Sights and Sounds
7 Historic Ghana Sites Linked to Maya Angelou, Malcolm X, Du Bois and Civil Rights Icons — Still Standing Today
Ghana occupies a unique place in global Black history. In the years following independence, the country became a magnet for African-American writers, civil rights leaders and Pan-African thinkers searching for political freedom, cultural belonging and global Black unity.
Figures such as Maya Angelou, Malcolm X, W.E.B. Du Bois and George Padmore lived, worked or passed through Ghana during this defining era.
Here are historic places in Ghana that are still standing today and remain directly connected to that legacy:
1. W.E.B. Du Bois Memorial Centre for Pan-African Culture — Accra
Located in Cantonments, this was the final home of W.E.B. Du Bois, who relocated to Ghana at the invitation of President Kwame Nkrumah and became a Ghanaian citizen. The site includes his mausoleum, a research library, and a museum housing manuscripts and personal effects. It remains one of the most important Pan-African heritage sites on the African continent.
2. George Padmore Research Library on African Affairs — Accra
Named after George Padmore, the Trinidadian Pan-Africanist who worked closely with Kwame Nkrumah, this research library is a major intellectual landmark in Accra. Padmore was instrumental in shaping Ghana’s Pan-African orientation and mentored many global Black leaders. Maya Angelou, Malcolm X and other diaspora intellectuals were active in Ghana, and the library stands today as a living archive of the ideas, debates and movements that defined the era they passed through. It continues to serve scholars, journalists and researchers studying African liberation and diaspora history.
3. Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum and Memorial Park — Accra
This site honours Ghana’s first president, whose vision transformed Accra into a global Pan-African hub. Nkrumah personally invited Du Bois to Ghana and cultivated close ties with diaspora activists, creating the political environment that drew Angelou, Malcolm X and others to the country.
4. Independence Square (Black Star Square) — Accra
Completed in the early 1960s, this iconic square was the symbolic heart of Ghana’s post-independence identity. It hosted national celebrations and international delegations during the same period that Pan-African thinkers were living and working in the country. The Black Star remains one of the most recognisable symbols of African liberation worldwide.
5. University of Ghana, Legon — Accra
Malcolm X visited Ghana in 1964, engaging with students, academics and political thinkers during his tour of Africa. While there is no single monument marking his presence, the University of Ghana remains an intact and active institution that reflects the intellectual exchange between Ghana and the African diaspora during that era. Maya Angelou lived in Ghana from around 1962 to 1964, moving to Accra after living in Cairo and working at the University of Ghana’s School of Music and Drama (which still stands today), while also writing for local publications like The African Review and The Ghanaian Times. She documented this transformative period in her book, All God’s Children Need Traveling Shoes, which details her time as an expatriate and her meeting with Malcolm X during his 1964 visit, before she returned to the U.S. to aid the Civil Rights Movement.
6. National Museum of Ghana — Accra
The National Museum preserves artefacts and exhibitions that contextualize Ghana’s independence, Pan-Africanism and the influx of diaspora intellectuals in the 1960s. It provides historical grounding for understanding why figures like Angelou and Du Bois found Ghana so significant.
7. Cape Coast Castle and Elmina Castle — Central Region
These UNESCO World Heritage Sites remain among Ghana’s most powerful historical landmarks. While not tied to specific recorded visits by Angelou or Malcolm X, the castles deeply shaped the emotional and intellectual reflections of diaspora figures who grappled with the legacy of the transatlantic slave trade while living in Ghana.
Why These Places Still Matter
For many in the African diaspora today, Ghana represents more than tourism — it represents return, reflection and reconnection. The survival of these sites allows new generations to physically engage with the spaces that shaped Pan-African thought and global Black identity.
A child searching for their first picture book, a university student hunting for a prescribed textbook or a reader hoping to find their next favourite novel can all begin their search at the same place: EPP BookShop at Legon City Mall.
Located at 7 Lagoon Street, off Giffard Road, the Legon branch brings together books for different ages, interests and stages of learning.
Its appeal lies in the range of titles available, making it a useful stop for families preparing children for school, students pursuing higher education and readers looking beyond the classroom.
