Kaneshie is a suburb located in Ghana’s Greater Accra Region’s Accra Metropolitan region. The name was taken from the Ga-Adangbe term “Kane Shie Shie,” which means “under the lamp” and refers to the area’s early days as a night market which is now the Kaneshie market. Arguably it is the second most popular market in Ghana after the Makola market. The Kaneshie market is also said to be one of the biggest markets in West Africa where women sit under huge straw hats behind piles of tomatoes, yams, beans, plantains, peanuts and rice and basins of dried fish or meat. Household items and textiles are also available on the upper floors. The market, on Kaneshie Mallam Road, is open daily from morning to evening. Food can also be purchased from roadside stalls.
The Kaneshi markets Limited is not only popular with locals but tourists visiting Accra, Ghana. It was built in the 1970s. During the 2015 Accra floods, the market was submerged and operations were forced to shut down but it is still operating now.
Shopping Guide For Kaneshie Market
Shopping in this market requires you to note some things down.
First of all, since the place is mostly congested and looks quite like a maze, you will need a guide or helper who is conversant with the place to show you around. Also, the guide can point out the right place to get some of the products you want.
Furthermore, you should keep your belongings well as you walk about the market. There are numerous people walking around very fast and you might fall a victim to pickpockets
One other thing to note is to make sure items are in good shape, especially with thrifts. When it comes to clothes you can seek permission from the seller to try them on.
It is best to wear comfortable clothes to enable easy movement around the market. This also helps you to try clothes on when the need be. Here it is best not to put on a lot of accessories as well.
Shop with a list of things you need and stick to the list to avoid overspending. With a wide range of goods, you might find yourself in debt if you don’t use a budget.
How To Get To Kaneshie Market
The best and most comfortable way to get to the market is by online taxi (uber or bolt). You just have to select the location on the map and the driver will take you to the market. Using the traditional taxi is another best way to get there. The market is very popular and all you need to do is to tell the driver to send you to Kaneshie Market. All these two ways are easy and comfortable but expensive. If you are not on a tight budget then this is the best option for you.
If you are on a tight budget, then the best way is to use the minibus (trotro). The mini-bus (trotro) is the cheapest way to get to Kaneshie. It is just annoying and stressful. You have to get down for someone to get in and there are also short stops on the way for others to get in, you won’t get that privacy.