Exploring Kpeshie in Ghana Accra

 Kpeshie is a neighbourhood located in the bustling city of Accra, Ghana. It is a coastal city, situated on the eastern side of Accra. Kpeshie is recognised for its vibrant culture, friendly locals, and delicious food. It is considered a must-see destination in Accra for several reasons.

History and Cultural Heritage

The origins of Kpeshie can be traced back to the Ga people, who are believed to have migrated from present-day Togo in the 16th century. The Ga people settled in different areas of what is now Ghana. They lived in places like the Accra plains and built communities such as Kpeshie in the 17th century. Kpeshie has a rich history shaped by key events.

The introduction of Europeans in the 15th century significantly impacted the region. The Portuguese were the first Europeans to come to Ghana. They started trade with the Ga people, swapping European goods for gold and ivory. 

In the 17th century, the Dutch built Fort Crèvecoeur, later called Ussher Fort. It was near Accra, in what is now Osu, close to Kpeshie. They used the fort to control the slave trade. The presence of Europeans led to the development of trading posts, and Kpeshie served as a hub for trade in the region. 

During the colonial period, the British added Kpeshie to the Gold Coast colony. It was important for the colony's growth as a centre for commerce and trade. Today, Kpeshie is considered one of Ghana's vibrant towns with a rich history and culture.

Kpeshie has a rich cultural heritage expressed through its traditional festivals, music, and dance. Folk drumming from the area is popular and featured at cultural events. Traditional dances are performed by both men and women to accompany the drumming.

Festivals of Kpeshie

The Ga-Dangme people of Kpeshie celebrate several festivals throughout the year, each with unique cultural significance. Some major festivals celebrated include:

• Homowo Festival: This festival is celebrated by the Ga-Dangme people. It marks the end of the hunger period, usually in August and September. This festival involves rituals to commemorate ancestors, offering food to the gods, and participating in colourful processions. A key event is the sprinkling of “kpoikpoi,” a traditional dish made from maize, on the ground or doorsteps to signify the beginning of the new yam season and for good fortune. Other events include cooking kpoikpoi, drumming, and dancing. There are also ancestral offerings and the "Defeating the Hunger" event. This event involves eating kpoikpoi and palm nut soup. People will wear traditional clothes and take part in chieftaincy activities. Ceremonial speeches will also be given. Note that Homowo Festival dates may vary slightly each year.
• Ngmayem Festival: Also known as the Harvest Festival, celebrated in March and April to thank the gods for a successful harvest. It includes rituals, dancing, feasting, and showcasing traditional attire.
• Kpledjoo Festival: Celebrated in December, this is a time for reflection and renewal involving cleansing rituals, prayers, and cultural performances. It's also an occasion for the Ga-Dangme people to connect with their roots and reaffirm their identity.
• Gbiɛ Festival: Also called the Asafotufiam Festival, celebrated in August to honour warriors. It features military displays, firing of muskets, and cultural exhibitions.
• Tejoo Festival: Celebrated in May and June.
• Akplekɛ Festival: Dedicated to the youth and the Ga-Dangme language, including cultural displays, traditional music, and dancing. Celebrated in October and November.

The Kpeshie Lagoon: A Crucial Wetland

The Kpeshie Lagoon is located in Teshie, Accra. It is an important wetland. It has helped control floods in the past. The lagoon supports many types of aquatic life. It also provides resources for local people. The lagoon is on a flat area between the Whistler Barracks corridor to the east and the La-Trade Fair corridor to the west. It forms a marshy zone.

However, the lagoon has deteriorated due to urban pressures, pollution, and mismanagement. Current challenges include encroachments and illegal developments taking over buffer zones, disrupting drainage and intensifying flood risks. 

Pollution from domestic waste, industrial runoff, and untreated effluents from areas like Burma Camp severely degrades water quality. Studies in 2012 noted the lagoon's pollution due to industrial activities and refuse dumping. 

