Accra - Post Report Question and Answers
Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
Good for families who want hired help but kids can't do any sort of socializing on their own (go to a neighboring compound, walk the dog, etc) without supervision. Definitely a sheltered life here. It's also surprisingly hard to get out into nature, which affects our mental health on weekends. There is no outlet for taking a quick hike in the woods and walking to a coffee shop isn't too pleasant. The beach is close but very polluted and full of hawkers. If you're motivated, you'll make it happen, but know that there's a barrier to entry. I went to one of the more highly reviewed beach resorts several hours away and kept pulling broken glass from the shoreline so that my kids wouldn't step on it. - Aug 2024
I think anyone can make Accra work with the right attitude and expectations. - Sep 2023
Accra is generally a family post, though there are a good amount of singles. I never had a chance to date locally but I know several who did with varying degrees of success. - Nov 2022
Yes. - Sep 2022
Great for families with young children; household help is affordable, lots of kid activities, schools are great for little kids. - Mar 2022
Seems to be good for singles, lots of dating for all genders. There are always the visa asks just like everywhere else. Teenagers do ok, there is a mall and some kids do go out and about. Other expat parents seem a bit more lenient on the party scene than is typical for American teens so sometimes that is an issue. Accra itself can seem boring or at least more of a small town. - Nov 2019
I can really only speak to how it's been for us as a family, and we have truly enjoyed it. The school has worked out well for us, our kids found the school community very welcoming and accepting, and we've enjoyed living in a compound with friendly and incredibly helpful neighbors. When I was on medevac my husband was humbled by the support he received from neighbors. For us it's been a great family post. - May 2019
I'm not single so I don't know. I think most of the people posted here who find Ghana most comfortable are families with young children. - Apr 2018
It's probably not a good city for anyone who does not have their own transportation. It can get frustrating walking everywhere. Families should be content with their spacious living quarters and the swimming pools and other families on the housing compounds. Single people will need transportation to go to the restaurants and clubs. - Aug 2017
It is horrible for expat singles: there are very few of them. Couples and families seem to have more options. - Apr 2017
I can only comment that this is a great post for families because there are a lot of other families. Between play dates and birthday parties, time gets filled up pretty fast. There aren't SO many things to do with kids, but as families you make your own fun. - Aug 2016
Good for everyone. There are places to eat and I'm told there is more than one night club. - May 2014
We have friends in every circumstance. Everyone seems fairly happy, if they want to be. It’s easy to get frustrated by West Africa (just try to eat in a decent restaurant in less than two hours), but our community is strong and active. I would not say that it is better or worse for married people or single people, it’s best for people who know how to amuse themselves. - Apr 2012
Singles and couples should do well here. Families are in abundance. - Aug 2011
It is good for families in certain respects - children are included in most embassy events and there are a lot of crazy birthday parties. It is great for couples with children because paying for babysitting here will not require you to take out a mortgage on your house. I would NOT want to be at this post as a single person. Single women here seems to fall into two categories:happy and VERY unhappy. I think dating here can be very tough - especially if the Visa Question comes up if you are attached to the embassy. I honestly think non-embassy expats have it much easier in this regard. - Feb 2010
Families - especially with young children - not sure about singles and couples - as there are a limited number of things to do. - Feb 2010
There is an active expat community here for singles. Couples seems to be able to take more advantage of outings beyond Accra. Families do well enough entertaining each other. - May 2009
