Bead-Making in Accra
String your own Ghanaian glass beads into jewellery you’ll actually wear — and learn the colours, patterns and meaning behind Ghana’s famous Krobo beads while you do it.
In Ghana, beads aren’t just decoration — they mark birth, marriage, womanhood and celebration, one colour at a time.
What are Ghanaian beads?
Ghana’s most famous beads are made by the Krobo people from recycled glass — bottles and old beads ground to a powder, packed into clay moulds, fired in a kiln and painted by hand. The result is the bright, chalky glass bead you see strung into bracelets, necklaces and the waist beads that carry deep meaning in Ghanaian life. In this class you’ll thread your own piece and learn what the colours say.
What to expect
Design your piecePick your colours and pattern — a bracelet, a necklace, or a set of waist beads.
String & knotLearn to thread, space and finish your beads so the piece holds and hangs right.
Wear it homeYour finished jewellery is yours to keep — made by you, on the day.
Relaxing & socialAn easy, hands-on session that’s perfect for couples, friends and families.
The Bead-Making Experience
- ~2 hours with a hands-on bead artisan
- Ghanaian glass beads, thread and tools provided
- The jewellery you make, to keep
- Pickup & timing handled by the Akwaaba team
- All skill levels · groups & private options
What Ghana’s bead colours mean
Like kente, Ghanaian beads speak in colour — worn for different life stages and occasions:
Where do Ghanaian beads come from?
The heart of Ghana’s glass-bead craft is Krobo, around Odumase and Somanya in the Eastern Region, about two hours from Accra — home of the famous Cedi Bead Factory and the big Agomanya bead market. The powder-glass technique has passed down for generations. Short on time in the capital? This class brings the same craft and story to Accra.
Make it part of a bigger trip
Tie & Dye Workshop →Dye your own cloth by hand and pair it with your beads.
Frequently asked questions
Can I make beads in Accra?
Yes. Akwaaba runs a hands-on bead-making experience in Accra where you design and string your own jewellery with a local bead artisan, then take it home.
How long is the class?
About two hours — enough time to design your piece, learn to string and knot it, and finish something you can wear that day.
How much does it cost?
The experience starts from $24.26 per person. Group and private sessions are available on request.
Do I keep what I make?
Yes — the jewellery you string is yours to take home and wear.
Is it suitable for beginners and children?
Absolutely. No experience is needed and it’s a relaxed, family-friendly session.
What are Krobo and waist beads?
Krobo beads are Ghana’s famous recycled-glass beads, made by the Krobo people of the Eastern Region. Waist beads are strands worn around the waist that traditionally mark womanhood, celebration and beauty.
Ready to make something you’ll wear?
Book your bead-making class in Accra — hands-on, colourful, and yours to keep.
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