One of the most popular markets in Ghana according to being amongst one of the most documented contents for markets is Makola Market. It is a renowned marketplace and shopping district in the center of the city of Accra, the capital of Ghana. A wide array of products is sold in the markets and its surrounding streets, from car parts to land snails. Many have described the place as where you can get anything you are looking for in the world.
Dominated by women traders, the market sells fresh produce, manufactured and imported foods, clothes, shoes, tools, medicines, and pots and pans. Jewelry made from locally handcrafted beads can also be found for sale in the market. Other foreign crafted ones too can be spotted through the stroll. About 25% of the 70% market women are employed in the Makola market.
It is quite an amazing place with lots of very narrow alleyways and women walking about with huge bowls and other packages on their heads. It is also a good place to shop for most things but very crowded most times. Get almost everything you need for your home at reasonable prices
The market is made up of a number of interconnected places, such as Jamestown, one of the original settlements in Accra; Kantamanto, the largest second-hand clothing market in Ghana; Okaishie; Rawlings Park; Cowlane; and the Memorial Garden, built in honor of Nii Tackie Tawiah III, one of the chiefs of the Ga people
Historical Background Of Makola Market
Makola Market was constructed in Accra in 1924 and stands at the heart of urban Ghanaian life. The market was the main wholesale and retail marketplace in Accra, the center of trade in the country, and one of the nation’s most important social and cultural institutions.
On 18 August 1979, 55 years after its creation, Makola Market was destroyed. The Rawlings government that agreed on the demolition of the center of trade in Ghana thought that pulling down Makola would improve the economy. Truly, there were accusations that various products which were banned in Ghana were still being sold in the
Market. In this way, the market women were accused of Ghana’s economic problems.
The market was featured in an episode on the travel channel show by Anthony Bourdain. During the episode, Bourdain walked through the market, where he sampled local wares and enjoyed a condensed milk-toffee drink made with local herbs
Shopping Guide For Makola 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 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.
Saving Tips When Shopping
1.Get rid of Your Debt
When one is saving money by budgeting but still has a large debt burden, start with paying off the debt. Here, you budget an amount to take care of your debt each month. Once you’re free from paying interest on your debt, that money can easily be put into savings.
2.Set Savings Goals
One of the best ways to save money is by knowing what you are saving for. If you need motivation, set saving targets along with a timeline to make it easier to save. Want to buy a home in three years with a 30% down payment? Now you have a target and know what you will need to save each month to achieve your goal.
3.Keep track of your spending
It is best to take note of what you spend on. When you know where your money is going it will make it easier to change if you need to.
4.Separate wants from needs
Most of us have fallen victim to impulse buying where we sometimes buy things we don’t need immediately. When money is tight it should not be spent unless absolutely necessary. So with this, we get extra money to save for emergencies.
Best Way To See Makola Market
There are so many ways one can explore or see the Makola market. For locals, we know our ways around it. But if you are new in Accra or Ghana the best way to see the market is with a tour guide. The Makola Market is very big and crowded, one may get lost or won’t know where to get the best deals. Seeing the biggest market in Ghana can be easy with a tour guide.
How To Get To Makola Market
READ MORE – ULTIMATE TRAVEL GUIDE TO GHANA
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 Makola 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 explore the capital, Accra. 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.