# Accra

> capital city of Ghana

**Wikidata**: [Q3761](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3761)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accra)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/accra

## Summary
Accra is the capital city of Ghana and a major port city located on the Gulf of Guinea, serving as the country's political, economic, and cultural center. It is the seat of government for the Greater Accra Region and the Accra Metropolitan District, having transitioned from being the capital of the Gold Coast Colony to the independent nation of Ghana. With a 2021 urban population of over 1.7 million, Accra is a large human settlement that plays a critical role in West Africa's logistics and trade networks.

## Key Facts
- **Capital Status**: Accra is the national capital of Ghana (starting in 1961) and the capital of the Greater Accra Region. It previously served as the capital of the Gold Coast Colony from 1877 to 1957 and was briefly part of the Portuguese Empire between 1557 and 1578.
- **Geography**: The city is located at coordinates 5.55602° N, 0.1969° W on the Ghanaian Coastal Plain. It has an elevation of 61 meters above sea level and covers an area of 173,000,000 square meters. It is situated directly on the Gulf of Guinea.
- **Population**: The urban population was 1,782,150 as of the 2021 census. Historical population data includes 491,817 (1960), 1,170,000 (1996), 1,668,000 (2000), and 2,291,352 (2013).
- **Time Zone**: Accra operates on UTC±00:00 (Greenwich Mean Time).
- **Administration**: The city is part of the Accra Metropolitan District. The official language is English, and the postal code is GA. The UN/LOCODE is GHACC.
- **Governance**: The head of government is the Mayor of Accra, a position currently held by Elizabeth K.T. Sackey (since 2021).
- **Connectivity**: The local dialing code is 0302. The city is connected by the official website (ama.gov.gh) and social media handles including Twitter (@AccraMetropolis) and Facebook (AccraMetropolis).
- **Identity**: Native labels for the city include Nkran, Gɛ, and Gaga. Demonyms include Accran (English), Accréen (masculine French), and Accréenne (feminine French). It is distinct from the entity Akra.
- **History**: The earliest written records of Accra date back to 1500. It replaced Cape Coast as the capital city.
- **International Relations**: Accra has sister city agreements with Johannesburg, Chicago, Washington, D.C., Columbia, Columbus, Paynesville, and São Tomé.

## FAQs
**When did Accra become the capital?**
Accra became the capital of the Gold Coast Colony in 1877 and continued as the capital when Ghana gained independence, formally becoming the national capital in 1961.

**What is the population of Accra?**
According to the 2021 census, the urban population of Accra is 1,782,150. The city has seen significant growth from a population of 491,817 in 1960.

**Who is the current Mayor of Accra?**
As of 2021, the head of government is Elizabeth K.T. Sackey. She succeeded Mohammed Adjei Sowah and previous mayors including Alfred Oko Vanderpuije and Stanley Nii Adjiri Blankson.

**Where is Accra located?**
Accra is situated in southeastern Ghana along the Gulf of Guinea. It lies within the Greater Accra Region and the Accra Metropolitan District on the Ghanaian Coastal Plain.

**What are Accra's sister cities?**
Accra maintains international relationships through sister city agreements with Johannesburg (South Africa), Chicago and Washington, D.C. (USA), Columbia and Columbus (USA), Paynesville (Liberia), and São Tomé (São Tomé and Príncipe).

**What is the official language and communication code for Accra?**
The official language is English. The local dialing code for the city is 0302, and the postal code is GA.

## Why It Matters
Accra serves as the primary political and administrative hub of Ghana, hosting the national government and managing the affairs of the Greater Accra Region. Its status as a port city on the Gulf of Guinea establishes it as a vital gateway for international trade and commerce in West Africa. The city's historical evolution from a Portuguese outpost to the capital of the Gold Coast Colony and finally to an independent nation's capital makes it a central figure in the history of colonialism and independence in Africa. Furthermore, Accra's rapid urbanization and population growth reflect broader trends of economic development and demographic shifts in the region, making it a key focal point for policy planning and infrastructure development.

## Notable For
- **Historical Transition**: Replaced Cape Coast as the capital city in 1877.
- **Ancient Roots**: The earliest written records of the city date back to the year 1500.
- **Nomenclature**: Known by native names such as Nkran, Gɛ, and Gaga.
- **Administrative Complexity**: Contains multiple administrative constituencies, including Ablekuma Central, Ablekuma North, Ashiedu Keteke, Ayawaso East, and Okaikwei South.
- **Global Recognition**: Has a high digital footprint with Wikipedia articles in nearly 200 languages and a presence on numerous knowledge bases including VIAF, GeoNames, and MusicBrainz.
- **Diverse Leadership**: Has a long lineage of mayors starting with Benjamin N. O. Addison in 1957, transitioning through periods of military and civilian rule, to the current mayor.

## Body

### Geography and Location
Accra is situated on the Gulf of Guinea, specifically within the Ghanaian Coastal Plain. Its precise geographical coordinates are 5.55602° latitude and -0.1969° longitude. The city covers a total area of 173,000,000 square meters and sits at an elevation of 61 meters above sea level. Accra is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the south, placing it within a critical maritime zone. It is administratively located within the Greater Accra Region and the Accra Metropolitan District. The city operates in the Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) timezone, which is UTC±00:00.

### Population and Demographics
Accra has experienced substantial population growth over the decades. In 1960, the population was recorded at 491,817. This number grew to 1,170,000 by 1996 and 1,668,000 by the year 2000. A 2013 report indicated a population of 2,291,352. The most recent preferred data from the 2021 census records the urban area population at 1,782,150. This demographic expansion solidifies Accra's classification as a "big city" and a "large human settlement." The city serves as a demographic anchor for the region, containing various constituencies such as Ablekuma Central, Ablekuma North, Ablekuma South, Ashiedu Keteke, Ayawaso East Constituency, La Nkwantanang Madina, Okaikwei North Constituency, and Okaikwei South Constituency.

