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Ghana🇬🇭 | attractionsW.E.B. Du Bois CentreGranite tomb, Du Bois study, Pan-African archive, quiet lawns | things to do and best time to go

Explore Kwame Nkrumah Memorial ParkExplore National Theatre of Ghana

Backpacking in W.E.B. Du Bois Centre
🏆 Top pickattraction ranked #3
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

Many travelers assume this is a grand museum with a full timeline of the Pan-African movement. It is smaller and quieter than that: a modest compound of shaded lawn, a low house and a tomb. You will find it in Accra’s Cantonments district, a short ride from Osu, on Dr. Ernest Adjei Lane off Ringway Estate. Crowds are almost nonexistent, entry is cheap, and no one rushes you, though the exhibits are limited and you may be the only visitor. I stood at the granite tomb on a hot, humid morning, with cicadas rasping in the trees and the smell of cut grass and warm stone, and the traffic hum of the city faded to a murmur. Compared with Cape Coast Castle or Kakum, this has less spectacle and far more stillness. For anyone who has read Du Bois, that stillness is the point.

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✨ Why go?
Ranked #3 attraction in GhanaReasons people choose to visit here

Backpackers come because this is where W.E.B. Du Bois, the American scholar and co-founder of the NAACP, spent his last years and is buried. He moved to Ghana in 1961 at the invitation of President Kwame Nkrumah to lead the Encyclopedia Africana project, and he died in Accra in August 1963. The site gives you a personal, human-scale look at a man whose ideas shaped the Pan-African movement. It is one of the easiest cultural stops in Accra: cheap, quick and uncrowded. It also fits neatly into a Black history route through Ghana, alongside Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, the slave forts of Cape Coast and Elmina, and the Independence Arch. If your trip leans toward heritage and ideas rather than adrenaline, this is a worthwhile hour. You will see his study, his books, personal items and the tomb … read more 👉
Backpackers come because this is where W.E.B. Du Bois, the American scholar and co-founder of the NAACP, spent his last years and is buried. He moved to Ghana in 1961 at the invitation of President Kwame Nkrumah to lead the Encyclopedia Africana project, and he died in Accra in August 1963. The site gives you a personal, human-scale look at a man whose ideas shaped the Pan-African movement. It is one of the easiest cultural stops in Accra: cheap, quick and uncrowded. It also fits neatly into a Black history route through Ghana, alongside Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, the slave forts of Cape Coast and Elmina, and the Independence Arch. If your trip leans toward heritage and ideas rather than adrenaline, this is a worthwhile hour. You will see his study, his books, personal items and the tomb of both Du Bois and his wife, Shirley Graham Du Bois. You leave understanding why so many members of the African diaspora treat Ghana as a destination of return.

💡 HighlightsMust-see experiences and standout moments

  1. Du Bois Tomb: The granite burial site of W.E.B. Du Bois and Shirley Graham Du Bois is the emotional center of the visit. The shaded setting invites quiet reflection and is the most photographed spot.
  2. The Memorial House: Du Bois lived in this modest house during his final years in Accra. Walking through rooms where he worked grounds his big ideas in a real, ordinary home.
  3. His Study and Books: Shelves, a desk and personal effects show a scholar still working at 95. Look for the volumes, the typewriter and the sense of an interrupted project.
  4. Photographs and Exhibits: Displays trace his life from Massachusetts to Accra, including his role in the NAACP and Pan-African Congresses. The collection is small, so you can read everything without fatigue.
  5. Encyclopedia Africana Story: The project that brought
… read more 👉
  1. Du Bois Tomb: The granite burial site of W.E.B. Du Bois and Shirley Graham Du Bois is the emotional center of the visit. The shaded setting invites quiet reflection and is the most photographed spot.
  2. The Memorial House: Du Bois lived in this modest house during his final years in Accra. Walking through rooms where he worked grounds his big ideas in a real, ordinary home.
  3. His Study and Books: Shelves, a desk and personal effects show a scholar still working at 95. Look for the volumes, the typewriter and the sense of an interrupted project.
  4. Photographs and Exhibits: Displays trace his life from Massachusetts to Accra, including his role in the NAACP and Pan-African Congresses. The collection is small, so you can read everything without fatigue.
  5. Encyclopedia Africana Story: The project that brought him to Ghana is explained here. Staff often add context about Nkrumah’s vision for a continent-wide scholarly work.
  6. Gardens and Grounds: Lawns, trees and birdsong make this one of the calmer spots in Cantonments. It is a good place to sit and absorb what you have read.
  7. Library and Cultural Center Role: The center continues as a Pan-African cultural institution, and events or talks sometimes take place. Ask at the entrance about what is on.
I would start with the tomb. Seeing it first frames everything that follows, and you can return after the house with the story in mind.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do around W.E.B. Du Bois Centre

