It’s that time of the year again, when the city is filled with IJGB’s (I Just Got back’s – Yes, that’s a thing), who’ve been away from Ghana for upwards of a year or less, and you know, a lot can happen within a year, especially in a city like ours where folks are constantly innovating and services stay disappointing.
So we’ve decided to update those coming back for the holidays, with a few tech tips and tools that could help them be productive, and also make their stay, a little bit more comfortable.
Hotel/Accommodation Booking
By far, Jumia Travel seems to be the most reliable hotel booking platform in Ghana. Not just because of the variety of hotel listings, but their local customer support, which is 24/7. If you intend staying in a hotel – they’re your go-to!
AirBnb is also a thing here. There’s a ton of listings on the site, in the Accra region. Although, you might want to go through the reviews to read from previous occupants and maybe, reach out to the hosts, to get all the info you need, before making the reservation.
meQasa.com also has a couple of short stay listings, so you might want to check them out as well.
Getting Around
So if you’re not into using Tro’ Tro’s to move around, there are a couple of ride-request options for you to pick from. There’s Uber, which is the most popular ride-hailing app in Accra. Due to the influx of people into the city this period, don’t be surprised that there might be a scarcity of rides in your area – but don’t fret, there are other options.
This year, Uru launched, and they’ve been doing very well. I’ve given them a try, and their drivers are well up to it. Since some of the Uru drivers are also on Uber, don’t expect a shorter waiting time. There’s also Coco Ride, which is only available to Android users, but from what I’ve heard, they’re also a reliable service!
We’ve also heard rumours of Taxify re-launching in Accra before the year runs out – We’d keep you up to date as to when this happens.
Connectivity
There are a few mobile networks to choose from, but pundits always recommend MTN or Vodafone (no shade at the others). Those two have the largest coverage and also have relatively well-priced data bundles for you to choose from.
In recent times, I’ve heard that during the harmattan period, their mobile network services aren’t that reliable, so you might want to patronize an ISP (Internet Service Provider). Surfline Ghana and Busy GH seem to have fairly priced 4G bundles and they have fair coverage in Accra.
Events
The city is usually bustling with a ton of events, sometimes it’s almost impossible to keep up. Also, purchasing some of these tickets could be a herculean task. Thankfully, platforms like AccraWeDey keep you up to speed with what’s happening in town on different days & you can head straight to EgoTickets or Purlieu to purchase tickets.
Cafes
If unfortunately, you’re still working while on holiday, and you need a quiet Cafe with strong enough wifi, Accra’s got you! Cafe Kwae would be my first choice, though it gets really busy, so there goes your quiet.
There’s also Vida e Caffe & D’Cafe, which are also common across town. I’d recommend the East Legon branch of Vida e Caffe. With any luck, you just might run into me. 😊
Food Ordering
Due to the heated traffic this period, travelling across town just to have your favourite dish might not be the best idea. Thankfully, there are apps that help you make this process less tedious. Thanks to solutions like Jumia food and Pizarea, you can order right to your doorstep.
Wait times vary, due to your location, but generally, both solutions work and come in very handy in a season like this.
Worthy Mentions…
You might also need:
ExpressPay: For quick airtime top-up’s and Mobile Money/Bank transfers.
GhanaPostGPS: For easy addressing & digital address generation.
We hope this list comes in handy! Did we miss anything? Let us know in the comment section below. Happy Holidays!!
