A work assignment has brought me back to Ghana, the friendly country in West Africa, bordering the Gulf of Guinea, and neatly tucked between the French-speaking countries of Côte d’Ivoire and Togo, with Burkina Faso straddling its northern border. Last year, I visited Big Ada and had the amazing opportunity to run in this rustic town, absorbing the vibe, energy and vibrant colours, and always finishing on the sandy shores of the Volta River.
This time our work is in Atimpoku, a small town in the Eastern Region of Ghana. As we arrived past 10pm on Saturday, we had to spend one night in Accra, Ghana’s bustling and fast-growing capital with a population of over 5 million. Although we planned to leave for Atimpoku quite early on Sunday, I couldn’t pass up this wonderful opportunity to run in Accra.
I had read and my friend Sandra had shared that the best place to run in Accra is on the University of Ghana campus and the Legon Botanical Gardens. The univeristy is known for its serene campus with quiet roads and paths, and a gorgeous green canopy. But being a bit of a history buff, I was keen to visit the Black Star Square which is a huge public square, commissioned by the revolutionary leader Kwame Nkrumah after he became President, to celebrate his nation’s newfound independence from Great Britain.
I had it all planned – from my hotel in Airport City, I would hop onto Liberation Road, then Castle Drive, and finally Starlets 91 Rd. My main worry was that this out-and-back would be about 16km in hot and humid conditions where I had no clue about the roads or the terrain. At 6am, I grabbed a 500ml bottle as well as my waist bag with a gel, my phone, hotel card and some money, just in case I needed to taxi back! The gate guard gave me good directions to Liberation Road. I now regret not asking more questions about my overall route.
The humidity hit me as soon as I exited the hotel but the occasional breeze made things easier. Liberation Road is a huge motorway with a wide sidewalk and at that time of morning, there were not too many people about, but the trotros (mini-buses) were already hustling at full speed with the conductor soliciting business from the open window. Exactly like Gaborone!
When I came to a huge intersection with the most epic pedestrian bridge, I panicked. On the map, the intersection hadn’t seemed this huge. I decided it wasn’t worth crossing over. So I turned right and found myself in direct line with Accra Mall. I turned right onto Spintex Road where there was some bustling action as people set up stalls and a man was selling something very enthusiastically over a loudspeaker. I continued and turned onto Airport Bypass Road. At this point, I knew Black Star wouldn’t be on the cards today. This road didn’t have a very comfortable shoulder. I was forced to run on the yellow line so as soon as I got the opportunity to hop off it, I did. I then found myself facing the Accra Polo Club.
I continued until I reached Liberation Road again, took a small detour onto Airport Road, and then back onto the main road. I decided to pass my hotel so I could bring my mileage to 10km. What I didn’t know then but found out when I got back to the hotel was that I’d been wrong from the start of my journey. When I first got onto Liberation Road, I should have gone left instead of right! So I was right not to cross that huge intersection by Accra Mall. But never did I think or even imagine that I was headed in the wrong direction all along!
So it wasn’t the run I’d planned! But nonetheless I got a great workout – the hills and humidity actually made for good training and I’m happy I got to explore a new city. I appreciated the wide sidewalk and I got to see some of the city’s modern architecture. I also loved all the bill-boards, some of them funny but many of them very family-focused – a laughing or hugging older couple, a young family and one that read, “Always on point, just like mum!”
One day I will take you to Black Star Square but it wasn’t to be on this run! As I write this, I’ve arrived safely in Atimpoku and I’m planning my week. I can’t wait to bring you all along with me!
I hope you enjoyed running with me in Accra! Where did you run this week? Have you ever gone right instead of left?
I’m joining two fabulous runners, Kim from Running on the Fly and Deborah from Confessions from a Mother Runner for their link up – the “Weekly Run Down”.
The Gaborone Runner 
This sounds like a great adventure! I love exploring via runs, you see so much! That first part of the road had a lovely big sidewalk, but running without one would be a little scary in such a busy town.
Very cool, Shathiso!
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You see so much more than you do in a car/bus etc. I feel so happy I saw a small part of Accra on foot! Will always cherish this experience and hopefully one day I will make it to Black Star!
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Sometimes the unexpected runs turn out to be the most fun! My 3-mile never-miss-a-MOnday run, last week, had a similar fate. I had a 3ish mile route I”d run adn walked several times, but I opted to detour into the neighborhood, assuming one of the streets would take me back out to the main road. WRONG. Well, I did find my way back out, but had to do some backtracking and extra looping, etc., so my 3-miler wound up being a 4-miler when all was said and done. But, I did get to explore a new neighborhood 😉
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Haha!! Love this story and the best part is you got to explore a new neighbourhood… with a bonus mile thrown in the mix!
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Well that was an adventure for sure! Good thing you turned around when you did. I took a wrong turn in Austin and ended up Ubering back to my hotel because I had gotten so far away. I have never seen a billboard with “lmfao” on it!
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I loved that billboard! Glad, I’m not the only one who has taken a wrong turn and happy you were able to Uber back!
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Oh, phew, I was worrying you’d got lost or something! So easy to go wrong straight away. Looks really interesting and I appreciated seeing the architecture, too.
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Would have loved to see more of the historic sites but so happy I got it done! Hopefully I get another chance one day!
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I’ve had many a run that way especially new places. But you got it done. Hope the next day goes as planned.
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At least I’m now in a very small town! Simple streets and not much that can go too wrong!
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Well, it sounds like an adventure! I’m glad you didn’t get hopelessly lost. Running in a new area like that definitely helps the miles speed by. Have a great week!
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Thankfully, even though I’d gone wrong from the start at least I was quite aware of the roads I was taking and where the hotel was!
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It is always fun to have an unexpected adventure by foot! I have taken wrong turns while traveling as well and have had to consult google maps to get me back!
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So happy to read many of us have gotten lost! I give all of us top points for being adventurous!
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Love that you take us with you. I have done that wrong turn so many times, even when I know the route.
Have a great work week
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So happy to read I’m not the only one!!
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Well that was certainly an adventure, that’s for sure!
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🤣🤣 Indeed!
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I have definitely taken the wrong turn many times! And I have gotten spectacularly lost in some European cities, although so far, knock on wood, I’ve always found my way back. Eventually.
Glad you enjoyed your run despite the direction snafu!
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I like the “eventually” 🤣🤣 No wonder people think we’re crazy! As a non-runner I never would have just ventured out in a strange city. Now I happily run 10km most of it in the wrong direction! LOL!
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Oh, those times getting lost in Europe we’re just walking! In Prague I had already begun to run, but the location wasn’t conducive to running so ran on a treadmill in the hotel & couldn’t figure out the pace since it was in KM (never thought to look that up before I left & since it was Europe & long ago, didn’t have a cell phone.
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Running in a new place always brings adventure, doesn’t it?! Glad you made it work 🙂
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It sounds like a great adventure all the same! Thank you for always sharing!
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And sometimes the runs that don’t go according to the plan end up being the most memorable ones!
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