Kaneshie Market, market in Accra, Ghana
Kaneshie Market is a marketplace on the west side of Accra with two main levels where hundreds of vendors sell their goods. The lower level focuses on food items like yams, spices, and smoked fish, while the upper level displays clothing, fabrics, and household goods, with stalls extending into the surrounding streets.
The market started as a night trading spot lit by lanterns, which is how it got its name 'under the lamp', and grew after Ghana's independence with migration to the city. A new building with three floors was constructed in the 1970s and opened in 1979, followed by expansions in the 1980s and 1990s.
The market started as a night trading spot, and its name Kaneshie means 'under the lamp' in the local language. Today, people from the city gather here daily to shop, negotiate prices, and interact, making it a place where everyday life and local trading customs are on full display.
The market is open daily from early morning until around 7 pm and can be reached on foot or by taxi and minibuses. Wednesdays and Saturdays are the busiest days, so visiting on other days tends to be more relaxed and parking is easier to find.
The market's name comes from its past as a trading spot under lanterns at night, with vendors working after sunset to escape the heat of the day. This nighttime tradition gives the market its particular character and sets it apart from other markets in the city.
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