Experience the Beauty, History and the Culture Of Accra in a Day

Experience the Beauty, History and the Culture Of Accra in a Day

4.9(420) 6h
From €36
per personViator
Accra Guided City Tour: Cultural and Historical Experience

Accra Guided City Tour: Cultural and Historical Experience

4.8(230) 6h
From €35
per personViator
Accra Detailed City Tour

Accra Detailed City Tour

4.6(123)
From €86
per personViator
9 Days Private Black History Tour in Ghana

9 Days Private Black History Tour in Ghana

5.0(64) 216h
From €3,433
per personViator
10 Days Ghana Cultural and Heritage Trip

10 Days Ghana Cultural and Heritage Trip

5.0(44) 240h
From €3,170
per personViator
Ghana Heritage Tours - Beyond The Return

Ghana Heritage Tours - Beyond The Return

5.0(38) 192h
From €3,256
per personViator
The Golden Triangle

The Golden Triangle

4.9(31) 144h
From €2,155
per personViator
Full-Day Private Culture and History Tour of Accra

Full-Day Private Culture and History Tour of Accra

5.0(29)
From €91
per personViator
Experience Authentic Ghana in a Personalized Accra City Tour

Experience Authentic Ghana in a Personalized Accra City Tour

5.0(27)
From €91
per personViator
Accra City Day Tour-History,Culture,Markets&Independence Square

Accra City Day Tour-History,Culture,Markets&Independence Square

5.0(27) 6h
From €36
per personViator

Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?Weather, crowds, and seasonal trade-offs

  • Main Dry Season (November to March): Hot, hazy days of about 23 to 33°C (73 to 91°F), with Harmattan dust some mornings. Daylight runs roughly 6am to 6pm. This is peak travel time, so prices tick up slightly, though the memorial stays quiet.
  • Major Rainy Season (April to July): Humid, with heavy downpours, 24 to 31°C (75 to 88°F). Showers are usually short, and mornings are often dry enough for the lawn and tomb. Fewer tourists and softer hotel rates.
  • Short Dry Spell (August): Cooler and cloudier, around 23 to 28°C (73 to 82°F), with little rain. Du Bois died on August 27, 1963, and this period can be a meaningful time to visit.
  • Minor Rains (September to October): Warm and damp, 24 to 30°C (75 to 86°F), with occasional storms.
Arrive in the morning, before the midday heat builds.

source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: highly recommended for travelingFEBFebruary: excellent for travelingMARMarch: highly recommended for travelingAPRApril: fair for travelingMAYMay: fair for travelingJUNJune: fair for travelingJULJuly: fair for travelingAUGAugust: fair for travelingSEPSeptember: fair for travelingOCTOctober: fair for travelingNOVNovember: excellent for travelingDECDecember: highly recommended for traveling
ghana-attraction-w-e-b-du-bois-centre
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🛏️ Where to stay?Choosing the right base

Osu is the best base for backpackers visiting the memorial, and it is only a short taxi or rideshare away. It has the densest cluster of budget guesthouses and hostels in Accra, plus street food, bars, ATMs and a social scene where solo travelers meet quickly. Oxford Street, its main drag, stays lively late into the evening, so expect noise. Evenings are generally fine for walking in groups, but take a taxi after dark.

Cantonments and Labone, adjacent to the memorial, are quieter and greener. They suit travelers who want calm streets, easy access to cafes and a more residential feel, though options … read more 👉
Osu is the best base for backpackers visiting the memorial, and it is only a short taxi or rideshare away. It has the densest cluster of budget guesthouses and hostels in Accra, plus street food, bars, ATMs and a social scene where solo travelers meet quickly. Oxford Street, its main drag, stays lively late into the evening, so expect noise. Evenings are generally fine for walking in groups, but take a taxi after dark.

