Sights and Sounds
Echoes of the Atlantic: A Walk Through the Living History of Jamestown
The salt-heavy breeze of the Gulf of Guinea tangles with the scent of woodsmoke and freshly grilled tilapia as you step into the labyrinthine alleys of Jamestown.
Above, the scarlet and white stripes of the iconic 1930s lighthouse pierce a hazy blue sky, standing as a silent sentry over a neighborhood that refused to be forgotten. To walk these streets is to feel the heartbeat of Accra—raw, rhythmic, and fiercely soulful.
Here, the past doesn’t sit behind glass; it lives in the peeling paint of colonial storefronts and the vibrant mural-lined walls that serve as the community’s open-air canvas.
The geography of Jamestown is a visual timeline of Ghana’s evolution. At the edge of the Atlantic, the Ga Mashie community thrives around the bustling fishing harbor.
From the vantage point of the old harbor walls, you can watch hundreds of hand-painted wooden pirogues, draped in colorful flags, bobbing on the surf as fishermen haul in the morning’s catch. Just a stone’s throw away, the somber, whitewashed walls of Ussher Fort and James Fort provide a stark architectural contrast.
These structures, remnants of Dutch and British colonial presence, offer a heavy but necessary reflection on the transatlantic slave trade, their dungeons echoing with centuries of history that shaped the modern world.
A walking tour here is an exercise in sensory immersion. One moment, you are navigating the narrow “Brazil House” lane, learning about the Tabom people—formerly enslaved Afro-Brazilians who returned to their ancestral home—and the next, you are surrounded by the chaotic energy of a street-side boxing gym.
Jamestown is the undisputed pugilist capital of West Africa; the rhythmic thud of gloves against heavy bags is as much a part of the local soundtrack as the highlife music drifting from corner bars.
Visitors shouldn’t miss the chance to climb the lighthouse for a panoramic view that captures the duality of the city: the old colonial footprint dissolving into the rising glass skyscrapers of the modern business district.
Jamestown demands that you slow down and engage. It is a place where a simple “Agooo” (the local way of asking for passage or attention) opens doors to hidden courtyard cafes and artisan workshops.
By the time the sun begins to dip, painting the harbor in hues of molten gold and violet, you realize that Jamestown isn’t just a destination on a map; it is a masterclass in resilience and the enduring power of community.
Sights and Sounds
Trade Accra’s Traffic for Treetops at Legon Botanical Gardens
A few minutes can make all the difference in Accra. One moment you’re surrounded by busy roads and constant movement; the next, you’re gliding across a lake, cycling beneath tall trees, or stepping onto a canopy walk high above the ground.
That contrast is what makes Legon Botanical Gardens one of the city’s most rewarding outdoor escapes.
Located beside the University of Ghana in Legon, the gardens have evolved into more than a traditional botanical park.
They offer a rare combination of adventure and quiet reflection, making the space appealing to families, couples, solo travellers and groups of friends looking to experience a different side of Ghana’s capital.
Visitors who enjoy active days can rent bicycles and explore the network of cycling trails that wind through the grounds.
The adventure continues with rope courses and the popular canopy walk, where elevated pathways provide a fresh perspective of the gardens’ lush surroundings.
Those seeking a slower pace will find plenty to enjoy as well. The lake creates a peaceful setting for canoeing or a relaxing fishing session, offering a welcome break from the city’s fast rhythm.

It’s this balance of excitement and calm that gives the gardens their broad appeal, allowing visitors of different ages and interests to share the same space without feeling rushed.
With entry fees starting from GHS 15—while activities are priced separately—the gardens offer an accessible day out for many visitors.
For travellers eager to explore even more of Ghana’s green spaces, the Aburi Botanical Gardens, about an hour’s drive from Accra, provide another scenic option.
But for those staying in the capital, Legon Botanical Gardens proves that sometimes the best getaway is closer than expected.
Sights and Sounds
Speed Meets Sunshine: Inside Bortianor’s Go-Kart Playground Near Kokrobite
The first thing you notice at House Party Go-Karts is the sound—a burst of laughter followed by the whine of engines cutting through the afternoon air.
Tucked away in Bortianor, just off Accra’s Kokrobite Beach Road, this outdoor entertainment hub has become the kind of place where a friendly race can quickly turn into an unforgettable day out.

For visitors exploring Ghana beyond the city’s museums and markets, House Party Go-Karts offers a different side of Accra: one built around recreation, music, and shared experiences.
The venue gained an extra dose of pop-culture appeal after appearing in Kuami Eugene’s hit “Angela” music video, giving fans another reason to recognise its colourful setting.
The main attraction is the outdoor go-kart track, designed for everyone from first-time drivers to competitive racers eager to shave seconds off their lap times.
The experience is fast-paced without feeling intimidating, making it a popular choice for families, couples, and groups of friends.
Away from the track, the entertainment continues. An indoor arcade blends classic and modern games, while the on-site restaurant offers a relaxed space to recharge with local and international dishes after the adrenaline rush.
Open daily from 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., the venue is well positioned for an afternoon adventure that can stretch into the evening.

Better still, its location near Bojo Beach makes it easy to combine a seaside escape with a few laps around the circuit.
With weekday sessions starting at GH¢80 and weekend sessions at GH¢100, House Party Go-Karts proves that some of Accra’s best memories are made not by standing still, but by chasing the next corner.
Sights and Sounds
How 1,300 Books Became One of Africa’s Most Important Literary Spaces
Every remarkable library begins with a single book. The Library of Africa and the African Diaspora (LOATAD) began with 1,300 of them—all from one woman’s personal collection.
When Sylvia Arthur founded LOATAD in Accra in 2017, she was not simply opening another library.
She was creating a home for stories that too often sit on the margins of mainstream bookshelves: works by African writers and voices from the global African diaspora.
Built from books Arthur collected over five years, LOATAD has grown into one of Ghana’s most distinctive cultural spaces. It reflects a simple but powerful idea: that access to African literature should not be an exception, but an everyday experience.

In a city where creative communities continue to shape conversations about identity, history, and belonging, LOATAD functions as more than a reading room. It has become a meeting place where readers, writers, artists, and researchers gather around shared narratives. The shelves invite visitors to move across continents and generations, tracing connections between Ghana, the Caribbean, Europe, and the Americas through literature.
The library’s significance extends beyond its carefully curated collection. It challenges long-standing assumptions about whose stories deserve preservation and whose histories deserve space on the shelf. By centering African and diasporic voices, LOATAD helps bridge historical distances created by migration, colonialism, and displacement.
For international visitors, the library offers an intimate introduction to contemporary Ghana’s literary landscape. For local readers, it provides something equally valuable—a place where African stories are not treated as a special category, but as the foundation of the collection itself.
What began as one person’s bookshelf has become a lasting cultural landmark, proving that libraries can preserve not only books, but belonging.
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