High ion concentrations in lagoonal water could make it unfit for various uses. The loss of mangroves and natural vegetation has further diminished the lagoon's ability to support biodiversity. Lagoons are fragile ecosystems susceptible to pollution and have limited water circulation to compensate for changes. Human activities like agriculture, urbanisation, and industrialisation contribute to high nutrient levels and pollution.

A blueprint for restoration and long-term sustainability has been outlined. Proposed actions include:

• Restoration of Hydrology and Infrastructure: Dredging to remove silt and debris, reconstructing drainage systems to handle urban runoff and prevent flooding, and reinforcing embankments to protect against encroachment.
• Waste Processing Facilities: Building modern facilities, installing sediment traps and interceptors, and introducing bioremediation techniques.
• Preservation of Biodiversity: Undertaking large-scale mangrove reforestation and designing artificial wetland zones.
• Permanent Oversight and Maintenance: Assigning responsibility for long-term protection and conducting regular maintenance and real-time monitoring.

The Field Engineers Regiment (Sappers) are proposed to lead the restoration efforts due to their expertise. Restoration should integrate modern technology like smart monitoring systems and sustainable energy solutions. Community engagement through clean-up campaigns and reforestation is also crucial.

Restoring the Kpeshie Lagoon and potentially linking it to the sea presents opportunities for recreational development, such as eco-friendly boat rides. 

The restoration effort requires robust financial and institutional support, with potential funding from national budget allocations, international grants, public-private partnerships, and community-led crowdfunding. In 2020, Teki Akuetteh started a petition. The Tse Addo community and SSRD-Global supported it. They aimed to stop a proposed land-use change. Their goal was to protect the lagoon from development threats. The Kpeshie Lagoon faces continual threats from pollution and development encroachments.

Things to Do and See in and Around Kpeshie

Kpeshie offers various activities and is close to popular attractions.

• Visit Labadi Beach: This beach is in the nearby area of Labadi. It is a great spot to relax, swim, and sunbathe. It is one of the beaches in Kpeshie mentioned in the sources.
• Attend a Festival: Experience Ghanaian culture and traditions by attending vibrant local festivals like the Homowo Festival.
• Explore Local Markets: Kpeshie has many local markets. The Agbogbloshie Market and the Kaneshie Market are great places to buy souvenirs, clothes, and local food.
• Visit the Aburi Botanical Gardens: Located in the nearby town of Aburi, these gardens offer a relaxing natural escape.
• Experience local culture and interact with the friendly locals.
• Indulge in local dishes such as Jollof Rice, Fried Plantains, Waakye, and Banku and Tilapia.

• Here are some nearby places you can visit:

  • Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park and Mausoleum
  • La Palm Casino
  • Ghana International Trade Fair Centre

  Feel free to explore these locations! You can also visit shopping malls like Palace Mall and Accra Mall.

Accommodation in Kpeshie

You can find a wide range of accommodation options in Kpeshie, Accra, suitable for various budgets. Booking apartments is a popular choice, with prices starting from AED 32 or USD 32 per night. Accommodations provide comfortable stays with clean rooms and great amenities. Enjoy air conditioning, convenient parking, fully equipped kitchens, and free WiFi.

You can use different filters to find the perfect stay. These include price per night, like $7-$35 or $354+. You can also filter by star category, from 2 to 5 stars. User ratings are another option, such as 2 and above or 4.5 and above for excellent stays. You can choose from several amenities. These include:

• Wi-Fi
• Swimming pool
• Spa
• Entire property
• Free cancellation
• Pay at hotel
• Breakfast included

 You can book through platforms like MakeMyTrip and Agoda.com. As of Thursday, May 08, 2025, there were 54 Apartments listed in Kpeshie, Accra on MakeMyTrip.

