People & Places: West Ridge - Where history meets modernity

In Accra, the nation's capital, the Ridge enclave is a prominent neighbourhood comprising West Ridge, North Ridge and East Ridge.

Originally planned as a neighbourhood for civil servants and businessmen in the colonial era, these areas have undergone significant transformation over the years, evolving from a quiet colonial administrative zone to a thriving commercial district. 

Specifically, West Ridge, located in the Accra Metropolitan District, forms a crucial part of Accra's Central Business District, tucked between Makola, Atta Mills High Street, and Independence Avenue.

The area's skyline is a testament to Accra's growth and ambition. From the north, it unfolds past the National Theatre, curling towards the African Unity Circle (Ridge Roundabout), while its southern edges brush against historic districts such as Ussher Town.

West Ridge boasts an impressive array of modern landmarks, including the Ecobank Ghana Head Office, Heritage Towers, Accra Financial Centre, and the striking Premier Tower.

The Bank of Ghana Towers, located within the Bank Square, home to the Headquarters of the Central Bank of Ghana, is a pair of sleek, state-of-the-art skyscrapers that tower above them all. Other notable structures in the area include the Ridge Tower, Cedi House, and World Trade Centre.

Despite the dominance of steel and glass, West Ridge retains its dignified roots.

The Ridge Church, the old Parliament House, and time-worn diplomatic residences remind us of a time when the district whispered rather than shouted.

The Accra branch of the British Council, located off Liberia Road, is another prominent landmark in the area.

The Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel, originally built as a gift from the United Kingdom to Ghana after independence in 1957, caters to business clientele and is a notable feature of the area.
The tension between colonial legacy and economic modernity, governance and globalisation, is visual, historic and symbolic in West Ridge.

The area's skyline doesn't just rise; it narrates the story of Accra's growth, ambition and evolution. It's a testament to the city's ability to blend heritage and modernity, creating a unique and dynamic urban landscape.