Cantonments (Accra) Travel Guide - Free

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Cantonments
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Cantonments, Accra blends leafy residential streets, diplomatic history, the W.E.B. Du Bois Centre, local dining and easy access to Ghana’s capital.

Residential Calm and Diplomatic Presence

Cantonments occupies a leafy, well-connected part of Accra between the city’s central districts and the airport corridor. Broad roads, walled compounds, mature trees and low-rise residences give it a more spacious character than many of the capital’s denser neighbourhoods, while embassies, international organisations and government-linked institutions have long shaped its public identity. The area is primarily residential, but its streets also contain cafés, restaurants, specialist shops, schools, offices and discreet evening venues.
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History in the Streets

The neighbourhood grew from land associated with military cantonment during the colonial period, and that history remains visible in its planned layout and institutional character. Its most important cultural site is the W.E.B. Du Bois Centre for Pan-African Culture, where the American scholar and civil-rights thinker spent the final years of his life. The centre’s museum, former residence and mausoleum connect Cantonments with the wider intellectual history of Pan-Africanism and Ghana’s role in African independence movements.

Everyday Accra

Cantonments rewards unhurried exploration rather than landmark-hopping. Visitors encounter shaded streets, diplomatic architecture, churches, contemporary apartment developments and the practical rhythms of a capital district: school traffic in the morning, office movement during the day and a quieter residential atmosphere after dark. Dining is strongest around established commercial pockets and hotel-linked venues, while Koala Shopping Center provides a useful local retail base. Cantonments is also a convenient starting point for reaching Osu, Labone, the central business district and Accra’s airport-side attractions, although those places belong to neighbouring areas rather than to Cantonments itself.

Best attractions in Cantonments

The W.E.B. Du Bois Centre for Pan-African Culture is Cantonments’ defining visitor attraction, combining a museum, archive displays, the scholar’s former residence, landscaped grounds and the mausoleum where Du Bois and his wife Shirley Graham Du Bois are commemorated. It offers a focused introduction to Pan-African intellectual history and Ghana’s place in the independence era. Elsewhere, the neighbourhood’s appeal lies in its planned streets, mature trees, institutional architecture and changing mix of old compounds and contemporary apartment developments. Visitors can browse Koala Shopping Center for everyday goods and local observation, then explore the surrounding avenues by taxi or on foot. Cantonments is also well placed for nearby cultural and dining districts: Labone lies close to its southern side, while Osu and Airport City provide additional galleries, restaurants and commercial attractions outside the neighbourhood.

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Best landmarks in Cantonments

The W.E.B. Du Bois Centre is Cantonments’ most significant landmark, both architecturally and symbolically. The modest house where Du Bois lived in his final years, its surrounding grounds and the mausoleum form a memorial landscape linked to Pan-African scholarship and Ghana’s early post-independence international role. The neighbourhood’s wider landmark character is less monumental but equally revealing: broad planned avenues, mature roadside trees, embassy compounds, institutional buildings and detached residences express its origins as a colonial military and administrative quarter. The 37 Military Hospital is a prominent nearby reference point, though its complex sits at the edge of the wider Cantonments area rather than functioning as a sightseeing attraction. Contemporary apartment developments and commercial buildings now stand beside older compounds, making the streetscape a record of Accra’s gradual change from planned suburb to internationally oriented urban district.

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Explore Cantonments on the map

A handpicked selection of must-see spots in Cantonments, mapped for you.

Best restaurants in Cantonments

Cantonments’ dining scene reflects its international residents, diplomatic presence and affluent residential base, with restaurants and cafés distributed through commercial pockets rather than concentrated on one market street. Visitors will find Ghanaian cooking alongside West African, pan-Asian, Mediterranean and contemporary international menus, as well as coffee shops, hotel restaurants and casual food outlets. Established venues such as Coco Lounge and Capitol Café are associated with the broader Cantonments dining circuit, while nearby Labone and Osu considerably expand the choice without being part of the neighbourhood itself. The area is useful for a relaxed meal between appointments or sightseeing, though visitors should distinguish Cantonments’ sit-down establishments from the more informal street-food culture found in other parts of Accra. Local dishes such as waakye, jollof rice, grilled fish and kelewele may appear alongside international options, depending on the venue.

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Best bars in Cantonments

Cantonments is not Accra’s principal clubbing district, and its evenings are generally quieter and more controlled than those in nearby Osu. Nightlife tends to centre on restaurant lounges, hotel bars, private social venues and contemporary spaces attached to commercial developments, where visitors can find cocktails, music and conversation rather than a continuous strip of late-night clubs. Coco Lounge and similar established dining venues contribute to the area’s after-dark circuit, while neighbouring Labone and Osu offer a more concentrated selection of bars, live-music rooms and clubs. Residential streets become subdued at night, so travel between venues by taxi or ride-hailing car is more practical than walking long distances. Visitors should respect compound security, avoid photographing people without consent and check current arrangements directly with venues rather than relying on assumed opening times.

