This Region is the Gateway to Ghana and the home of the capital city Accra . Buildings reflect the transition from a colonial past to today's modern metropolis. Hugging the Atlantic Coast , Accra boasts luxury hotels, world class restaurants and an energetic nightlife. Accra offers exotic playgrounds such as La Pleasure Beach, where on the weekends both locals and visitors celebrate a mutual love of the sun, sand and sea. The population of Accra is 3 million and growing.

High Street

is a main thoroughfare where many important historical and contemporary buildings line the route. Among these are the Bank of Ghana, several commercial banks, the exquisite Supreme Court building, the old Parliament House and the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum. This monument houses the remains of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, the first President of Ghana and a celebrated Pan-Africanist. It stands on the old Polo Grounds where in March 1957, Nkrumah and his colleagues stood to declare the independence of Ghana . Another important landmark found on High Street is the Centre for National Culture where artisans and boutiques display traditional textiles, carvings, paintings and other Ghanaian handicrafts. Nearby is the historic Post Office and Jamestown where one can see and experience a taste of some of Ghana 's old colonial buildings and the Accra lighthouse.

Makola Market

is nearby, a large and bustling open-air market located on Kojo Thompson Road where traders from surrounding villages bring their wares every day. Ghana 's National Theatre is a Chinese-designed showpiece and the venue for drama and musical shows, plays, dances and conferences. Not far from the theatre is the International Conference Centre, a modern facility that plays host to prestigious conferences and seminars. Other attractions include the W.E.B. Du Bois Centre for Pan-African Culture (House No 22, 1st Circular Road , Cantonments). Du Bois was a world famous Pan-Africanist and a founder of the United States NAACP who spent his last days in Ghana . His body and wife's ashes are interred in the very house where the couple lived, near El-Wak Stadium. A source of inspiration to many, this Centre now houses a research library and gallery of manuscripts. Accra is also home to the George Padmore Research Library - a renowned educational institution for Africa / America studies. 

The University of Ghana

at Legon lies to the north of the city - one of Ghana 's premier institutions of higher learning, established in 1948. The small but interesting Accra Zoo affords visitors an opportunity to see some of Ghana 's more bashful animals that are difficult to see in the wild. Though you might not expect it, however - one place where you can see wild animals is only an hour from the city. The Shai Hills Game Reserve features a savanna habitat of grasses, magnificent baobab trees and rocky outcrops. Here one can always see baboons, antelope, several types of hawks and eagles, and different species of bats. This important conservation area is part of Ghana 's commitment to the preservation of its natural heritage and wildlife.

Nature Lovers will appreciate the many beautiful beaches in the Greater Accra Region. The La Pleasure Beach is Accra 's main public beach - located at La, 8km east from downtown Accra on the main Accra-Tema road. It has showers and locker rooms with beach umbrellas and chairs that are spread along the beach and near snack bars that offer assorted food and drinks. La Beach is an excellent place to jog and play beach volleyball and soccer.

Kokrobite Beach Resort

is 25km west of Accra and is home to the Academy of African Music and Arts where daily performances are open to the public. Visitors can also take lessons from master drummers. Nearby is the equally popular coconut tree-lined Bortianor Beach .

Ada

is a popular resort an hour's drive to the east at the mouth of the Volta River where Ghanaians and tourists go for watersports. Swimming is safe in the estuary river mouth. Anglers have the opportunity to catch barracuda and Nile perch. Nearby are the salt marshes of the Songow Lagoon, famous for its birdlife. The area is also a breeding ground for several species of sea turtles.

The "Fantasy Coffins" of Paa Joe and Paa Willie are world famous and have been featured in the prestigious National Geographic Magazine. Their carpentry workshops are located in Nungua on the Accra-Tema Road . Among the local Ga people it has become fasionable to be laid to rest in a coffin that bears some relationship to what the deceased did in life. The fantasy coffins come in all shapes and sizes - from vegetables, animals and birds - to fish, airplanes and automobiles. Several international museums have Nungua coffins in their exhibits

Greater Accra is the most industrialized region in Ghana . It has several industries such as the Volta Aluminum Company (VALCO) and textile operations located in the industrial city of Tema .