry coastal plain. It is effectively one urban block: a grid of unplanned and
partly planned neighbourhoods with almost no open land inside the municipal boundary.
The town grew from the 1950s as housing for workers building and then running Tema’s port and
factories, and expanded far beyond what was planned for it. It adjoins
Tema to the south, with
Shai Osudoku in the open
country to the north. Drainage is poor and parts of the town flood in the rains, since the natural
watercourses have been built over. Lashibi, on the southern side towards the Sakumo lagoon, is the
one substantial planned residential area within the municipality.
Economy and Local Life
Ashaiman’s market is one of the largest in the Greater Accra Region and trades daily,
drawing sellers from the Volta Region, the north and Togo. Wholesale foodstuffs, clothing and
household goods move through it in volume, and the surrounding streets work as an extension of the
market from early morning.
Most residents work in Tema’s port, factories and haulage yards, or in transport, artisan trades
and street commerce within Ashaiman itself. Mechanics’ yards, welders, tailors, carpenters and food
vendors fill the side streets, and rented rooms are the standard housing. The town has a large
migrant population from northern Ghana, and its labour supplies much of Tema’s industry.
Getting There
Ashaiman sits just off the Accra–Tema Motorway, reached by the Ashaiman
interchange or from the Tema roundabout at the motorway’s eastern end. It is about 30 minutes from
central Accra outside peak hours, and only a few minutes from Tema harbour.
Trotros run continuously between Accra’s Tema Station, Tema and Ashaiman’s lorry park, which also
serves long-distance buses north and to the Volta Region. The Tema–Akosombo road passes just to
the north-east.
FAQ
What is the capital of Ashaiman Municipal?
Ashaiman is the capital of the municipality.
Which region is Ashaiman in?
Ashaiman is in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana.
What is the population of Ashaiman?
Ashaiman had 208,060 people at the 2021 census, compared with 190,972 at the 2010 census.
How many towns are listed for Ashaiman?
This page lists 2 towns in the municipality.