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Best nightclubs in Cantonments

Cantonments is not Accra’s principal clubbing district, and its evenings are generally quieter and more controlled than those in nearby Osu. Nightlife tends to centre on restaurant lounges, hotel bars, private social venues and contemporary spaces attached to commercial developments, where visitors can find cocktails, music and conversation rather than a continuous strip of late-night clubs. Coco Lounge and similar established dining venues contribute to the area’s after-dark circuit, while neighbouring Labone and Osu offer a more concentrated selection of bars, live-music rooms and clubs. Residential streets become subdued at night, so travel between venues by taxi or ride-hailing car is more practical than walking long distances. Visitors should respect compound security, avoid photographing people without consent and check current arrangements directly with venues rather than relying on assumed opening times.

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Best shops in Cantonments

Shopping in Cantonments is practical and convenience-led rather than based on a large traditional market. Koala Shopping Center is the neighbourhood’s best-known retail reference, offering a supermarket-style stop and everyday goods for local residents, diplomats and visitors staying nearby. Smaller shops, pharmacies, salons, cafés and service businesses appear along the main roads and around residential-commercial developments, while specialist and independent retail is more plentiful in neighbouring Osu and Labone. Visitors seeking Ghanaian fabrics, crafts, souvenirs or a broad market atmosphere may need to travel beyond Cantonments to other parts of Accra rather than expect a dedicated bazaar within the district. The area’s retail character reflects its planned residential history: shops are distributed among compounds and offices, and traffic conditions can make a short-looking journey between them less convenient on foot than it appears on a map.

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Cantonments essentials

Getting There
Cantonments has no underground or rail station, so most visitors arrive by taxi, ride-hailing car or tro-tro along Accra’s main road corridors. Independence Avenue, Liberation Road and Ring Road East provide useful approaches, while the airport-side road network connects the neighbourhood with Kotoka International Airport and Airport City. The 37 Military Hospital area is a useful reference point near the wider district, although exact boundaries vary in everyday usage. Traffic can be slow at peak periods, particularly on routes linking Cantonments with Osu, Labone, Ridge and the airport.
Getting Around
The neighbourhood is possible to explore on foot, especially around the W.E.B. Du Bois Centre and quieter residential roads, but distances between destinations can be longer than the tree-lined streets initially suggest. Pavements are inconsistent, and open drains, uneven surfaces, heat and busy junctions require care. Taxis and ride-hailing services are the most practical way to connect scattered restaurants, shops and institutions. Tro-tros operate mainly along larger roads rather than deep inside residential compounds, so confirm the final walking route before setting out.
Safety
Cantonments is a mixed residential, diplomatic and commercial area, and ordinary urban precautions remain appropriate. Keep phones, cameras and bags secure in traffic, at busy junctions and when waiting beside roads, and use well-lit, active routes after dark. Avoid entering private compounds or approaching embassy security points casually. Drivers may turn into entrances without warning, while pavements can disappear around construction sites or parked vehicles. For late-night journeys, arrange a reputable taxi or ride-hailing car rather than relying on a long walk through quiet streets.
Emergency Situations
Ghana’s general emergency number is 112; police can also be reached on 191, fire and rescue on 192, and ambulance services on 193. Give the operator a clear description of the nearest recognised road, junction, hotel or public institution, since residential addresses can be difficult to identify quickly. The 37 Military Hospital is a major medical reference point near Cantonments, although visitors should confirm the appropriate department and access arrangements in an emergency. Keep accommodation details and a local telephone number available when travelling.
Do's and Don'ts
Dress neatly when visiting the W.E.B. Du Bois Centre, religious buildings or formal institutions, and ask before photographing people, homes or ceremonial activity. Do not photograph embassies, military facilities, security posts or diplomatic residences without explicit permission. Keep noise low near houses, particularly late at night, and do not block compound entrances or narrow pavements while taking pictures. In shops and markets, greet staff and handle goods carefully; in restaurants, check whether a service charge is included before deciding on any additional tip.
Local Tips
Cantonments is best understood as a district of connected pockets rather than a single pedestrian centre. Use the W.E.B. Du Bois Centre as a cultural anchor, Koala Shopping Center as a practical retail reference and major roads as orientation lines. For more independent galleries, cafés and nightlife, nearby Labone and Osu usually offer a denser concentration of choices. Morning walks are more comfortable in the cooler hours, while visitors should allow generous time for traffic when travelling towards the airport, central Accra or the coast.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloAane[ah-neh]
GoodbyeBaabiara[bah-bee-ah-rah]
YesAane[ah-neh]
NoDabi[dah-bee]
Please/You're welcomeMesrɛ wo[meh-sreh woh]
Thank youMedaase[meh-dah-seh]
Excuse me/SorryKoraa[koh-rah]
How are you?Wo ho te sen?[woh hoh teh sen]
Fine. And you?Ma te se. Na wo?[mah teh seh. nah woh]
Do you speak English?Wo pɛ sɛ ɛyɛ ɛnglish?[woh peh seh eh-yeh english]
I don't understandMenteaseɛ[mehn-teh-ah-seh]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseMepɛ menu mu, mesrɛ wo[meh-peh meh-noo moo, meh-sreh woh]
I don't eat meatMente asa[mehn-teh ah-sah]
Cheers!Nkanseɛ![en-kahn-seh-ah]
I would like to pay, pleaseMepɛ sika, mesrɛ wo[meh-peh see-kah, meh-sreh woh]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Bo me[boh meh]
Go away!Kasɛ[kah-seh]
Call the Police!Kasa polis[kah-sah poh-lees]
Call a doctor!Kasa dokita[kah-sah doh-kee-tah]
I'm lostMafa me[mah-fah meh]
I'm illMea me[meh-ah meh]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...Mepɛ kɔ[meh-peh koh]
I'm just lookingMente asa[mehn-teh ah-sah]
How much is it?Wɔyɛ sɛn?[woh-yeh seh-ehn]
That's too expensiveƐyɛ dɛ[eh-yeh deh]
Can you lower the price?Wopɛ nkom[woh-peh en-kohm]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?Afe yi fie?[ah-feh yi fee-eh]
It's one o'clockƐrekɔ sa[eh-reh-koh sah]
Half past (10)Dɔtɔ (teɛ)[doh-toh (teh-eh)]
MorningAnɔpa[ah-noh-pah]
AfternoonAwia[ah-wee-ah]
EveningAnɔpa[ah-noh-pah]
YesterdayNnɛ[nnyeh]
TodayƐda[eh-dah]
TomorrowƐbɔ[eh-boh]
1Kɔtɔ[koh-toh]
2Aba[ah-bah]
3Ato[ah-toh]
4Ano[ah-noh]
5Anan[ah-nahn]
6Anum[ah-noom]
7Awɔtwe[ah-woh-tweh]
8Akron[ah-krohn]
9Asa[ah-sah]
10Deka[deh-kah]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Ɛhe na...?[eh-heh nah]
What's the address?Dɛn adiso?[dehn ah-dee-soh]
Can you show me (on the map)?Wopɛ sɛ wo kɔ ma wɔnka so?[woh-peh seh woh koh mah wohn-kah soh]
When's the next (bus)?Afe na ɛnkyɛ?[ah-feh nah eh-ncheh]
A ticket (to ....)Tikɛt (kɔ ....)[tee-keht (koh ....)]

