The extent of the urbanized areas of Accra is assessed from Landsat-TM satellite images for the year 2002 and compared to similar information for the years 1985 and 1991. A texture-based classification method is applied. The results show that the urbanization of the fringe areas of Accra is occurring at a pace that has increased from 10 km² per year for the period 1985-1991 to 25 km² per year for the period 1991-2002. This development is subsequently discussed with focus on the unplanned and haphazard nature of the growth and the corresponding absence of adequate infrastructure and service provision.