### Governance and Administration
As the national capital of Ghana, Accra houses the central government. The city's governance is structured around the Accra Metropolitan Assembly, with the Mayor of Accra serving as the head of government. The current mayor, Elizabeth K.T. Sackey, has held office since 2021. The position has been held by a succession of leaders, including Benjamin N. O. Addison (1957–1960), E.C. Quaye (1958–1962), and others such as Nat Ashalley-Anthony, Enoch Teye Mensah, C.S. Botchway, and Daniel Osabu-Kle during the 1970s and 1980s. More recent mayors include Ishmael Tetteh Aryeetey (1992–1993), Nat Nunoo Amarteifio (1994–1998), Samuel Adoquaye Addo (1998–2001), Solomon Ofei Darko (2001–2003), Stanley Nii Adjiri Blankson (2003–2009), Alfred Oko Vanderpuije (2009–2017), and Mohammed Adjei Sowah (2017–2021).

Accra's political status has evolved significantly. It was part of the Portuguese Empire from 1557 to 1578. It later became the capital of the Gold Coast Colony in 1877, a status it held until the colony's end in 1957, replacing Cape Coast as the capital. In 1961, it became the capital of the independent Republic of Ghana. The official language used in administration is English.

### History and Identity
The history of Accra dates back to at least 1500, the time of its earliest written records. The city is known by several native labels, including Nkran, Gɛ, and Gaga. Aliases for the city include "عاصمة غانا" (Capital of Ghana in Arabic) and "اكرا" (Accra in Arabic). The demonym for residents is "Accran," with French variations being "Accréen" (masculine) and "Accréenne" (feminine). The city is distinct from Akra. Accra is classified as an instance of a city, a port city, a big city, and a national capital. It has been described by various encyclopedic sources, including *The Nuttall Encyclopædia*, the *Encyclopædia Britannica* (11th edition), and *Meyers Konversations-Lexikon*.

### Infrastructure and Connectivity
Accra is well-connected through various infrastructure and communication networks. The city uses the postal code "GA" and the local dialing code "0302." Its UN/LOCODE is GHACC. The official government website is managed by the Accra Metropolitan Assembly at ama.gov.gh. The city maintains an active social media presence, with accounts on Twitter (@AccraMetropolis) and Facebook (AccraMetropolis). Additionally, Accra has a presence on platforms like Reddit (topic ID: accra) and Quora (topic: Accra-Ghana).

### International Relations
Accra engages in international cooperation through several sister city agreements. These relationships include partnerships with Johannesburg (South Africa), Chicago (USA), Washington, D.C. (USA, established 2006), Columbia (USA), Columbus (USA), Paynesville (Liberia), and São Tomé (São Tomé and Príncipe). These alliances facilitate cultural and economic exchange between Accra and major global cities.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.modernghana.com/news/317134/4/ama-mobilizes-support-for-educational-institutions.html)
2. [Source](https://ama.gov.gh/themayor.php)
3. [Source](https://www.ghanaweb.com/advertising/newsreleases/Relief-and-Aid-International-gives-back-to-Danchira-9647)
4. [Source](https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/politics/elizabeth-sackey-unanimously-endorsed-as-accra-mayor.html)
5. GeoNames
6. [Source](https://books.google.com.gh/books?id=TZWwKiOqJBUC&pg=PA49&dq=official+language+of+Ghana&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjSy_2Wsb3VAhWjBcAKHffADNcQ6AEINTAD#v=onepage&q=official%20language%20of%20Ghana&f=false)
7. [Source](https://www.unicef.org/ghana/media/2891/file/CP%20Profile%20-%20Greater%20Accra%20Region.pdf)
8. [Chicago Sister Cities](http://www.chicagosistercities.com/cities/accra.php)
9. [Source](https://os.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/os/publication/attachments/OS_DC_Accra_Agreement_2006.pdf)
10. [Source](http://www.sister-cities.org/interactive-map/Accra,%20Ghana)
11. [Source](https://www.liberianobserver.com/news/paynesville-accra-sign-sister-city-accord/)
12. Defining Neighborhood Boundaries for Urban Health Research in Developing Countries: A Case Study of Accra, Ghana.
13. BnF authorities
14. Virtual International Authority File
15. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
16. Czech National Authority Database
17. MusicBrainz
18. [Source](http://www.ghana.gov.gh/index.php/about-ghana/regions/greater-accra)
19. [Source](http://www.ghana-embassy.org/)
20. [Source](https://statsghana.gov.gh/gssmain/fileUpload/pressrelease/2021%20PHC%20General%20Report%20Vol%203A_Population%20of%20Regions%20and%20Districts_181121.pdf)
21. Flickr Shapefiles Public Dataset 2.0
22. [Source](https://books.google.com.gh/books?id=aQ5lSDl6UFoC&pg=PP13&dq=first+capital+of+gold+coast&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjm1KPsq73VAhXBAMAKHTx_DWUQ6AEIKjAB#v=onepage&q&f=false)
23. [Encyclopædia Britannica Online](https://www.britannica.com/place/Accra)
24. The City Branding of Accra
25. [Source](http://cnig.gouv.fr/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/CNT-PVM_r%C3%A9vis%C3%A9_2020-01-27-1.pdf)
26. BBC Things
27. [Source](https://service.unece.org/trade/locode/gh.htm)
28. Quora
29. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
30. [iNaturalist](https://www.inaturalist.org/places/inaturalist-places.csv.zip)
31. museum-digital