Read Your Way Through Accra

What should I read before I pack my bags?

Nii Ayikwei Parkes’s “Tail of the Blue Bird” brings the city of Accra to life. This slender novel takes place in Accra and Sonokrom, a small village. Kayo, a forensic pathologist working in Accra, is compelled by a high-ranking police officer to investigate a disturbing discovery in the village.

The novel’s poetic writing and vibrant dialogue, infused with Ghanaian language and expressions, make it a joy to read. Through Kayo’s work, social outings, and interactions with the police, we witness different facets of life in Accra. His time in Sonokrom and encounters with the village’s intriguing residents provide insight into how those outside the city center perceive Accra.

For those who prefer nonfiction, Ato Quayson’s “Oxford Street, Accra: City Life and the Itineraries of Transnationalism” provides a comprehensive overview of the city. The book traces Accra’s history, from a fishing village to a port town during British colonial rule, to a bustling metropolis that attracts people from across the country and beyond. Using Oxford Street, a lively commercial thoroughfare, as a focal point, Quayson captures the essence of the city, highlighting how individuals engage with each other and their environment. Explorations of the salsa and gym scenes underscore the transnational nature of life in Accra.

What books or authors should I bring along with me?

Accra takes center stage in Yepoka Yeebo’s “Anansi’s Gold: The Man Who Looted the West, Outfoxed Washington, and Swindled the World.” This nonfiction work delves into one of the most audacious scams of the 1970s and ’80s, orchestrated by John Ackah Blay-Miezah, a charismatic Ghanaian. Blay-Miezah lured thousands of investors worldwide with promises of substantial returns linked to a fictitious trust fund supposedly established by Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first president. While targeting victims globally, Blay-Miezah’s dealings with government officials and business figures in Accra facilitated his scheme and ultimately led to its downfall. The book offers a meticulously researched and captivating account of politics and finance in post-independence Ghana.

Murder mysteries can also provide a window into Accra. In Kwei Quartey’s “Sleep Well My Lady,” a female detective’s inquiry into a murder sheds light on the lives of both the affluent and the less privileged in the city. Kobby Ben Ben’s “No One Dies Yet” presents a tale of mystery and sensuality in Accra, blending elements of Ghanaian culture with its diaspora.