Welcome to Ghana!: The African Union Summit is Here in Accra!

Well, almost. The Ninth Edition of the African Union Summit Head of States opens in Accra on July 1. In the meantime, in Accra, there will be many scenes like these, where you see a Ghana flag hanging in front of a hotel.

This is Alisa Hotel, in a rather exclusive part of Accra. I was there this afternoon in connection with a launch of papers around the debate of an African Union government by the South Africa-based Institute for Security Studies.

Asanka Locals Chop Bar: A Great Place to Eat

Located in the heart of the capital (OSU: Re), where one can find a number of hang-outs for both ex pats and Ghanaians alike, this is not a place where one does, receives, or views any "chopping".

In the local parlance, "chop" means "eat", so a "chop bar" is a place where you go to eat--and not necessarily a bar, even;-)

If ever you find yourself in Ghana, and specifically OSU, ask for it. The prices are reasonable, and you can find a wide variety of food there.

Good weekend!

Itinerant Vendor in Accra

Brace yourself for anytime you have to come to Accra, for these are some of the vendors--or hawkers--you will meet in the streets of the capital.

This particular one in the red polo is selling lozenges, including Mentos.

Meanwhile, a traffic warden directs traffic.

Spintex Road=Byword for Traffic

By now, I am sure any regular visitor might feel compelled to give me a prize for the number of times I have referred to the Spintex Road on this photo blog.

Suffice-to-say, this road, as I have written elsewhere,

"
The Spintex Road in Accra is one of the fastest-growing, traffic-inducing roads just outside the Accra Metropolis. It leads to Teshie-Nungua, and onto Tema."

This is not too far from the Accra Mall, anad at the time that I took this (circa 6.15pm), it was already getting dark, and the single-file of traffic was no longer legendary, but...normal.

It might interest you to know that the Spintex Road has a very rudimentary website: http://www.spintexroad.com, promting speculation in some quarters that it's going to be a rather gargantuan economic hotspot of the capital.

Accra Sunset...all Yellow!

See the first layer of yellow that is part of the picture? Those are yellow/gold rays emanating from the beautiful sunset I captured with my camera phone last night.

I took two pictures, in fact, with this capturing the time as the sun was, as it were, ensconced into the landscape.

We often under-estimate the beauty of these small things, which take some effort to appreciate and ruminate over...

Holy Spirit Cathedral in Downtown Accra

This is Holy Spirit Cathedral, located in Adabraka, in downtown Accra. This part of Accra looks rather modern: the streets are very well-done, and the winding roads all lead to strategic parts of the capital.

Apologies for the absence, but I had to prepare for an interview on one of the private radio stations--Radio Gold on the theme of African integration. More pictures of my fifteen minutes of fame next week;-)

Towards an African Union Goverment--a Public Forum

I understand if many unfamiliar with Accra--and indeed Ghana--might not value the importance that Ghanaians attach to Pan-Africanism, but it certainly is there, considering Ghana was the first African country in the sub-Sahara to achieve independence from the British in 1957.

As such, with the Africa Union annual meeting taking place in Ghana this July, with 53 member AU states present, it was deemed incumbent to hold a public Forum to hear what Ghanaians have to say about the grand project of an African Union government.

I was there yesterday at Ghana's Teacher's Hall (many more pics to come), where I took this picture.

The forum was organised by a private newspaper, The Statesman; a private English-speaking radio station CITI 97.3FM; Metro TV; and a civil society organisation called the Centre for Democratic Development

Yet Another View from a Taxi: Northbound Towards "37"

Seeing as this is my most common form of transport, you will have to indulge me as I bring you--today--another view from a taxi.

This time, a more close-up view, where you can see(as in the sticker) that it's a taxi (see the orange sticker). The location is the other side of the road, where I took the Silver Star Tower picture a while back.

Another Accra Interchange: Ako-Adjei

This rather popular interchange takes most cars, among other locations, to the Ring Road, where you can find Africa's biggest internet cafe, Busyinternet, as well as a slew of banks and airline agents. It also leads to central Accra.

Developments in Accra: New "EASTGATE" Hotel; Accra Mall Roundabout

This is the latest hotel in East Legon, which opened in March for the GHANA@50 celebrations, where I work. It has only twelve rooms--or so I am told--, but are all quite luxurious. It's just opposite my workplace, too. Real swanky place. They make a good spaghetti bolognaise, though!


Meanwhile, though I toook this picture some weeks ago, it shows cement being used to continue the building/maintenance of footpaths leading to the circle that goes to the Accra Mall, where GAME shop is located.

The Rainy Season Has Begun in Accra!

Enough said.