History of Cantonments

A Colonial Military Cantonment

The name Cantonments reflects the area’s association with military cantonment, a term used for a permanent military station or encampment during British colonial rule. In the Gold Coast, land in this part of Accra was organised around institutional and residential functions connected with the colonial administration and armed forces. The relatively open street plan, compound-style properties and separation from the older commercial core helped establish a pattern that still distinguishes Cantonments from central Accra’s more tightly built quarters.

Planned Residential Expansion

During the later colonial period and the years surrounding Ghana’s independence in 1957, Cantonments developed as a planned residential district for officials, professionals and expatriate communities. Its broad roads, detached houses and landscaped plots reflected ideas of suburban administration rather than the crowded market streets of older Accra. As Ghana’s capital expanded, the area acquired additional institutional uses, including diplomatic residences and offices, reinforcing its reputation as one of the city’s principal government and international quarters.

W.E.B. Du Bois in Accra

Cantonments gained lasting international significance through W.E.B. Du Bois, the American scholar, editor and Pan-African activist who accepted an invitation from Ghana’s first president, Kwame Nkrumah, and moved to Accra in 1961. Du Bois lived in Cantonments during the final period of his life and died in Accra in 1963. The W.E.B. Du Bois Centre for Pan-African Culture now preserves his former home, writings and memorial site, giving the neighbourhood a direct connection to debates about African unity, colonialism, race and intellectual freedom.

Diplomatic Accra and Contemporary Redevelopment

After independence, Cantonments continued to consolidate its role as a diplomatic and high-value residential area, with embassies, official residences, international institutions and private homes occupying many of its compounds. In recent decades, apartment buildings, offices, restaurants and retail premises have appeared alongside older houses, reflecting Accra’s population growth and changing property market. This redevelopment has altered parts of the streetscape without removing the neighbourhood’s defining combination of greenery, institutional presence and residential calm.

Cantonments in Photos

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