East Legon, Accra: From Farmland to Prime Suburb
East Legon, Accra: From Farmland to Prime Suburb
Currency note: All USD figures use the Bank of Ghana mid-rate of US$1 = GHS 11.4000 (29 Aug 2025). Conversions are indicative only.
Introduction
Mention “East Legon” in Accra today and people think of affluence, entrepreneurship, and a bustling lifestyle. Yet only a few decades ago, much of this land was open farmland on the eastern fringe of the city. Today, East Legon is one of Accra’s most dynamic suburbs—home to gated communities, malls, restaurants, and some of the capital’s highest-value properties. Its story is one of transformation, driven by diaspora investment, local entrepreneurship, and the city’s eastward expansion.
The Story of East Legon’s Transformation
In the 1970s and early 1980s, the area east of Accra was semi-rural, dotted with farmland and small settlements. The city’s established elites gravitated instead to Cantonments, Airport Residential, and Roman Ridge. But Accra was growing fast, and pressure for new land created opportunities on the outskirts.
East Legon’s real turning point came in the late 1980s and 1990s. As Ghana’s economy liberalised, returnees from abroad—the “diaspora investors”—began acquiring land and building family homes here. The large plots, relative affordability, and flexibility of design gave them freedom to create villas and small estates not possible in the older planned enclaves.
By the early 2000s, East Legon had become a byword for modern Ghanaian success. New roads linked it more firmly to the Tetteh Quarshie Interchange, Kotoka International Airport, and central Accra. Accra Mall opened in 2008, becoming a retail anchor. A&C Mall had already set the tone as a local community hub, with banks, supermarkets, and gyms. Together, these lifestyle anchors shifted East Legon from a suburban experiment to a mainstream premium address.
Today, East Legon reflects the ambitions of a rising middle class and the diaspora: vibrant, entrepreneurial, and constantly reinventing itself. Its streets are lined with boutique hotels, restaurants, lounges, and schools—making it both a lifestyle hub and a serious investment market.
Modern Identity
- Lifestyle: Cosmopolitan dining, gyms, lounges, and hotels.
- Retail anchors: Accra Mall (regional) and A&C Mall (community).
- Residential fabric: Gated estates, custom-built villas, and an increasing stock of apartments and townhouses.
- Location: Easy access to airport, Spintex, and central Accra via the Tetteh Quarshie Interchange.
Property Market Snapshot (East Legon)
| Metric | GHS | USD (≈) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apartments for Sale (avg) | GHS 3,268,000 | US$ 286,667 | meQasa listing averages |
| Houses for Sale (avg) | GHS 5,520,000 | US$ 484,211 | meQasa listing averages |
| Apartments for Rent (avg/month) | GHS 15,600 | US$ 1,368 | Typical 2–3BR apartments |
| Houses for Rent (avg/month) | GHS 25,200 | US$ 2,211 | Premium villas |
All figures as of Aug 2025. USD conversions use BoG mid-rate of 11.4000.
Illustrative ROI Examples
Scenario A: Apartment Investment
- Purchase price (avg): GHS 3,268,000 (≈ US$ 286,667)
- Rent (avg): GHS 15,600/month (≈ US$ 1,368) → GHS 187,200/yr
- Gross yield: ≈ 5.7%
- Net yield (5% vacancy, 8% mgmt, 8% rent tax, GHS 400 service charge/mo): ≈ 3.8%
Scenario B: Detached House
- Purchase price (avg): GHS 5,520,000 (≈ US$ 484,211)
- Rent (avg): GHS 25,200/month (≈ US$ 2,211) → GHS 302,400/yr
- Gross yield: ≈ 5.5%
- Net yield (5% vacancy, 8% mgmt, 8% rent tax, 1 month rent for maintenance): ≈ 3.7%
Yields are stronger than in Airport Residential thanks to lower entry costs, though tenant profiles are more mixed—ranging from entrepreneurs to NGOs and young professionals.
Investor FAQ: East Legon
1) Who are the typical tenants?
Mainly young professionals, returnees from the diaspora, SMEs, NGOs, and families who want a vibrant lifestyle near the airport and central Accra.
2) Is demand more for houses or apartments?
Historically villas dominated, but apartments and townhouses are growing fast, especially near retail anchors. Corporate tenants often choose apartments; families prefer detached homes.
3) What are service charges like?
Gated estates and apartments: typically GHS 200–800/month (≈ US$ 18–70), depending on amenities.
4) What drives long-term growth here?
Proximity to retail (Accra Mall, A&C), continued diaspora investment, flexible land use for estates, and strong rental demand from returnees and expatriates.
5) Is East Legon oversupplied?
Supply is growing, especially in apartments, but demand remains strong given the area’s reputation, location, and lifestyle amenities. Quality and micro-location are key.
Bottom Line
East Legon’s rise from farmland to one of Accra’s most prestigious suburbs mirrors Ghana’s growth story. For investors, it offers a middle ground: lower entry costs than Airport Residential, but with vibrant demand, lifestyle appeal, and respectable yields. For homeowners, it remains a symbol of status and success. In short: East Legon is not just a place to live, it’s a statement.