Specific examples of accommodations mentioned in the sources include:

• Accra Luxury Apartment at Silicon Square: This is a 4-star apart-hotel in Teshi (Kpeshie). It sleeps 2 guests. It is a 6 km drive to Accra Airport. Prices start at $48 plus $16 in taxes and fees per night.
• Accra Luxury Apartments at The Gardens: This apartment is in Kpeshie. It sleeps 2 guests. It is a 4 km drive to Accra Airport. It has an excellent user rating of 4.4 from 515 ratings. Prices start at $65 plus $22 in taxes and fees per night.
• Roots Hotel Apartment By Roots: This is a 4-star apart-hotel in Osu Klottey (In Kpeshie). It has 1 bedroom and can sleep 2 guests. It is a 5.8 km drive to Accra Airport. The hotel has a good user rating of 4.1 from 194 ratings. Prices start at $69 plus $23 in taxes and fees per night.
• Accra Luxury Apartments at The Lul Water: This apartment is in Kpeshie. It sleeps 3 guests. It is a 6.3 km drive to Accra Airport. It has a very good user rating of 4.1 from 41 ratings. Prices start at $78 plus $29 in taxes and fees.
• Accra Fine Suites: This is a 3-star apartment in Kpeshie. It can sleep 2 guests. It is a 5.1 km drive to Accra Airport. The user rating is excellent at 4.9 from 32 ratings. Prices start at $60 plus $21 in taxes and fees per night.
• Accra Luxury Apartments At The Signature: This apartment is in Ayawaso (Kpeshie). It sleeps 2 guests. It is a 4.9 km drive to Accra Airport. The apartment has a very good user rating of 4.2 from 88 ratings. It offers free cancellation and breakfast included. Prices start at $104 plus $35 in taxes and fees per night.
• The Signature Haven: 4 Star Apart-hotel located in Ayawaso (In Kpeshie), Sleeps 2 Guests, 5 km drive to Accra Airport, Very Good 4.1 user rating (154 Ratings), offers Free Cancellation, priced from $69 + $24 taxes & fees Per Night.
• Deluxe Embassy Gardens: Apartment located in Kpeshie, Sleeps 2 Guests, 10 minutes walk to Accra Airport, Very Good 4.1 user rating (68 Ratings), priced from $50 + $18 taxes & fees Per Night.
• Accra Luxury Apartments at Pine Court: Apartment located in Kpeshie, 5.7 km drive to Accra Airport, priced from $115.
• Accra Luxury Apartments: Entire Apartment located in Ayawaso (In Kpeshie), Sleeps 2 Guests, 4.8 km drive to Accra Airport, Excellent 4.6 user rating (1809 Ratings), offers Free Cancellation, priced from $53 + $18 taxes & fees Per Night.
• Chateau NaNa Willine: Located in Kpeshie, offers Beach and Free Wi-Fi, Avg price per night USD 62, Exceptional 1 review.
• Feel At Home & be close to the Labadi Beach (5min): Located in Kpeshie, offers Internet access and Free parking, Avg price per night USD 13, 3 reviews.
• Oak Plaza Hotel East Airport: Located in Kpeshie, offers Beach and Free Wi-Fi, Excellent 18 reviews.
• Marysin Guest house: Located in Kpeshie, offers Free Wi-Fi, Free parking, Bar, Avg price per night USD 25, Very good 3 reviews.
• Robinhood Inn: Located in Kpeshie, offers Free Wi-Fi and Swimming pool, Very good 2 reviews.
• MAC Homes Strawberry Suites & Lounge: Located in Kpeshie, offers Free Wi-Fi, Free parking, Bar.
• Luxe Studio Apartment, East Airport: Located in Kpeshie, offers Free Wi-Fi and Swimming pool, Avg price per night USD 75.
• Saceaas homes: Located in Kpeshie, offers Private beach and Free parking.
• For budget-friendly options, Hotel Green and Benconi Lodge are mentioned as great choices, while Royal German Guest House and Beauty Hotel are listed as more luxurious options.

