Who named Accra? Find out how the capital came to be called.
Accra. The name itself rolls off the tongue with a certain rhythm, evoking images of bustling markets, historic castles, and the cosmopolis of Ghana’s capital. But who, named Accra city? Unlike many modern settlements given names by explorer or decree, Accra’s designation is a journey through history, linguistics, and the collective memory of its earliest inhabitants.
HOW THE CITY OF ACCRA GOT ITS NAME
The Ga people, the native ethnic group of the Accra Plains, are the subject of the most generally recognized and historically sound theory. When these settlers first arrived in the area, likely sometime in the 16th or 17th century, they observed a significant natural phenomenon: the abundance of a particular type of ant. These ants, known for their large colonies, disciplined movements, an...

