Makola Market
Makola Market is an experience unlike any other.
Spread across several city blocks, Makola Market is an experience unlike any other. A cacophony of vehicles hooting, music blaring, stall-keepers selling, and shoppers bargaining, meshes with a myriad of colours, sights, and smells to create a sensory explosion worth savouring. Colourful fruit piled high, buckets of live African land snails, spare car parts, bright textiles, beads, brooms, pigs’ trotters, and Panama hats. You’ll find these and much more at Makola.
The market is divided into sections. Each area houses a specific category of items. For example, central Makola is the best place to buy traditional wax print fabric, Kantamanto is the hub for second-hand clothing, and Rawlings Park’s food stands offer delicious meals and refreshing cold drinks.
Traders usually restock their stalls on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Crowds can be intense then, but there’s also more opportunity to find unusual items and better bargains.
Negotiating a deal with Makola’s astute market women takes practise and skill. But, once you’re used to it, bargaining can be quite a thrill. Please always ask permission before taking photos of these ladies and their customers. They won’t take kindly to you if you don’t and may still ask for a small payment if you do.
If you’re a first-time visitor, it’s best to go with a guide who can show you the ropes and help you navigate the market’s vast maze of unmarked streets and alleyways. Mind your possessions as pickpocketing is common. Sunscreen, a hat, and a bottle of water are a must.
Details
Address:
Kojo Thompson Road and Independence Avenue
Accra
Website:
Contact:
027 489 9535
Opening hours:
Open approx 6am-7pm daily.
