Accra - Post Report Question and Answers
What kind of car do you recommend bringing to post, given the terrain, availability of parts, burglary/carjacking risks, etc.? What kind of car do you advise not to bring?
I did not have a car. I got around just fine from walking and using Uber, but in hindsight a car would have been a huge convenience. A crossover with relatively good ground clearance would be ideal, but I also knew people with sedans and minivans who got on just fine. - Nov 2022
4-wheel drive so you can get to beaches, which have rough roads towards the end of the drive. There are beaches 1-2 hours away headed west or east. Hills and river headed 1-2 hours north. Year-round beach weather and weekend getaways are another highlight. You do usually need to pack more than you would in the US, e.g., I take my French press since otherwise you just get an instant coffee packet. - Sep 2022
The vast majority of people here drive an SUV. Toyota is the easiest brand to fix/repair here. Don't bring a brand new car because it will get dinged eventually, but don't bring a very old car that needs a lot of work. - Mar 2022
Something sturdy that can take a licking! Although traffic can be bad here at certain choke points it is not the unbridled chaos you seen in many other capitals. In addition, Ghanians are pretty chill, generally respect lanes, and let people cut in. Being in a big SUV isn't necessary but it it is nice to be up high and it is not particularly hard to maneuver in most parts of Accra. Mechanics are pretty good although you sometimes need to ship in parts. - Nov 2019
We have a Toyota Highlander. It's been great. Small cars with low clearance might be very tricky. Even within the areas of Accra we travel regularly there are fairly rough dirt roads and potholes in major paved roads can be pretty deep. - May 2019
I recommend a small SUV or larger (like a CRV and up). A CRV should be fine. Some of the roads have potholes and it's good to have some clearance on your vehicle. That being said, a very large car would have a hard time navigating small parking garages, narrow streets, etc. - Apr 2018
Bring something that you wouldn't mind getting dinged or dirty. The roads are not so good in a lot of places with huge potholes and open ditches on the side of the road. There don't seem to be any rules concerning traffic, so drive defensively and expect your car to get dented or scratched. - Aug 2017
As big and monstrous an SUV as you can find. Potholes and sewage ditches are on every road and any other car will have problems. - Apr 2017
SUV because of poor quality roads. - Aug 2016
A higher clearance car only because of the massive potholes. You can find car parts here, but they cost way too much. Bring oil and air filters with you. - May 2014
A small sedan (called a saloon car here) would be adequate for all the major roads along the coast and around Accra. Travelling deep into the Volta Region or to the parks in the Northern Region will require a 4x4. Bring air and oil filters with you. Try to purchase tires before arriving, they will run you US$150-200 per tire in Accra (and probably used ones at that price). - Apr 2012
Any vechile is fine. Just know that not all roads are paved and those that are are not in the best of conditions. - Aug 2011
SUVs are common here. In the city it would be OK to have a sedan. Travel outside of the city especially during the raining season requires 4-wheel drive. Bring parts with you. Roads are overcrowded. - Jun 2011
An SUV gives you the most options, especially when traveling outside of Accra. If not an SUV at least a 4WD.A minority has "non SUV cars" and they get around Accra just fine. If you have a US spec car you will want to pack some parts in your consumables. Tires are very, very expensive here. - Feb 2010
A lot of expats bring 4x4 but the roads are pretty good - even going outside of Accra. - Feb 2010
Any kind will do in Accra. SUVs are more comfortable for trips outside Accra, but they are not absolutely needed. - May 2009
