Osu Night Market in Accra, Ghana
People enjoying themselves at the Osu Night Market in Ghana
Photos by : Seyiram Kweku
Listen to this article
Accra, the capital city of Ghana, has many exciting places to visit. Even though the city is pretty small, its hidden gems are numerous. One popular place to visit is Osu night market. There are several night markets in Accra, but few can be compared to this one. Osu is a lively and active part of Accra with many restaurants and shops that are open well after midnight. It's no wonder Osu night market is so popular. The market is not very big, at least compared to other markets in Accra like Makola market and Madina market but has a lot to offer, especially the fact that it's open till very late at night.
Many sellers
You may be able to buy just about any local grocery at Osu night market. They have it all from tomatoes, eggs, a bottle of ketchup, or even a tin of milk. Behind tabletop stands, you will find many sellers displaying their products. A lot of busy workers pass by the market when they close from work to shop for foodstuffs. Here they get the convenience of shopping at a time that works for them.
Two men cooking at Osu Night Market
Photos by : Seyiram Kweku
The most popular sellers at the Osu night market are those who sell food. The variety of foods offered for sale at very reasonable prices is exciting. Kenkey and fish, spicy fried plantain as well as other local dishes can be found here. Continental foods like fried rice, kebabs, and rice with gravy are also available. There are options to eat there, but most people prefer to take the food away.
Good for bargaining
Like many local markets in Ghana, prices are quite flexible. At the Osu night market, except when buying ready-to-eat foods, you can bargain your way into a good deal. Sellers are willing to give discounts, especially for products purchased in high quantities. If you need a bucket or two of tomatoes, you can haggle to get a really good price. Most women who cook for large households take advantage of this and make huge savings when they shop. It's always fun to get a bargain.
When bargaining for a purchase, it's important not to start too low, or else the seller may be offended. Shaving off a few Cedis won't be a bad idea because the seller needs to make a profit after all.
Minimum human congestion
If you have ever been to a local market in Accra you will notice that it's often packed with people. These markets offer the best prices for products and are therefore extremely popular. Interestingly enough, because the Osu night market opens throughout the night, it sees fewer people, and as such, it's more comfortable to move around and shop. At these times too the weather is cooler, so it reduces the sweat and stuffiness of shopping in the day. This makes a much more comfortable shopping experience. Thus, it is popular among tourists and expats who prefer to walk around in Accra's cooler temperatures.
Even though the market is smaller than most, it stays open till very late at night, so people come and leave at various hours. This keeps it a lot less congested. The busiest hours at the market are between 5 and 7pm when most workers have closed and made it there to grab a fast dinner or essentials.
Entertainment activities
Osu is by far the most vibrant part of Accra. There are often events happening at various corners. Osu is popular for carnivals, live band displays, art fairs, and lots more. These events ultimately drive traffic to the night market. It's very common to have people pass by the Osu night market to grab something to eat or drink or do some little shopping before going home after attending one of these events. This is a guaranteed way to get a wide variety of affordable foods and a place to wind down and have a meal.
The Osu Street carnival, one of Accra's biggest events, usually held in December, generates some of the most significant traffic to the market. Since the carnival location is near the market, many people take a stroll there. Most tourists visit the market to try out local Ghanaian foods. Here you can be sure to find the authentic Ghanaian experience. Most of the sellers speak decent English, so purchasing is not much of an issue at all.
One thing that makes the Osu night market special is that the market is open in the day as well but with a different set of vendors. This creative use of the small space makes it generate income for a whole lot of sellers. Whenever you are in Accra make it a point to visit this vibrant and fun market, and you will be glad you did.