Accra is the capital city of the African nation of Ghana, as well as the largest. http://population.mongabay.com/population/ghana/2306104/accra It is located in the south of the country, on the Atlantic Ocean. It is the economic, cultural, and political capital of Ghana. Over 70% of all industry is located in and around the Accra area. http://ghana-net.com/accra.aspx All of the major trading firms, banks, and public administrations for Ghana are based in Accra. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/3055/Accra

The greater Accra area boasts a population of about 4,358,300. http://www.citypopulation.de/Ghana.html Accra was originally settled by indigenous tribes, but expanded after the Dutch built trading posts nearby. It was the capital of the British Gold Coast colony when it was annexed in 1873, and became the current capital of the Republic of Ghana when the country gained independence in 1957. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/3055/Accra

Accra lies on the coordinates 5° 33' north, 0° 12' west. http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/city.html?n=4 The city borders the Bay of Guinea, and lies partially on a cliff, spreading upward into the Accra plains. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/3055/Accra It borders the Volta River delta. Accra is in a tropical savanna climate zone, and experiences near-uniform year-round temperature (78.8 degrees Fahrenheit average) due to its proximity to the equator. http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/world/city_guides/results.shtml?tt=TT000240 8 http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/geography/climate.php

Accra was settled in the sixteenth century by the Ga people of what is today southern Ghana. It became a port for doing business with the Europeans, and gained status as a center of the slave trade in the region. In 1873, the British seized control of what was the Gold Coast colony and made Accra its capital. In the early 1900's Accra benefited from an expanding railway system and became a leading exporter of cocoa, leading to an economic and population boom. After a period of expansion and growth, Accra became a focal point for the riots and demonstrations that eventually led to Ghana’s independence in 1957. http://www.africanexecutive.com/modules/magazine/articles.php?article=994 9

• The National Museum: Offers historical artifacts and cultural exhibits http://www.ghanatourism.gov.gh/regions/greateraccra_region.asp
• Du Boise Center for Pan-African Culture: Research institute and gallery dedicated to the African-American scholar http://www.ghanatourism.gov.gh/regions/greateraccra_region.asp
• Center for National Culture: Displays cultural artifacts and exhibits on regional history. http://www.ghanatourism.gov.gh/regions/greateraccra_region.asp
• Makola market: Marketplace selling traditional African goods and foodstuff http://www.ghanaexpeditions.com/regions/highlight_detail.asp?id=&rdid=33
• Labada Pleasure Beach: Accras main public beach http://www.ghanatourism.gov.gh/regions/greateraccra_region.asp

• Joseph A. Ankrah: Former President http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/people/pop-up.php?ID=119
• Marcel Desailly: French Footballer http://www.soccerbase.com/players_details.sd?playerid=2012
• Michael Essien: English Footballer http://www.transfermarkt.de/de/michael-essien/profil/spieler_5588.html
• Azumah Nelson: Boxer http://boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?human_id=000440&cat=boxer