Cantonments and Labone, adjacent to the memorial, are quieter and greener. They suit travelers who want calm streets, easy access to cafes and a more residential feel, though options for the cheapest beds are fewer and prices run higher.

Airport Residential Area is convenient if you arrive or leave on a tight flight schedule. It has a handful of mid-range stays but less backpacker atmosphere.

Jamestown and Labadi suit those who want a grittier, more local experience with beach access, but they need longer rides to reach the memorial and are less suited to first-night arrivals. For most visitors, Osu offers the best balance of safety, social life and easy transport.
Best hostels in Ghana


Best quality hotels in Ghana

👛 Costs (as of 22 October 2026)Typical daily expenses

A visit costs about US$3 to 10 for most backpackers, since entry is modest and the site is a short ride from central Accra.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Entrance ticket (non-resident adult)US$3 to 6Paid in cedis at the gate. Foreign visitors pay more than Ghanaians, and student rates may be lower with ID.
PhotographyUS$0 to 3Camera permits may be requested for professional equipment. Phone photos are usually accepted.
Guide or staff explanationUS$0 to 5Staff often walk visitors around. A tip is appreciated but not required.
Rideshare or taxi from OsuUS$2 to 5Bolt and Uber are widely used in Accra. Agree a fare before boarding a street taxi.
Trotro (shared minibus)US$0.30 to 1Cheapest option, but routes are confusing and the last stretch is usually on foot.
Snacks and waterUS$1 to 4Little food
… read more 👉
A visit costs about US$3 to 10 for most backpackers, since entry is modest and the site is a short ride from central Accra.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Entrance ticket (non-resident adult)US$3 to 6Paid in cedis at the gate. Foreign visitors pay more than Ghanaians, and student rates may be lower with ID.
PhotographyUS$0 to 3Camera permits may be requested for professional equipment. Phone photos are usually accepted.
Guide or staff explanationUS$0 to 5Staff often walk visitors around. A tip is appreciated but not required.
Rideshare or taxi from OsuUS$2 to 5Bolt and Uber are widely used in Accra. Agree a fare before boarding a street taxi.
Trotro (shared minibus)US$0.30 to 1Cheapest option, but routes are confusing and the last stretch is usually on foot.
Snacks and waterUS$1 to 4Little food on site, so buy drinks and bites nearby in Osu or Cantonments.
Souvenirs or booksUS$3 to 15A small shop may sell books and crafts. Prices vary.
Entry fees and exchange rates change, so carry some cedis in small notes. Cards are not reliably accepted.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

FAQCommon questions from travelers

Plan on 1 to 1.5 hours. That is enough to walk the house, read the exhibits and spend a few minutes at the tomb. Add 30 minutes if you want a staff-led explanation, and pair it with the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, about 15 to 25 minutes away by car, for a half-day of heritage sights.
Yes for anyone interested in Pan-African history, since entry costs only about US$3 to 6 for non-residents. You get Du Bois’s house, study, books and tomb in a calm garden, which is good value in Accra. If you have no interest in the history, the small collection may feel thin, and you could skip it.
Take a Bolt or Uber from central Osu, which usually takes 10 to 20 minutes and costs about US$2 to 5 depending on traffic. The memorial is in Cantonments, Accra, on Dr. Ernest Adjei Lane. Trotros run in the area for under US$1, but they require transfers and a walk, so rideshare is easier for first-timers.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Ghanaian attractions near W.E.B. Du Bois Centre

Explore more nearby:

  • Artists Alliance Gallery—Omanye House floors, fixed-price art, Krobo beads, carved stools| 3 km away
  • Osu Castle—Presidential history, Gulf of Guinea fort, Danish-built, Accra waterfront| 4 km away
  • National Theatre of Ghana—Chinese-built auditorium, Accra performances, concerts and plays, curved roof| 5 km away

💡 Not sure where to go next?
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We 💚 feedbackSumming up the experience

Go for the quiet. Standing at the tomb of a man who spent his last two years in Accra, working on a book he never finished, is moving without any spectacle. The drawback is size: it takes about an hour, and the exhibits are sparse if you arrive without background reading. Read a little Du Bois first and it lands far harder.

✈️ When did I visit Ghana?
Ghana I visited in December 2024, starting in Accra following the coast, then up north to Mole National park to finish in the Volta Region.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Ghana, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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