Accra City Hotel has commemorated the 148th anniversary of the ‘City of Accra’ with a call for urban lifestyle renewal and preservation of heritage.
The event, held on March 19, 2025, marked the city’s founding in 1877 and brought together key stakeholders to reflect on Accra’s heritage while charting a path for its future.
Dignitaries from the Accra Metropolitan Assembly, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), financial institutions, and the media were present to grace the occasion.
In a brief background note, it was indicated that Accra, originally established by the Ga people, thrived as a trade hub long before the arrival of European settlers. The people traded in salt, fish, textiles, and agricultural produce, laying the foundation for the city’s growth.
At the time, its strategic coastal location and, later, the creation of the first port in Jamestown further enhanced Accra’s reputation as a centre of commerce and interaction.
Executive Director of Accra City Hotel, Nana Afriyie Adu Sarkodie, used the occasion to call for urgent restoration and protection of the city’s polluted water bodies, such as the Odaw and Korle lagoons.
“As a socially responsible corporate entity, we partnered with the Korle Klottey Municipality to desilt the Paloma gutter. When you go to London, you see the Thames; in France, there’s the Seine. But here, we continue to pollute the Odaw and Korle and that must change,” he said.
He announced a sustainability initiative where GH₵1 from every sale at the hotel will be dedicated to supporting the restoration of these rivers. “We want to see canoes and regattas on our rivers again,” he added.
Presidential Advisor on Diaspora Affairs, Kofi Okyere Darko (KOD), underscored the Accra city day celebration as a fitting tribute to the city’s enduring cultural and historical significance.
He praised organisers for promoting civic pride and engaging the diaspora in the city’s development narrative.
Adding to the call for transformation, Roberta Amoah, Greater Accra Regional Director of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), advocated for a united effort to build a modern, smart Accra without losing its identity.
“As we work towards building a smart city, we must not lose sight of what makes Accra special — its history, heritage, and cultural features,” she stressed.
She urged all stakeholders, government, private sector, and citizens to take collective responsibility in preserving the city’s legacy while embracing innovation.
The Abola Mantse, Nii Ahene Nunoo III, also called for intensified efforts to rid the city of filth, emphasising that a clean Accra is the shared duty of all. “Keeping our city clean is not a one-man job; it requires all of us,” he said.
The City of Accra @ 148 celebration not only honored the city’s founding fathers but also served as a platform to spark meaningful dialogue on urban renewal, environmental sustainability, and cultural preservation.
As the city continues to grow, stakeholders say a united front is key to building a cleaner, smarter, and more resilient Accra for future generations.
