Sights and Sounds
Tradition Meets the White Dress: The Story Behind Ghana’s Two Wedding Culture
When a Ghanaian couple announces their engagement, one question often follows: “When is the wedding?” Yet the answer is rarely straightforward.
For many couples in Ghana, marriage is not marked by a single ceremony but by two distinct celebrations—a traditional engagement or customary marriage followed by a church wedding, commonly known as the white wedding.
To outsiders, and even some younger Ghanaians, the arrangement can seem confusing. If a couple is already married after the traditional ceremony, why hold another wedding?
The answer lies in centuries of history, culture, religion, and changing social expectations.
Long before European influence reached the Gold Coast, the territory now known as Ghana had well-established marriage systems. Across ethnic groups, including the Akan, Ga, Ewe, Dagomba and others, marriage was recognized through customary rites involving families rather than religious institutions.
These ceremonies often included the presentation of drinks, family negotiations, bride wealth, blessings, and the formal acceptance of the union by both families. In many communities, once these rites were completed, the couple was regarded as fully married.
Marriage was not simply a union between two individuals. It was an agreement between families, clans, and communities.
The Arrival of the White Wedding
The familiar image of a bride in a flowing white gown, exchanging rings before a pastor, arrived much later.
During the colonial era, Christian missionaries introduced church weddings based on European traditions. These ceremonies reflected Christian teachings on marriage and gradually became popular among converts. Over time, church weddings came to symbolize more than religion. They became associated with education, social prestige, and modern aspirations.
Rather than replacing customary marriage, however, many Ghanaian families chose to embrace both traditions.
The result was a uniquely Ghanaian approach to marriage—one that honours ancestral customs while accommodating religious beliefs and contemporary lifestyles.
Two Ceremonies, Two Meanings
Today, the traditional marriage and white wedding often serve different purposes.
The customary ceremony tends to focus on family participation, cultural identity, and fulfilling traditional obligations. The white wedding, meanwhile, centres on the couple’s personal celebration, public vows, and religious commitments.
Some couples choose only a customary marriage. Others opt for both ceremonies. Increasingly, modern couples make decisions based on personal beliefs, finances, and family expectations.
What remains constant is the symbolic power of both events.
In Ghana, two wedding ceremonies do not necessarily represent two marriages. Instead, they tell the story of a nation where ancient traditions and modern influences continue to coexist.
In a single wedding season, families may witness ancestral customs, Christian rituals, colourful kente, white gowns, local languages, and imported traditions—all woven together into one celebration of love.
Sights and Sounds
EPP BookShop at Legon: A Destination for Students, Families and Book Lovers
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.
Sights and Sounds
Where Beauty Meets Relaxation: Inside Niobe Salon and Spa in Accra
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.
Sights and Sounds
Calabo Playground Gives Accra Children Room to Play, Explore and Grow
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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