Getting Around Kpeshie

Kpeshie is easily accessible from the Kotoka International Airport in Accra. The best ways to get there from the airport are by taxi or private car. For budget travellers, a tro-tro (a shared minibus) can be taken from the city centre. Once in Kpeshie, you can explore the neighbourhood on foot or by taxi.

Public transit is available in Accra. For example, to get to the Kpeshie Divisional Police Station in Accra by bus, you can use routes such as 118, 424, 469, 23, and 425. The closest bus station to the Kpeshie Divisional Police Station is Brigade, which is a 2-minute walk away. The first bus line (424) arrives near the police station at 5:01 AM, and the last bus line (23) departs near it at 11:25 PM. The Moovit app can help you find directions, schedules, arrival times, service alerts, and detailed routes for public transit in Accra. It also provides information on prices, costs, and ride fares for buses. Accra has bus as its main transit type.

Health and Medical Facilities

Kpeshie is listed as a district within the Greater Accra Region which has various hospital categories and medical facilities. The Kpeshie Medical Center (KMC) is located in the area. In collaboration with Headquarters Southern Command, KMC held a breast cancer awareness campaign in Teshie in October 2024. The event was part of efforts by the Ghana Armed Forces Medical Services (GAFMS) to raise awareness among soldiers and their families. Medical professionals discussed breast cancer symptoms, treatability with early diagnosis, and factors contributing to its prevalence.

Within the Greater Accra Region, you can find a list of facilities including clinics (e.g., OPEC GOVERNMENT CLINIC, TESHIE COMMUNITY CLINIC, AYIFUA CLINIC, DIVINE CLINIC SERVICES, GAK CLINIC, OAK STREET CLINIC, DANPONG CLINIC, SWAN CLINIC AND MEDICAL LABORATORY, DZIRAM EYE CLINIC, VEBS MEDICAL CENTRE, FAMILY HEALTH HOSPITAL), hospitals (e.g., LA GENERAL HOSPITAL, MANNA MISSION HOSPITAL, LEKMA HOSPITAL, POLICE HOSPITAL), pharmacies (e.g., BERNSWETT PHARMACY, BRIGHT PHARMACY, DAYDEN PHARMACY, FABBY CHEMISTS, HEALTH BOX PHARMACY, HEALTH WATCH PHARMACY, JIMBECK PHARMACY, MOKAT CHEMIST LTD, OPHYL PHARMACY, PALACE PHARMACY LTD, PELBEN PHARMACY, PRO LIFE PHARMACY, SAFEWAY CHEMIST, HEALTH CONSULT PHARMACY, PREMIER POINT CHEMISTS, VICMAG PHARMACY, DANPONG PHARMACY), laboratories (e.g., NUNGUA MEDICAL LABORATORY LTD, RUHR PHARMA DIAGNOSTIC LTD, DANPONG LABORATORY), and maternity homes (e.g., FINGER OF GOD MATERNITY HOME).

Best Time to Visit and Travel Tips

The best time to visit Kpeshie is during the dry season, from November to March, when the weather is sunny and dry. This period is perfect for outdoor activities, but it is also the peak tourist season, which may mean larger crowds and higher prices. The rainy season from April to October is also an option if occasional downpours are acceptable.

Here are some travel tips for visiting Kpeshie:

• Bring sunscreen and insect repellent as the weather can be hot and humid.
• Dress modestly, especially when visiting religious sites, as Ghana is a conservative country.
• Learning some basic phrases in Twi, the local language, can enhance your interactions with locals.

Kpeshie offers a blend of cultural richness, historical depth, natural potential in the lagoon, and a variety of modern amenities and accommodation options. Its location near the airport and other major Accra areas makes it a convenient base for exploring. The local economy is driven by small businesses, industrial and manufacturing activities, and large residential areas known for their multicultural society and quality of life.

Share on Google Plus

About kasqo2004

This is a short description in the author block about the author. You edit it by entering text in the "Biographical Info" field in the user admin panel.