Draft:Cantonments Road
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| Second Circular Road | |
 | |
| Type | Diplomatic and residential corridor |
|---|---|
| Owner | Accra Metropolitan Assembly |
| Maintained by | Urban Roads Department (Ghana) |
| Length | 3.8 km (2.4 mi) |
| Location | Accra, Greater Accra Region, Ghana |
| Quarter | Cantonments, Labone, Osu |
| Coordinates | 5°34′34″N 0°10′24″W / 5.5760°N 0.1734°W |
| North end | Jubilee House / Liberation Road |
| South end | Ring Road East / Labone |
| Other | |
| Known for | Embassies, restaurants, schools, and high-end residences |
| Status | Active |
Cantonments Road, also known as the Second Circular Road, is a major diplomatic and residential corridor in Accra, Ghana. It runs parallel to Oxford Street in Osu, connecting Jubilee House near Liberation Road to the Ring Road East and Labone. The area surrounding the road is one of Accra’s affluent neighbourhoods, hosting foreign embassies, international schools, and boutique hotels.[1][2]
History
[edit]Cantonments was established during the colonial period as a residential zone for senior British administrators and military officers. The road system, including Cantonments Road, was laid out in the 1940s as part of Accra’s early urban planning framework. After Ghana’s independence in 1957, many of the colonial bungalows were replaced or renovated into diplomatic residences and official missions.[3][4]
Route and overview
[edit]Cantonments Road extends from the area around Jubilee House and Liberation Road southwards through the heart of Cantonments, intersecting with the Ako Adjei Interchange and connecting to Ring Road East near Labone. The corridor features tree-lined streets, embassies, gated compounds, schools, and upscale restaurants.[5]
Landmarks
[edit]Notable institutions and landmarks along Cantonments Road include:
- United States Embassy, Accra[6]
- Morning Star School[7]
- Ako Adjei Park, a public recreation space and community landmark[8]
- Embassy of Switzerland, Embassy of China, and several other diplomatic missions[9]
Residential and commercial profile
[edit]Cantonments Road and its environs are among the most desirable addresses in Accra, featuring gated residential estates, international schools, and diplomatic compounds. Real estate values in the area are among the highest in Ghana, driven by its security, green environment, and proximity to the city’s core business districts.[10][11]
Boutique hotels, restaurants, and cafés have also emerged along the route, including Bistro 22, Capital Café, and Vine Lounge, making the area a hub for diplomatic and business dining.[12]
Infrastructure and planning
[edit]The Accra Metropolitan Assembly and Department of Urban Roads have periodically undertaken improvement projects on Cantonments Road, including road resurfacing, drainage upgrades, and pedestrian walkways. The area is also part of Accra’s “Green Corridor” initiative to promote sustainable mobility and enhance urban aesthetics.[13][14]
In popular and travel media
[edit]Cantonments Road is often featured in travel guides and diplomatic briefings as a symbol of modern, secure, and high-end urban living in Accra. Its tree-lined avenues and embassies are frequently depicted in media coverage of Ghana’s international relations and expatriate lifestyle.[15][16]
See also
[edit]- Oxford Street, Accra
- Liberation Road, Accra
- Spintex Road, Accra
- Transport in Ghana
- Greater Accra Region
References
[edit]- ^ "Cantonments, Accra". GhanaWeb. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
- ^ "Cantonments: Accra's most secure and exclusive enclave". Graphic Online. 14 August 2024. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
- ^ Grant, Richard (2009). Globalizing City: The Urban and Economic Transformation of Accra, Ghana. Syracuse University Press. p. 44. ISBN 9780815631970.
{{cite book}}: Check|isbn=value: checksum (help) - ^ "The Cantonments Story – Accra's Colonial Legacy". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
- ^ "Cantonments Area Guide". Meqasa. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
- ^ "U.S. Embassy Accra". United States Embassy in Ghana. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
- ^ "Morning Star School, Accra". Morning Star School. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
- ^ "Accra's green spaces: the future of urban parks". Graphic Online. 8 March 2024. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
- ^ "Foreign Embassies in Accra". EmbassyPages. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
- ^ "Cantonments Real Estate Overview". Vaal Real Estate. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
- ^ "Accra's high-end residential areas continue to attract investors". MyJoyOnline. 21 February 2024. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
- ^ "Top Restaurants in Cantonments". TripAdvisor. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
- ^ "Government to improve road networks in Accra's diplomatic enclave". Graphic Online. 22 July 2023. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
- ^ "Accra Green Corridors Initiative". Environmental Protection Agency Ghana. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
- ^ "Lonely Planet – Accra City Guide". Retrieved 6 November 2025.
- ^ "Accra's Cantonments: Where diplomacy meets lifestyle". BBC News. 3 June 2024. Retrieved 6 November 2025.