By: John S. Morlu II, CPA
In 2010, at the Ghana Audit Service 100-year anniversary, I said Ghana was Liberians’ Florida.
Update: it’s not just Liberia anymore. Accra is West Africa’s Florida. Period. Stamp it. Frame it. Bring sunscreen.
Why the comparison slaps
- Sun, sand, soft life: Palms for days, beaches for selfies, and sunsets that make you text your ex “We move.”
- Weekend migration: Lagos, Abidjan, Monrovia, Freetown—everyone’s group chat says the same thing: “Accra this weekend?”
- Honeymoons & honey-do’s: From quick weekend getaways to full wedding parties, Accra is the regional “Yes, let’s.”
Florida → Accra (Unofficial Translation Guide)
- Miami Beach → Labadi / Bojo / Sandbox
- Spring Break → Detty December (all month, no syllabus)
- Cuban sandwich → Kelewele + suya + shito combo
- Everglades gators → Osu traffic + one determined goat
- Disney lines → Waakye lines + Kotoka selfie queue
- Florida Man → “Accra Guy buys 3 bottles, MoMo declines, still dancing.”
Field Sightings (Seen With My Own Two Eyes)
- Carry-on Champions: Nigerians landing Friday with one bag and Friday-night energy.
- Abidjan Convoys: French streak of style at Cantonments rooftops—perfume enters five minutes before they do.
- Diaspora Uncles: Socks + sliders at East Legon brunch, discussing “my estate project” (still at lintel level since 2018).
- Weekend Warriors: “Two days in Accra” that mysteriously become ten.
Fun facts & tiny truths
- Accra time: “I’m five minutes away” = I just found my keys.
- MoMo is a love language: If they say “send MoMo for fuel,” you’re family now.
- Toothpick economy: The toothpick-to-chops ratio after midnight is world class.
- Beach horses: You will ride one. Your friends will film it. The horse will not sign the release.
48 Hours in Accra-Florida (starter pack)
Friday: Osu for small chops → Amapiano somewhere with fog machines → Uber that plays your playlist better than you do.
Saturday: Jamestown photos → Labadi beach horse → East Legon brunch → nap → rooftop, shisha, questionable decisions.
Sunday: Waakye, church, airport—posting captions like “touchdown soon,” but you’re already late.
Pack list: Passport, power bank, party stamina, small cedis for chops, big smile for bouncers. Sneakers that can apologize.
The economics of vibes
- Hotels & short-lets: Peak on weekends and Detty December—prices do push-ups.
- Restaurants: Book or beg. Or both.
- Transport: Surge pricing at 2 a.m. will teach you humility and budgeting.
Business note: This isn’t just party talk—tourism + events + food + fintech = a real GDP side quest. Vibes have receipts.
Exhibit A (personal history)
Back in 2010, I told a packed hall: Ghana is Liberia’s Florida.
Today? Ghana is West Africa’s Florida—the region’s default vacation button. When in doubt, Accra.
Closing punchline
If West Africa had a timeshare, it would be in Accra—sunny, social, and suspiciously good at making you extend your stay.
Come for the weekend. Stay for the waakye.
And if anyone asks why, tell them: It’s Florida, chale—without the hurricanes.
Bonus Pack: The Florida-fication of Accra
Honeymoons, “Honey-Moons,” and Soft Life Getaways
Everyone—and I mean everyone—comes to Ghana for weekend getaways and honeymoons:
- Honeymoon math: 3 nights, 4 photo shoots, 12 coconut drinks, 1 horse ride at Labadi you’ll never post because the horse won.
- Couple itinerary: Sandbox sunset → candlelit seafood at Osu → slow walk on the beach → argue about jollof vs banku → make up over gelato.
- Suite truth: Short-lets in Airport Residential have seen more proposals than ring catalogs.
- Pro tip: Book a room with backup power + water tank. Love is patient; NEPA isn’t.
Weekend Archetypes (Spot Your Friends)
- The Lagos Layover Crew: Hand luggage only. Arrive Friday night, leave Monday morning, still “working remote.”
- The Abidjan Aesthetics: Perfume heavy, heels higher, photos immaculate. Speak soft, spend loud.
- Monrovia–Freetown Faithfuls: Loyal to East Legon brunch culture. Eat, gist, nap, repeat.
- Diaspora Uncles & Aunties: Estate updates over smoothies. “My site is moving” (it is not).
- The “Two Days in Accra” People: Stay ten. They always stay ten.
Neighborhood Micro-Guide (Florida Edition)
- Osu = South Beach: Sidewalk energy, small chops, street style.
- East Legon = Boca Raton: Quiet money, louder brunch.
