Known for his innovative mixed-media portraits crafted from upcycled materials like wax prints and polypropylene bags, Ghanaian artist Kwaku Yaro offers a unique perspective on Accra.
From must-visit art galleries to serene beachside escapes, Yaro highlights the vibrant culture and creativity of the city.
According to cntraveler.com, based in Accra, one of the best places to visit in Africa in 2024, the Ghanaian visual artist namechecks his favorite art markets, beaches, and Afrobeat bars in the hometown that inspires his work.
Where do you go for art?
I’m a part of Artemartis, an African art collective with a studio here in Accra. I also go to Gallery 1957, which was named to commemorate the year Ghana gained its independence. It’s a really cool place inside the Kempinski Hotel, with sleek, earth-toned interiors exhibiting top Ghanaian talent, as well as some international names. I’m currently their artist in residence [the residency ended in January 2024. My show, Look What We Have Seen, invited viewers to engage differently with discarded, everyday packaging materials.
ADA Contemporary Art Gallery is also a lovely place to be. I enjoy exploring the polychromatic displays by Ghanaian artists. Also, don’t miss Villagio just around the corner. These colorful, high-rise luxury apartments are painted in red, green, and yellow based on the geometric patterns of traditional kente cloth. To learn more about Ghanaian art history, I go to the Nubuke Foundation, a futuristic-looking cultural center made up of modern cubic spaces. It was founded to support local artists and lays on a varied arts program.
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Where do you go shopping?
For a real Ghanaian shopping experience, it has to be Makola Market. It’s the biggest marketplace in Accra, a labyrinth of mainly female traders. You can find everything there, from mangoes and fish, to handcrafted shea butter, batik fabrics, and handmade jewelry.
I’m passionate about minimizing environmental damage, so I collect waste materials from the stall owners and use it in my work. I also get materials from Accra Arts Center, an art market where you can find beautiful, traditional Ghanaian-made handicrafts like talking drums, bags, ebony wood carvings, and baskets woven from veta vera grass (elephant grass). For contemporary fashion with traditional twists I’ll go to Accra Mall or West Hills Mall.
Where do you recommend stopping by for a drink?
Republic is a hip bar is in central Osu, one block behind Osu Mall on Oxford Street. Any time of day, there’s live Afropop playing. It’s a great atmosphere. They showcase local performers and DJs—I love their line-ups. If I want to carry on into the night, I’ll head to nearby Front/Back, a private members’ club with an outdoor terrace and a rotation of artworks on the wall, in partnership with Gallery 1957. There’s more of a club vibe. Things kick off around 1:00 a.m., and you can have fun until the morning.
Where should travelers head for a beach day?
Laboma Beach, a couple of miles east of Osu, is a lovely day out. I enjoy soaking in sunsets there. As a Labadi boy I go there a lot, especially to swim. In the mornings, people come out to exercise against the gently crashing waves, and children play football before school. I also love the clean, serene environment of Kokrobite beach and its bars, beach clubs, and hotels. There’s a community vibe as the day goes on. Each joint has a special character and offers its own unique experience.
What’s the best place to eat in Accra?
For authentic, Ghanaian family-style cooking I’ll head to Crossover, a local favorite. It’s a relaxed, semi-outdoor spot which comes alive in the evenings. Lots of communities co-exist in Accra, especially in the Labadi area, so there’s a real mix of food. Go there for the banku! It’s a traditional dish made from fermented maize and cassava dough that’s rolled into soft balls, which they serve with grilled tilapia, rings of fresh bell pepper, and kpakpo shito, an Indigenous, pickle-green chili paste.
