In the busy streets of the major Ghanaian cities, you can’t miss them: the cobla boys. These young men—sometimes older artisans too—carry tiny wooden workshops on their backs, ready to polish, clean or repair your shoes on the spot. More than just shoeshiners, they are living symbols of Ghana’s hustle, one brushstroke at a time. Get ready to learn all about the cobla boys of Accra and their role in Ghana’s informal economy
Who is the Cobla Boy?
Long before modern shoe repair shops or imported footwear became common, the cobla boy represented a mobile system of craftsmanship, self-employment, and service delivery that defined the urban Ghanaian hustle.
“Cobla boy” (or “kobla boy”) comes from Ghanaian Pidgin English, not an official title. Don’t let the word “boy” fool you—many are in their thirties or beyond, with years of experience. Others are teens learning the trade as a stepping stone. Some even inherit it: in Ewe, “Kobla” is a name for boys born on Tuesday, but among street artisans it’s become shorthand for mobile shoe craftsmen.
For many cobla boys, this is a lifetime trade passed down through apprenticeship. Others take it up temporarily as a means of survival or as a stepping stone to other opportunities.
They are typically seen walking through neighborhoods, markets, lorry stations, and office areas with a small wooden box in hand—this box carries everything they need for work: shoe polish, brushes, thread, needles, glue, nails, heel taps, sandpaper, sole sheets, and sometimes a hammer and knife.
Today, though their presence has reduced due to modernization, their craft still exists as a vital expression of Ghana’s informal economy and working-class traditions.
The Cobla Box: A Pocket Workshop
The cobla box is not just a container—it’s the mobile workshop of the artisan. Usually crafted from wood, it’s a cleverly designed piece of equipment with compartments for brushes, shoe creams of different colors, and often a flat surface on which shoes can be placed during polishing. Some even have a handle on top and a place for the client to rest one foot while the other is being worked on.
Usually the cobla box is carved into compartments for:
- Polish in black, brown and neutral
- Brushes (for applying and buffing)
- Thread, needles and glue for stitching and patching
- Spare soles, heel taps, sandpaper for quick fixes
- Mini hammer or knife for cutting and nailing
- Heel taps and small nails (for reinforcement and fixing clicking heels).
The Cobla Box is a cleverly designed piece of equipment with compartments for brushes, shoe creams of different colors.
Some boxes even come with a little footrest, so you can settle in while your shoe gets a shine that lasts days. This toolkit allows the cobla boy to operate flexibly and efficiently, often setting up temporarily wherever business calls.
Traditional Practices and Skills
Shoe repair and polishing in Ghana is more than a quick fix—it is a craft. Many cobla boys are trained through informal apprenticeship systems, often starting as young helpers to older cobblers. Over time, they learn the fine techniques of:
- Re-stitching leather uppers
- Replacing damaged soles
- Reinforcing shoe edges
- Properly applying and buffing polish for a long-lasting shine
- Identifying the right treatment for different types of leather or synthetic materials
Their knowledge often rivals that of trained artisans, even though it’s passed through observation and hands-on experience rather than formal education.
There is also an unspoken code of conduct among cobla boys—respect for customer property, honesty in pricing, and consistency in service are crucial for sustaining loyal clients.
On the Move: Serving the City
Unlike fixed shops, cobla boys bring their craft to you. Early mornings and late afternoons, you’ll hear their call—something like “Cobla ooo, shoe shine!”
One of the most unique aspects of the cobla boy system is its mobility. Unlike fixed shoe shops, these artisans bring their services to the people. In Ghana’s larger cities, especially during the early mornings or late afternoons, they often target:
- Business districts, offering quick shoe shines for workers heading into meetings
- Accra markets, where traders need durable footwear
- Residential neighborhoods, calling out to residents with a signature chant or call
This mobility allows them to serve a wide clientele—from white-collar workers to street hawkers—without the overhead costs of renting a shop.
Because they skip rent and utilities, they can charge just a few cedis per shoe, making their service both convenient and affordable.
The Cobla Boy and Ghanaian Identity
For many Ghanaians, seeing a cobla boy is as routine as hearing street hawkers in the morning. In the 1980s and ’90s, polishing your shoes before Monday assembly was almost ritual. Today, it still carries that sense of care: showing respect for uniformed workers, students, civil servants—and for your own appearance.
Many are known by name in their neighborhoods, and regulars will tip them extra on Fridays or holidays.
Cobla boys embody values Ghanaians hold dear: hard work, independence and community service.
Despite their cultural significance, cobla boys face a host of challenges today:
- Mass-produced cheap shoes from Asia are often not repairable, reducing demand.
- Urban regulations and harassment by city authorities affect their mobility.
- Declining interest among youth, who may see the trade as outdated or low status.
- Modern footwear trends, like sneakers and synthetic shoes, often do not require traditional polishing or stitching.
Challenges in the Modern Era
Despite some of these challenges, in high-traffic areas—around hospitals, courts or near taxi ranks—cobla boys still thrive. A few have set up small kiosks, added key‑cutting services, or even sell phone charging on the side. Some have adapted by setting up small kiosks or merging shoe repair with other services like key duplication.
Let us know in the comments if you’ve ever had your shoes shined by a cobla boy—and what you thought of the experience!