- Cantonments = Coral Gables: Diplomatic calm, embassies, perfect hedges.
- Labone = Fort Lauderdale: Chill, classy, sneaky expensive desserts.
- Airport Residential = Palm Beach: Old money meets new waist trainers.
Fun fact: A café with velvet chairs means your card is about to do cardio.
Festival & Party Calendar (Mark Your PTO)
- Detty December: Spring Break but with better outfits.
- Chale Wote (Jamestown): Street art + DJs + face paint your parents will question.
- AfroFuture (formerly Afrochella): Diaspora link-up + beats + new slang you’ll pretend you knew.
- Easter in Kwahu: Paragliding + hiking + “I saw my classmate!” energy.
Tiny truth: In Accra, “new year, new me” starts January 10. We rest first.
Tourist Tasting Menu (No Regrets)
- Waakye diplomacy: Choose all the toppings. Don’t ask prices; accept destiny.
- Kelewele at midnight: Plantain with personality—ginger and pepper on 100.
- Tilapia + banku: Eat with your hands; feel powerful.
- Shito: Ghana’s black gold. Handle with respect (and water).
Toothpick Index: The more toothpicks on your plate, the better your night went.
Photo Ops That Always Slap
- Independence Arch at sunset (angle up; hide your forehead).
- Jamestown lighthouse (retro drama).
- Labadi beach golden hour (filter: “I woke up like this”).
- Osu Oxford Street neon (proof of life).
- Rooftop cityscapes (Cantonments, Airport—breeze included).
Pro tip: Bring a power bank. Beauty drains batteries.
The Economics of Vibes (Serious but Funny)
- Hotels & short-lets surge weekends and December—your budget will start a gym membership.
- Ride-hailing at 2 a.m. will humble your wallet and test your patience.
- Restaurants: If you didn’t book, you’ll host your own waitlist.
- MoMo is a love language. If someone says “send fuel,” congratulations—you’re family.
Business note: Vibes have receipts—tourism, events, food, and fintech are a mini GDP engine in sneakers.
48 Hours in Accra—Deluxe Edit
Friday: Check in → Osu small chops → rooftop DJ → say “last one” three times.
Saturday: Jamestown pics → beach horse → East Legon brunch → nap → shisha + suya → new best friends.
Sunday: Waakye → church (or sleep like a saint) → airport → promise to return in “two months” (you’ll be back in three weeks).
Packing list: Passport, sunscreen, sneakers with apology notes, cedis for chops, hydration plan (adulting).
The People You’ll Definitely Meet
- Table Plug: “My guy is coming.” He is not. He never does.
- Soft-Life Aunty: Perfume arrives five minutes ahead; bills fear her.
- Finance Bro: Converts cedis to dollars out loud. Loudly.
- DJ Philosopher: Fades the song before the chorus and still shouts “One more time!” (It will be three more times.)
Accra vs. Florida: Scorecard
- Sunsets: Tie (but Accra’s come with grilled tilapia).
- Nightlife: Accra (Amapiano + waistlines that can’t lie).
- Traffic: Also Accra (we win… unfortunately).
- Sand quality: Florida (Accra’s sand is gritty—like your ex).
- Food at 3 a.m.: Accra. Kelewele does not miss.
Tiny Phrasebook (Use & Shine)
- “Akwaaba!” — Welcome! (You’ll hear this every 5 minutes.)
- “Chale!” — Bro/hey/yo/omg/all-purpose starter pack.
- “Ɛyɛ nice paa!” — It’s very nice! (Say this about jollof; make friends instantly.)
Safety with Style (Keep the Soft Life… soft)
- Share your ride, order five minutes before you actually need it, and keep small notes for late-night chops.
- Phone at chest height, not above your head (pickpockets do shoulder day).
- Hydrate like you have a future.
Final Wink
Back in 2010, I said Ghana is Liberia’s Florida.
Today? Ghana is West Africa’s Florida—the region’s default vacation, staycation, and “let’s see where this goes” button.
Come for the weekend. Stay for the waakye.
📖 Coming Up Next: Chapter 30: Operation Onion: How to Beat the “You-Own-a-Car” Tax in Gomoa
Author: John S. Morlu II, CPA is the CEO and Chief Strategist of JS Morlu, leads a globally recognized public accounting and management consultancy firm. Under his visionary leadership, JS Morlu has become a pioneer in developing cutting-edge technologies across B2B, B2C, P2P, and B2G verticals. The firm’s groundbreaking innovations include AI-powered reconciliation software (ReckSoft.com) and advanced cloud accounting solutions (FinovatePro.com), setting new industry standards for efficiency, accuracy, and technological excellence.