Introduction

The Airport Residential Area is one of Accra’s most prestigious neighbourhoods—where wide tree-lined streets, embassies, and luxury apartments sit side by side. A stone’s throw from Kotoka International Airport, it is both a symbol of Ghana’s modern identity and one of the safest real estate investments in the city. But to understand why Airport Residential commands such status, you have to go back to its roots in the late 1950s and early 1960s.

A Story of Airport Residential: From Independence to Prestige

When Ghana achieved independence in 1957, Accra needed to reflect a new national vision. Planners set out to design neighbourhoods that would look and feel modern—green, orderly, and international. Out of this ambition came the 1958 Town Plan, which mapped out the Airport Residential Area as a neighbourhood for senior civil servants, diplomats, and expatriates who would help shape the young nation.

The design itself told a story: wide avenues lined with trees, generous plots, and low-density homes with gardens. It was the opposite of Accra’s older, crowded quarters. Living here was meant to symbolise progress—Ghana’s future was to be cosmopolitan, forward-looking, and comfortable.

In the 1970s, key institutions cemented the area’s reputation. A standout was the opening of Nyaho Medical Centre in 1970, still one of Ghana’s top hospitals today. Health, security, and diplomacy all gathered here, and by the 1980s the area had become home to ambassadors, executives, and some of Accra’s wealthiest families.

Fast forward to the 1990s and 2000s: Ghana’s economy liberalised, foreign investment grew, and Accra expanded. To the north of Airport Residential, a bold new project took shape: Airport City, launched in the late 1990s. It was designed as a business and hospitality hub, and it transformed Airport Residential. Suddenly, the leafy neighbourhood found itself next to five-star hotels, Grade-A offices, and an international business district. With it came a new wave of luxury apartments and serviced residences designed for corporate tenants and global buyers.

Today, the story of Airport Residential is one of continuity and reinvention. What began as an elite enclave for a young Ghana is now a globally recognised investment district, balancing heritage homes with high-rise towers. The one constant? Its reputation as a safe, prestigious place to live and invest in Accra.

Today’s Identity

Airport Residential is now both residential and commercial. Its villas, townhouses, and modern apartments attract diplomats and corporate executives, while embassies, NGOs, and Grade-A offices sit close by. Nyaho Medical Centre remains a landmark, complemented by five-star hotels and shopping/dining options. With Airport City next door, the area continues to combine convenience, prestige, and international demand.

Property Market Snapshot

Figures based on meQasa listings, August 2025. USD conversions: BoG mid-rate (US$1 = GHS 11.4000).

Illustrative ROI Examples

Scenario A: Apartment Investment

• Purchase price: GHS 15,155,396 (≈ US$ 1,329,421)
• Avg rent: GHS 40,136/month (≈ US$ 3,521) = GHS 481,632/yr
• Gross yield: ≈ 3.2%
• Net yield (after 5% vacancy, 8% mgmt, 8% rent tax, GHS 600 service charge/month): ≈ 2.5%

Scenario B: Detached House Investment

• Purchase price: GHS 20,903,038 (≈ US$ 1,833,600)
• Avg rent: GHS 71,196/month (≈ US$ 6,245) = GHS 854,352/yr
• Gross yield: ≈ 4.1%
• Net yield (after 5% vacancy, 8% mgmt, 8% rent tax, 1 month rent for maintenance): ≈ 2.9%

These examples show Airport’s challenge: entry prices are high, so yields are modest. But stability, prestige, and consistent demand make it a low-risk, long-term investment.

Investor FAQ

Who rents here?

Corporate executives, diplomats, NGO staff, and high-net-worth Ghanaians who want prestige, security, and quick access to the airport.

How high are service charges?

Typically GHS 200–1,000/month (≈ US$ 18–88), higher for premium serviced blocks.

What taxes apply to rent?

Residential rent attracts an 8% final withholding tax on gross rent (non-residential: 15%).

Can foreigners buy here?

Foreigners cannot own freehold but can acquire leaseholds (usually 50 years, renewable). Always confirm tenure at the Lands Commission.

What drives long-term growth?

Scarcity of land, diplomatic/expat demand, adjacency to Airport City, and established social infrastructure like Nyaho Medical Centre.

Bottom Line

Airport Residential combines heritage, prestige, and investment stability. It is not the place for quick, high-yield returns—but for investors seeking long-term security in one of Accra’s most defensible addresses, it remains unmatched.

Sources

• Accra: A Plan for the Town (1958)
• Nyaho Medical Centre – 50 Years History
• Airport City commissioning (1998) – Sage Journal
• meQasa – Apartments for Sale
• meQasa – Houses for Sale
• meQasa – Apartments for Rent
• meQasa – Houses for Rent
• GRA – Rent Income Tax
• Accra Metropolitan Assembly – Property Rates FAQs
• Clinton Consultancy – Land Ownership for Foreigners
• Bank of Ghana – Daily Interbank FX Rates (29 Aug 2025)