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Cantonments: Why Accra’s Posh Neighbourhood Still Carries a Soldier’s Name

Cantonments. The name rolls off the tongue like it has always meant luxury, diplomacy, and expensive real estate.

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There is a corner of Accra where the streets are quiet, the walls are high, and the cars gliding through are mostly black with tinted windows. Cantonments. The name rolls off the tongue like it has always meant luxury, diplomacy, and expensive real estate.

But here is the part they don’t tell you in the brochures.

Cantonments did not start with ambassadors. It started with soldiers.

The word itself comes from the French cantonner, meaning to quarter troops. And during British colonial rule, that is exactly what this land was used for. A military base. A carefully chosen spot where European officers could live far removed from the noise and texture of local life. It was designed to be exclusive. Controlled. A physical line drawn between the rulers and the ruled.

Read Also: Bigger Than Manhyia: Discover the Grandeur of the Assin Kushea Palace, West Africa’s Largest

The irony is that the separation never really went away. It just changed faces.

Today, the boots are gone. In their place, black SUVs idling outside international schools. The officers have been replaced by diplomats, CEOs, and celebrities. The barracks made way for mansions. But if you walk those tree-lined streets, the original blueprint is still there. Wide roads. Spacious layouts. That unmistakable feeling of being tucked away from the rest of the city.

Cantonments did not accidentally become posh. It was built that way from the start.

The story was recently pieced together by @Sankofatapes on Instagram, reminding us that history does not always live in museums. Sometimes it lives in the places we drive through every day without a second glance.

So next time you find yourself stuck in traffic around Cantonments, look past the walls. Look past the luxury. The neighbourhood is not just expensive. It is historic. A piece of Accra’s past hiding in plain sight, still whispering the strategies of empire through the hum of generators and the click of automatic gates.

Sights and Sounds

EPP BookShop at Legon: A Destination for Students, Families and Book Lovers

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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.

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Sights and Sounds

Where Beauty Meets Relaxation: Inside Niobe Salon and Spa in Accra

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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.

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Sights and Sounds

Calabo Playground Gives Accra Children Room to Play, Explore and Grow

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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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