Nima, Accra

Nima is a Zongo residential town in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. The town is popular because of its market – the Nima market.[1] The name Nima has its etymology from the Ga Language which literally means the "city of the King". Nii means King in the Ga language, while the word city in the same language is mann. There have been a few contrasting views about the name, however, with some pointing to the town's Muslim community to say Nima was a reference to the Arabic word, "Ni'ma", which means blessings.

A weaver at Nima.

Nima is considered the largest and one of the oldest Zongo communities in Ghana with origins as far back as 1836. The settlement is often referred to as one-half of the twin community, Mamobi-Nima, though it is mostly used to refer to the two adjoining towns. Nima is a Muslim-dominated area. Like most Zongo communities, though, it exhibits great diversity in religion and ethnicity. One of the largest churches, The Church of Pentecost, is located along the main highway.

Origin

The history of Nima is contested by many. One of the dominant stories is that the area was acquired from the Osus by the Odoi Kwaos with intentions to farm. Some time later, though, it is believed the Odoi Kwaos offered the land to Malam Amadu Futa to be used as a settlement for strangers. The Futa family are, therefore, considered the founders of Nima.

Economy

Nima and its environs developed as a settlement for traders from the northern regions of Ghana and those from neighbouring countries such as Togo and Burkina Faso. It is a major trading hub in the capital. The Nima Market, known locally as Kasoa Mamudu, is one of the largest and busiest markets in Accra; it's located along the Al-Waleed Bin Talal Highway. Saturdays are market days, and the market is bustling with traders dealing in cereals, grains, vegetables, and livestock. The Nima Market is a great destination for spice lovers. It also has a number of vendors dealing in traditional medicines. People looking for fowls with unique or single colours for special rites often visit the Nima Market to make their selection. The streets leading to the market from Mamobi are lined with shops selling groceries and fashion items. There is also a huge contingency of forex traders on the street, with many black market sellers operating on both sides of the street.

Another market dealing mostly in vegetables is located a mile away in the twin town of Mamobi.

References
  1. "President Mills visit some markets in the Accra metropolis". www.vibeGhana.com. Retrieved 2 March 2012.


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