Accra - Post Report Question and Answers
What are some typical ways to socialize, either with local people or with other expatriates? Are there groups or clubs that you can recommend?
AEA (American Embassy Association) club compound has a cafe/bar, playground and commissary, so this ends up being the main place where American families hang out. No compounds have playgrounds, so it's where the nannies take the kids to hang out during the week after school. There are events organized by the Community Liaison Office (CLO) or American Embassy Association (AEA) (food trucks, parties, other events) after work and on weekends. Commissary prices are high (a bag of Tostitos for $11) but it's nice to have stuff when you want it. - Aug 2024
Night life can be busy here if one chooses. Restaurants are plentiful. - Sep 2023
Socializing within the embassy community usually happens at Community Liaison Office (CLO) events, BBQs, school events (I'm guessing), and outings to local bars/restaurants. I don't know of any specific activity clubs but I'm sure they exist. - Nov 2022
Hash house harriers, Ghana mountaineers, mint club activities, - Sep 2022
Restaurants, beaches, pools, art, markets. - Mar 2022
Sports, the school, cultural activities. Vibrant art scene and a lot of crafts. - Nov 2019
Our compound has weekly happy hours. The commissary hosts monthly happy hours and there are other CLO-organized events. Other missions also have regular social events, and there are some expat-oriented restaurants and pubs that hold trivia nights & other special events. There is a also a complex of restaurants that attracts a mix of expats and Ghanaians - sort of a food court but with real restaurants - and they have a dance floor/stage with salsa nights, etc. North American Women's Association holds regular social events ranging from coffees to evening restaurant outings. We've never lacked for social opportunities, and in fact I feel like we could have done more to explore social life outside the expat bubble . . . it's there, but we haven't really connected with it. - May 2019
I wish more people socialized here. There are some restaurants, and I believe people will gather at homes. - Apr 2018
I guess people go to the local expat bars or hang out with other embassy personnel. - Aug 2017
Make your own fun. Compound parties, grab some friends and head to the beach, dinner parties, there are night clubs and restaurants to visit too. - Apr 2017
There is a HASH group, the NAWA, and an Accra Expat Facebook group. - Aug 2016
It's a make your own fun post. The Embassy puts on different events, otherwise you are on your own. - May 2014
There are a few museums and cultural sites in/around Accra. As for entertainment, there is a western-style movie theatre at the mall, a bowling alley, and plenty of bars and clubs. Many of the different diplomatic missions have cultural events, especially the Alliance Francaise and the Goethe Institute. There are some good beaches within a couple of hours from the city. Unless you are willing to spend two-hours in the car for a small payoff, this is a “make your own fun” kind of post. - Apr 2012
Unless you like the club scene, you'll need to create your own entertainment. - Aug 2011
There is definitely an active social circuit. Many people entertain in their homes, not just embassy expats. There are a number of clubs that meet - Caldonian society, NAWA and schools also have balls and dances sometimes. There are some crazy birthday parties for kids here. If you are not careful, it can be hard to balance your life. During holidays, it is probably possible to do something every night of the week. People here tend to be very friendly and open and make friends quickly. - Feb 2010
Restaurants, other houses, religious/special interest groups, music, and White Sand beach club. - Feb 2010
Restaurants, night clubs, casinos, cultural tourism, charity work, golf, etc. - May 2009
