Bead Markets at Odumase-Krobo & Koforidua | Ghana - Lonely Planet Forum

ONLINE

Mon, 03 Aug 2009 23:58:46 +0000

I'd like to go to the Koforidua and Agomanya bead markets when I'm in Ghana in September. I don't know whether it would be possible to go to each as a day trip from Accra, or whether it makes more sense to get a room Tuesday night at Odumase-Krobo, go to the Agomanya market on Wednesday, stay overnight, then go to Koforidua from there for the Thursday bead market.

How long does it take to get to the Agomanya market from Accra? How much is the tro tro fare? How long is the trip back from Koforidua to Accra? And what is the fare? Anything else I should know?

I'm using the Bradt Guide as a reference. It says it's possible to go to the Agomanya Market from Accra "at a push," but it doesn't give travel times.

Thanks in advance.

ONLINE

Wed, 05 Aug 2009 19:50:42 +0000

You get straight trotros from Madina (Accra North) to Agomenya. (roughly 90 minutes). The market is right on the main Madina - Kpong Road. The buses you can choose from, go to either Akosombo, Kpong or Ho. (You need to pay the full fare, even if you drop half way....so Ho will be twice the price). If you want the cheapest option. You can take a car going to Somanya. and then pick a local trotro from Samanya the last 5 minutes to Agomanya.

In Somanya, you can also visit the bead factory, where they'll be happy to give you a guided tour. (There's a sighboard on the right hand side of the road when coming from Accra). I think it's called Cedi Beads.
I don't know the coast of transport, but my guess is roughly 3GhC to Agomenya, and about the same to Koforidua. Accra- Kof.Town takes about 2,5 hours, I believe.

It's possible to make it as a daytrip from Accra, but when you're in Agomanya, I would recommend spending the night in Akosombo/Atimpoku (where the bridge is). There are nice relaxing low-cost accomodation on riverside.

There are buses in Somanya (5 minutes from Agomanya), heading straight for Koforidua.

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ONLINE

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 13:09:09 +0000

Also, if you want everything in one place and run out of time, T.K. Beads, a few kms past the first police barrier out of Accra heading towards Somanya and the beginning of the bead region, is a great all in one stop. You can see bead making and buy pretty much any bead from its shop.

All about life in Ghana
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ONLINE

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 19:07:55 +0000

Update: Am back from Ghana. Was able only to get to the Agomanya bead market. Friends drove me, so I didn't get an opportunity to use public transportation. The 2.5 hour time suggested to get there is about right.

I went to the bead market on a Saturday. Although it's a pretty big market, there were a lot of empty stalls. My friends told me that Saturday is traditionally funeral day in many villages, so that may explain why.

Cedi Beads was a great stop. The tour is brief but very informative, and the place is very interesting. Good quality and very good prices. The owner told me they sell reject beads to bead sellers who then sell the rejects at the Agomanya market! So it's worth your while to go to Cedi Beads and get the best.

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