From a Small Accra Shop to a Growing Book Business
EPP Books began in 1991 as a modest bookshop in Accra, occupying a space of no more than 20 square metres.
Over the years, it grew into a chain with branches across the West African sub-region, expanding its reach beyond its original location.
That journey reflects the continuing need for accessible books in homes, schools and educational institutions.
For many learners, textbooks and supplementary readers are essential tools, while novels and self-help books offer opportunities for entertainment, personal growth and discovery.
Books for Different Stages of Life
At the Legon branch, the selection spans preschool materials, children’s readers, school curriculum books, secondary-school textbooks and university-level titles. Customers can also browse bestselling novels and books on personal development.
EPP BookShop serves both retail and wholesale customers, giving individual readers and organisations options for purchasing books. If a particular title is unavailable on the shelves, the shop can also arrange to order it.
For residents, students and visitors in the Legon area, the branch offers more than a place to buy reading materials. It provides a practical starting point for the search for knowledge, whether that begins with a child’s first schoolbook or a reader’s next literary adventure.
In a city where daily life can move at a relentless pace, finding a place to pause, unwind and feel refreshed can be a luxury in itself.
At Niobe Salon and Spa, located within Accra’s African Regent Hotel, beauty and relaxation come together in a contemporary setting designed to make personal care an enjoyable experience.
Niobe operates across five locations in Accra, Ghana’s bustling capital, with a philosophy built around the belief that cultivating a personal style should be rewarding, relaxing and fun. Its guiding idea, that “beauty is a feeling,” places the experience of self-care at the heart of its offering.
Facial Treatments for a Refreshed Look
At the African Regent Hotel branch, the treatment menu caters to guests seeking specialised skincare and facial care.
Options include Elemis facials, CACI lifting facials, Biotec Elemis facials, microdermabrasion and peel treatments, as well as Dr Murad facials.
These services offer visitors a range of choices, whether they are looking to refresh their complexion, explore targeted skincare treatments or set aside time for a personal wellness ritual.
The variety also makes the spa an appealing option for hotel guests and Accra residents looking to incorporate professional beauty care into their routines.
The hotel’s location adds to the appeal, offering a convenient setting for visitors who want to combine a beauty appointment with a stay or other activities in the city.
Making Time for Self-Care in Accra
Niobe Salon and Spa welcomes clients during the week and on Saturdays, with Sunday hours listed separately.
However, its published schedules contain some inconsistencies, so prospective visitors should confirm opening times before making a trip.
For travellers discovering Accra or residents seeking a dedicated beauty appointment, Niobe presents an opportunity to step away from everyday demands and make time for themselves.
At its African Regent Hotel location, the emphasis is on more than appearance: it is about making the experience of looking after oneself feel restorative, personal and rewarding.
For children, a good weekend can be as simple as racing a friend, climbing onto a play structure or waiting excitedly for the next ride.
At Calabo Playground in East Legon, those small moments are at the heart of the experience.
Located on Mensah Wood Street, Calabo is a soft play and playground designed for children aged 3 to 10, giving families a dedicated space where young children can stay active, socialise and enjoy unstructured play in a secure environment.
One of the attractions is the chance to climb into a canoe and race against friends—a playful competition that can quickly turn an ordinary afternoon into a hunt for bragging rights.
Children can also explore a range of indoor and outdoor equipment, with activities including a sliding pool and train rides.
The playground is particularly suited to Accra families looking for something different from spending weekends indoors. School holidays also bring an opportunity for children to spend more time playing, learning and interacting with others.
Beyond the equipment, Calabo offers a setting for children to build confidence and friendships through play. Parents can also organise parties, while homemade snacks add to the family-friendly experience.
Entry is priced from GH¢30 per hour, making it an accessible option for families seeking a few hours of entertainment without committing to a full-day outing. Calabo operates on weekends and during school holidays, so families should plan their visits around those opening periods.
For visitors to Accra travelling with young children, Calabo offers a glimpse of the city’s family leisure scene. For local parents, it is a simple invitation to let the children run, race, laugh and play.
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