Shopping & Markets Guide to Ghana 2026

1. Makola Market, Accra

Best for: Textiles (ankara, wax print, kente), jewellery, shoes, bags, and the quintessential Accra market experience.

Accra's largest and oldest market — a sprawling, chaotic, exhilarating labyrinth. Thousands of traders sell everything imaginable. The textile section is legendary.

• Location: Central Accra, near Kwame Nkrumah Circle
• Hours: 7am-6pm Mon-Sat (busiest mornings)
• Bargaining: Essential — start at 40% of asking price

2. Kejetia Market, Kumasi

Best for: The largest open-air market in West Africa. Kente cloth, adinkra stamps, beads, traditional herbal medicine.

Over 10,000 stalls spread across a massive area. The new Kejetia Market (partly modern, partly traditional) is being redeveloped. Come for kente at source — Ashanti weavers bring directly from surrounding villages.

• Location: Central Kumasi
• Hours: 7am-6pm daily
• Tip: Get a guide from your hotel. Kejetia is impossible to navigate alone the first time

3. Arts Centre (Centre for National Culture), Accra

Best for: Tourist souvenirs, carvings, drums, masks, kente strips, beads, leather goods.

A purpose-built craft market aimed at tourists. Prices are higher than Makola but the selection is curated and the experience is more manageable. Good for first-time visitors.

• Location: Barnes Road, near Independence Square
• Hours: 9am-6pm Mon-Sat
• Bargaining: Expected and vigorous

4. Global Village, Accra (Trade Fair)

Best for: Diverse West African crafts, beads, jewellery, leather from across the region.

Artisans from Ghana, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger sell their crafts. Tuareg jewellery, Burkinabe bronze, and Ghanaian beads side by side. More relaxed than Makola.

• Location: La Trade Fair Centre, Accra
• Hours: 9am-5pm Mon-Sat

5. Bonwire Kente Village

Best for: Authentic kente cloth, directly from the weavers. Watch the weaving process and buy at source.

The birthplace of kente weaving, 18km from Kumasi. Men weave on narrow strip looms under the shade of trees. Buy directly and get the story behind each pattern.

• Location: Bonwire village, near Kumasi
• Hours: Daylight hours
• Tip: Each kente pattern has a name and meaning. Ask the weaver to explain — it makes the purchase special

6. Osu Night Market, Accra

Best for: Street food, secondhand books, casual goods, and a night-time Accra experience.

• Location: Oxford Street, Osu
• Hours: 6pm-11pm

• Ivory: Strictly illegal under CITES. Heavy penalties. Do not buy any ivory products
• Wildlife products: No animal skins, bones, or products from protected species
• Counterfeit goods: Fake designer items will be confiscated at customs in the UK/US/EU
• Antique artefacts: Genuine ancient items may be classified as national heritage. Export is restricted. Buy clearly modern reproductions
• Unlabelled cosmetics: Some skin-lightening creams sold in markets contain mercury or hydroquinone — dangerous and illegal in many countries

Bargaining is expected and enjoyed in Ghana's markets. Ghanaians are warm negotiators — it is social, not adversarial.

1. Greet first: "Ete sen?" (How are you? in Twi). A greeting goes far in Ghana
2. Ask the price: "Ey3 s3n?" (How much? in Twi). Even basic Twi wins huge smiles
3. Counter at 40-50%: Start at about 40% of the asking price
4. Smile and enjoy: Ghanaians bargain with humour. Laugh, joke, and take your time
5. Walk away if needed: Works every time. The vendor will call you back
6. Final price: Aim for 50-65% of asking. Both sides should feel happy
7. Buy multiple: Always ask for a discount when buying more than one item from the same vendor

• Ghana export: No ivory, no national antiquities, no more than $10,000 cash without declaration
• UK allowance: £390 duty-free for personal goods. Kente cloth, beads, and crafts are fine. No restricted animal products
• US allowance: $800 personal exemption. Keep receipts for items over this threshold
• Cocoa/shea butter: Generally fine to bring through customs in reasonable quantities for personal use. Check your country's agricultural import rules

• Cash (cedis): Essential for markets. Bring small denominations (GH₵5, 10, 20)
• MTN MoMo: Widely accepted. Many market vendors have MoMo accounts. Useful backup
• Card: Malls and formal shops accept Visa/Mastercard. Not accepted in traditional markets
• USD: Some tourist-facing markets (Arts Centre) accept USD but at poor rates. Use cedis

• DHL: Offices in Accra and Kumasi. 5-10kg to UK/US: $70-180. Most reliable option
• FedEx: Available in Accra. Similar pricing to DHL
• Arts Centre shops: Some will package and ship internationally for large purchases (negotiable)
• Pack it yourself: Kente cloth, beads, and shea butter pack flat/light. Bolga baskets can be flattened for suitcases and reshaped later