Makola Shopping Mall — Local services in Accra

The name Makola as it stands now has a historical background. It is two Ga words joined -mako- and -la-; mako means (I will take) and la means (fire). Standing literary, it means I will take fire. In the Gold Coast (present day Ghana), the areas of trading points Makola no.1 and Makola no.2 had a Perpetual fire where dwellers go to in time of need. It was not only at a point but many points of the area. There were custodians who made sure the Fire never quench. Makola is now a 'Brand' name that "propels" women in business. The Makola Shopping Mall is female-centric. A lot of activities or businesses pertain to women. I found myself coming onto the road or street alongside the ECG/GWCL head offices and leading towards the direction of Rawlings Park of Accra business center. On reaching the Makola Shopping Malls and to give one an idea of its situation one can perceive that the stretch of the buildings of Ghana Law School, Methodist Book Depot and the King Tackie Statue grounds has on their opposite stretch and a street in between Makola Shopping Mall customers car park, CBG building, the Makola Shopping Mall(old), a central building and the Makola Shopping Mall(new). Today's early morning's dull weather made it difficult for me to get a picturesque photo though I like natural side of things. There are two (2) different Makola Shopping Malls. I will call it the Old and the New. The Old shopping mall is quite of age. It has its Customers Car park at the right inner side near the Consolidated Bank Ghana (CBG); whilst the New shopping mall has basement Car park. The Old mall(building) has a very small size compared to the New very huge structure which has five (5) floors with a small attached six (6) floors and three (3) floors of the Old shopping mall. There is a big business building between the two Shopping Malls. The New is alongside two separate streets and it looks magnificent. The outside numerous displays of various business Notifications would give one an insight into what do go on at the various business floors. The Old shopping mall has a continues joint stalls in a big semicircular form on each floor. The New mall has a very modernized open but secured glassy stores and some likewise stalls in a spacious business attendant to customer interactions per each floor. Attendants do have alacrity here. Security personnel are on the alert. One can be in a wheelchair and yet be able to visit all floors . The New Mall may take advantage of the Total House Clinic and the Old Mall has its Rehoboth Catering Service the later at the Top floor and the former at the second(2nd) floor. In no particular order the Makola Shopping Malls has First National Bank, Crystal Mat(Body Image), City Gold(Home of Quality Jewellery), City Bridal(Wholesale and Retail), National Investment Bank, Magvii Ventures, The Boy Fashion (Fashion Jewellery), Afua 1 2 3( Miss Doan Ent.), Afripride Wig Shop, GTP(Timeless), De Time Center, Gift and Parcel, Makola Forex Bureau, Becky Wigs Collection, Black Pearl(fashion), Sleek(MakeUp) and Black Se cret(MakeUp). Hair and Beauty is always a center of a Woman's attention despite Cloths and the Makola Shopping Malls do solve concerns of both...

Everyone in Ghana knows that the Makola shopping Mall is one of the most versatile and busiest markets in Accra and probably Ghana. The mall is situated as it's name close to the Rawling park in Accra.

Over the years it has been the place mothers often run to for affordable household items like food, school items, cookware, clothes and general goods and services. I can remember as a child when my parents would take my siblings and I to Makola for our Christmas clothes, toys and treats(Piccadilly biscuits). Now we can see major improvements at the location.

The mall has several stores that sell a wide range of goods and services. For a bride to be, the shopping Mall should be the first on your list to visit when looking for your bridal clothes and accessories. What's more, each floor is connected with wide staircases and elevators to make your movements easy and quick and we can't forget about the parking places.

They have a basement carpark and 2 other parkings on the 3rd and 4th floors(I stand to be corrected on this) the parking charge now stands at GHC 8.00 which is a little steep for me but I can understand a little since they provide security. I cannot speak on washrooms because I haven't inquired myself but I'm sure there should be a provision.

As I mentioned earlier, they have several stores but you still cannot find everything you will need there so most people visit surrounding stores and vendors and sometimes hawkers for their shopping needs.

If you must visit the area be ready for the overcrowding of people and vehicles among other thing. I especially feel that the sun shines the hottest ( yes, that's exactly what I said) when I visit the area and I sweat profusely and have been close to dehydration a time or 2 so don't forget to go with a bottle of water but if you don't, worry not yourself there are water hawkers everywhere.

I hope you find everything you are looking for when you visit. Just be ready to do a lot of walking...

My second time visiting this place. Normally, I hate markets, as people tend to pace around slowly, while I'm there on a mission to buy something and get out. So, going to a market like Makola is my worst nightmare coming true. That said, the pace here is unlike anything I've experienced in my life. It's very fast, almost how I imagine stock markets operate. I got run over a couple of times as I was not moving quick enough, looking at all the impressions and literally watching where I'm placing my foot. It's choatic, unorganised, smelly, and alive. It's a summary of Accra. It's one of the few places I like being during my stay in Accra. The street food that is made in front of you, is just incredible, the coconut vendor, I literally buy whenever I see one, and then merchants, some charming, some aggressive. All in all great fun. The haggle for the prices is something I really dislike. While I love to negotiate big deals at work, negotiating in Africa as an African from the diaspora leaves you with a bitter taste that you're not accepted. Not in the West and not among those you consider...